Alyssa Koci received her bachelor of arts degree in Communicative Sciences & Disorders and Spanish, and a masters of science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Midwestern University. As the speech-language pathology (SLP) team lead at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Alyssa provides clinical care to children birth to 16 years old, as well as provides professional development and clinical support to the team of speech-language pathologists company-wide.
For Alyssa, mentoring SLPs to provide the best clinical care for their clients is the most rewarding part of the job, and she enjoys creating opportunities for clinicians to to grow at any level of their career.
Alyssa's passion for speech-language pathology can be traced back to her uncle, when he was diagnosed with ALS. Her uncle’s SLP fully supported his communication throughout his life and assisted in his changing feeding and swallowing needs. Alyssa strives to provide this for her clients across the lifespan.
When Alyssa is not keeping busy with play-based therapy, sitting on the ground with Mr. Potato Head, you can find her cross-stitching on the couch with her dog. Ask her about the game show The Price Is Right... she may have had a special appearance!
Simone Light is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who specializes in pediatrics, particularly early intervention. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Applied Behavioral Sciences, with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education and Intervention, from the University of Kansas in 2018. There, she spent nearly three years teaching in an ABA-inclusive preschool classroom, working on various research projects as an undergraduate research assistant, and providing 1:1 support to autistic clients.
Simone completed her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at the University of Missouri in 2020. There she spent two years as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) working in the Severe Behavior Clinic, conducting Functional Analysis (FAs) for those who needed it throughout the state of Missouri, assisting, and conducting her own research, and accruing hours to become aBCBA.
Since becoming a BCBA in 2020, Simone has worked in a variety of settings, including pre-schools, schools, homes, clinics, and throughout the community. Simone approaches ABA through a neuro-affirming, child-led, trauma-informed, and strength-based lens.
Cara Newman is an occupational therapist certified through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She earned her Master's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2013 and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
As OT and PT Clinical Director at NSPT, Cara provides services to clients as well as clinical mentorship and support to the OT and PT team scompany wide. Cara’s interest in using her movement knowledge in a therapeutic setting started while supporting a therapeutic dance program based out of the Krannert Center for Performing Arts in Urbana, Illinois. Cara has worked with pediatric populations for her entire career, starting in Early Intervention (0-3) and transitioning to working both in outpatient pediatrics as well as an intensive therapeutic PreK & Kindergarten program prior to starting at NSPT.
Cara has experience working with clients with a variety of diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, CHARGE Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Global Developmental Delay, PURA Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Sensory Processing Differences among others. Cara enjoys using developmental movement concepts to help her clients accomplish their goals. When not working, Cara is likely reading or running.
Lainie Cohen received her Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University and her Master’s in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University in Boston. As a Center Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Lainie provides supervision and mentorship to a team of great therapists including BCBAs, OTs, Mental Health, and Speech Therapists. She also provides supervision to field work students as they study to become a BCBA and oversees the day to day operations at the Des Plaines center.
For Lainie, increasing clients' functional communication is the most rewarding part of the job, as well as watching therapists grow in the field. Lainie is passionate about supervising and teaching individuals who have an interest in the ABA field, as well as parents, to gain more knowledge regarding implementing skill acquisition goals and behavior intervention plans.
When Lainie is not busy at the center, you can find her trying new restaurants with her husband!
Ryan Emry received his Bachelor of Science from The Illinois Institute of Technology, and his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As an Area Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Ryan works as a clinician while also supporting a great team of Behavior Therapists, Behavior Analysts, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists, across multiple centers.
For Ryan, watching our children learn and grow is the most rewarding part of the job.
When Ryan is not keeping busy at the clinic, you can find him spending time with his wife and two amazing daughters.
Liza received her Bachelors of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences with Minor in Psychology from Indiana University, and a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As a Regional Director and BCBA at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Liza oversees the clinical operations of the Chicagoland locations, as well as provides internal clinical support to our BCBAs, leads the internal ABA apprenticeship fieldwork study program preparing students pursing their master’s in ABA to become BCBAs, and also serves as our internal ACE coordinator providing internal continuing education events to our team of BCBAs.
In addition to her role at NSPT, Liza also has served as an adjunct professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology teaching master’s courses to future BCBAs. For Liza, expanding the reach of our services to new communities and areas where there are limited options on comprehensive pediatric therapy providers is the most rewarding part of the job, and she loves growing the field through her work with student mentorship.
Liza's passion for pediatrics can be traced back to her 1birthday, when she started her own business teaching water safety skills and stroke lessons to children in her community.
Ellie Gatz is in her Clinical Fellowship Year and has her temporary license in the state of Illinois. Ellie attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for her undergraduate degree, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.
Ellie has worked at North Shore Pediatric Therapy (NSPT) since June 2022. Before starting at NSPT, Ellie participated in two full-time internships in her last semester of graduate school. These internships were in a school setting in Rochelle, IL and a skilled nursing facility setting in Manitowoc, Wi. Her greatest area of interest includes implementing high- and low-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and expressive and receptive language disorders. Ellie has a history of working as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has a large passion to work with this population.
Ashley Schroeder is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist licensed in Illinois. Ashley attended the University of Iowa and earned her bachelor's degree in communication sciences and Disorders. She earned her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders at Arizona State University. Ashley has experience working with children from 3 years of age through transition age within home and school settings. Ashley completed her clinical fellowship in Mesa, AZ at a preparatory academy working with students from kindergarten through 12th grade. During her time in Arizona, she also worked for home health, providing treatment and evaluations for children between the ages of 3-15.
Since returning to Illinois, Ashley has worked for a special education cooperative, where she serves students from kindergarten through transition age within the school setting. Ashley has worked with clients to address expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, pragmatic language deficits, and implementing high- and low-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Ashley has a passion for working with all clients including children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Madeleine (Maddie) Wiggins is the Lead Assistant Clinical Coordinator and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at North Shore Pediatric Therapy. Maddie works under the supervision of the Clinical Director, Simone Light, and supervises the RBT's who work one-on-one with the clients. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, and her Master of Arts in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Maddie has held her RBT credential for 4 years and has obtained over half of her BCBA fieldwork hours.
She has worked with children with Autism, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy for 15 years across various settings including schools (kindergarten through high-school grade levels), in-home services, and clinics. Maddie has vast experience training staff and helping individuals learn how to navigate speech generating devices and picture-exchange communication systems. She loves getting to see the progress that each child makes as a result of the services they are receiving and how that leads to greater independence and joy in their lives. She worked as an Inclusion Assistant for the North East DuPage Special Recreation Association creating and modifying camp activities to encourage the inclusion of each individual present to not only participate, but thrive at camp.
In her free time, you can find her enjoying the lakefront, sharing meals with family and friends, or walking her Labrador Retriever.
It’s important that your child feels respected, safe, and understood during therapy. At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, we believe in providing care that’s not only effective but also neuroaffirming, respectful, and focused on what each child and family needs to lead independent and happy lives. Our approach values each child’s unique way of participating and empowers parents as essential partners in their child’s journey.
Explore all of our therapy locations! We are dedicated to making high-quality pediatric care accessible to families across various regions. Below, you'll find a complete list of our centers, each offering a range of services, including speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health services, autism testing, and diagnostic testing. Click on any location to learn more about how our services can support your child’s growth and development!
