Therapy isn’t just about milestones—it’s about progress that feels meaningful for your child and family. Starting early allows us to meet your child where they are, celebrate every win, and help them grow in ways that matter most to you.
We hear this a lot. Here's why:
Kailee Chonko received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Illinois State University in 2011 and Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University University in 2017. As a BCBA and Center Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Kailee oversees and provides services to children with autism, as well as provides supervision and mentorship to BCBAs and BCBA students, RBTs, and speech, occupational, and mental health therapists.
Kailee's passion for helping children can be traced back to high school, when she began babysitting for a neighbor with special needs. For Kailee, seeing progress with her clients and watching them grow is the most rewarding part of the job, and she loves working with little ones who are just beginning their ABA journey.
When Kailee is not keeping busy with her clients, you can find her at the beach or exploring the city!
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 Vice President of Clinical Quality & Training 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.
Megan Lappe is a former educator with 20 years of experience in teaching, specializing in early childhood education and special needs support. Holding a Master of Arts in Teaching, she has developed a strong foundation in teaching strategies and child development.
Megan has recently begun her journey becoming an RBT, and is in graduate school to become a BCBA. She is committed to fostering growth and development in children and making a positive impact on their lives.
Megan is mom of three children ages 11, 13 & 14. She loves spending time outside with her family and friends.
How We Care
From the very first conversation, we get to know your child as a whole person — their strengths, their personality, what makes them light up. Then we build a plan around them and your family's everyday life, because real progress has to fit the people living it.
Every plan starts with the child in front of us, not a standard package of hours. We look at who your child is and what they need right now, and we adjust as they grow.
A plan only works if your family can live it. We weigh your routines, your priorities, and your family's wellbeing so therapy supports your whole household, not just a calendar.
We guide and coach you every step of the way, because the most meaningful progress keeps going at home, long after a session ends.
Your child is never a diagnosis or a number to us. We get to know the person you love, and we measure success by the moments that matter to your family.
Talk with our Woodridge team about the right support for your child. After filling out our form, you'll find: free consultations, a complimentary benefits check, and a quick, personal reply from our team.
Contact usEvery service below exists to close a real gap in your child's day — at home, at school, with friends. Here's what we work on, and why it matters.
Our BCBAs build programs around your child's strengths, interests, and what matters most to your family, then adjust constantly as they grow, learn, and surprise everyone. Great ABA is playful, connected, and shaped by your child’s voice, and that’s the standard we’re known for.
Explore ABA Therapy at NSPT →
Our mental health clinicians support children ages 3+ in understanding their emotions, building regulation strategies, and feeling more at home in their own minds, while keeping families informed and connected throughout.
Explore Mental Health and Social Work →Our physical therapists support children who are building gross motor skills, coordination, strength, and balance — because every child deserves to move through the world on their own terms.
Explore Physical Therapy →Our in-house neuropsychologists provide comprehensive autism evaluations for children 18 months and up. No referral maze. No 9-month wait.
A full picture of your child's strengths and support needs, delivered with care and honesty.
Whether your child is building their first words, expanding their language, or exploring new foods and textures, our speech-language pathologists meet them exactly where they are and open doors to richer communication.
Explore Speech and Feeding Therapy →OT builds the daily living skills that shape a child's confidence — getting dressed, holding a pencil, navigating sensory experiences.
Our occupational therapists work alongside your child to make those moments feel more manageable and more theirs.
Our Woodridge center sits on Hobson Road, easy to reach for families across town and from neighboring Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, and Lisle. Whether you're coming from Seven Bridges, Waterfall Glen forest preserve, or I-355, getting your child to consistent, weekly therapy shouldn't mean a long drive—and here it doesn't.
We work hand-in-hand with the schools your kids actually attend. That means coordinating with Woodridge School District 68 and Community High School District 99 on IEP goals, evaluations, and the language that shows up in your child's school day. You'll see support that lines up with what their teachers and therapists are already doing, not generic recommendations.
And because Woodridge is built for families—Seven Bridges and Cypress Cove Water Park, the Waterfall Glen and Greene Valley forest preserves, and easy access to I-355—we focus on the real-world skills that let your child take part: regulating in a busy playground, joining a team, ordering for themselves on a Saturday outing. Therapy that travels off the mat and into their actual life here.
Yes. Our Woodridge clinic at 3351 Hobson Road, Suite B provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism, plus autism testing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health services. We serve families across Woodridge, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Lisle, and the western suburbs.
We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and accept many major plans, including Optum, United Healthcare, Tricare, Multiplan, and NorthShore. We'll run a complimentary benefits check so you know your coverage before your child starts.
We support children from as young as 18 months through the teen years. Early autism testing is available for children 18 months to 4 years, and ABA programs are tailored to each child's age, strengths, and goals.
We work hard to keep wait times short. After you reach out, our team walks you through a benefits check, paperwork, and an assessment, then builds a personalized plan so your child can begin as soon as possible.
Our Woodridge location is a dedicated pediatric therapy center with private one-on-one therapy rooms, sensory and gym space, and our Blossom Prep classroom for school readiness. Care here is center-based; ask our team about the options that best fit your family.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children build communication, social, and daily-living skills through individualized, play-based teaching led by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).
Yes. We offer early autism testing for young children and can guide your family through the evaluation process and next steps if a diagnosis is identified.
Families come to our Woodridge clinic from Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Darien, Lemont, Westmont, and Willowbrook.
Gracent Pediatric Therapy is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and accepts most major plans — including Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, and Multiplan. Before your child begins, we run a complimentary benefits check on your behalf, so you understand your coverage up front.
Not sure about your plan, or whether you need a referral?
Call us at 630-381-7755 and our team will walk you through every step.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy provides compassionate, neuroaffirming care for children and families. Our expert team offers autism testing, ABA therapy, speech, occupational, and physical therapy. For over 25 years, we’ve partnered with families to help every child grow, learn, and thrive.
Services at North Shore Pediatric Therapy and Gracent Pediatric Therapy centers are provided by affiliated professional corporations.
