About SensAble Kids
SensAble Kids serves infants to young adults with developmental, physical, emotional, and learning delays.
We offer occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy in our Chicago clinic and community settings.
We provide a holistic, integrated approach of the mind and body to promote optimal growth and development so children are better able to manage their emotions, communicate effectively, engage with others and their world, and function as independently as possible.
About SensAble Kids
SensAble Kids serves infants to young adults with developmental, physical, emotional, and learning delays. We offer occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy in our Chicago clinic and community settings.
We provide a holistic, integrated approach of the mind and body to promote optimal growth and development so children are better able to manage their emotions, communicate effectively, engage with others and their world, and function as independently as possible.
what is occupational therapy?
helping individuals gain independence by learning skills for the job of living
what is speech therapy?
helping individuals improve their ability to communicate in their daily life
what is developmental therapy?
helping young children develop their social, play and learning readiness
SensAble Kids Business Hours & Location
SensAble Kids is located in Chicago, Illinois and sees clients Monday-Thursday, 8:30a-7p CST and Friday, 8:30a-6p CST.
We offer services in our Chicago clinic, community services, and workshops to support our clients and families.
Meet the Team at SensAble Kids
Lori Silverberg, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist and SensAble Kids Owner
Lori has been working as a licensed pediatric occupational therapist since 1999. She has worked in a variety of settings including the schools, hospitals, clinic, private practice, and home-based. In 2003, Lori began working in Early Intervention with infants, age birth to three, and quickly found her passion. In 2007, she founded SensAble Kids with the mission of creating a place to support both children and parents utilizing a holistic, integrated approach of the mind and body to support physical and emotional development and overall wellness.
Lori has extensive diagnostic and intervention experience with children of all ages. She believes in the importance of play and works hard to connect with each child and their family to achieve their individual goals. As the mother of two young children, Lori believes in providing families with practical strategies that can be easily incorporated into their daily routine to improve their child’s independent functioning. Lori also understands the challenges that parenting young children can bring and believes that many situations can be resolved more quickly through understanding and education. She strives to help parents understand the “why” behind the challenging behaviors or struggles they are experiencing.
Areas of special interest include reflex integration (MNRI), infant mental health and regulatory disorders, developmental coordination disorders, sensory processing, emotional development, learning disorders, visual processing disorders, and mindfulness. Her work is heavily influenced by MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) and mindfulness. Lori utilizes a holistic approach in working with her clients and aims to strengthen the mind-body connection in all of her clients. She has special interest in nutrition and its impacts on regulation, overall wellness, and daily functioning.
Advanced training includes DIR Floortime, myofacial release, vestibular-visual processing, NDT for the baby, visual-motor, and graphomotor interventions. She has extensive training in neuro-sensory-motor reflex integration (MNRI), sensory modulation and regulatory interventions, and is a certified iLS Practitioner. She is a member of ILOTA, AOTA and the SPD Foundation. Lori is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University.
Occupational Therapists:
Robyn Reise MS, OTR/L
Clinical Director, Occupational Therapist
Robyn is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and has over 17 years of experience as a pediatric Occupational Therapist. She has practiced in a variety of settings including hospital-based inpatient/outpatient, NICU, schools, Early Intervention and private clinic. Robyn has extensive training in sensory processing, torticollis, Therapeutic Listening, ribcage mobility, Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and therapeutic handling, praxis, infant massage, DIR (floortime), TAMO, feeding, and visual processing. She also has advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy and provides CranioSacral Therapy for both pediatrics and adults. Robyn has been providing supervision and mentoring to Occupational Therapists and OT assistants for 9 years.
Areas of special interest include CranioSacral Therapy, sensory processing, neurodevelopmental disorders, neuromuscular disorders, torticollis, praxis, early intervention and infant mental health, regulatory disorders, emotional development and visual processing disorders.
Robyn utilizes a family-centered, holistic approach to treatment and believes that addressing the body, mind, and emotional wellbeing is essential for function and quality of life across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in how nutrition can be used to impact health, wellness, and functional performance, and how emotional development impacts our relationships, our ability to function, and our physical health. Robyn believes that parents, caregivers, and family members are vital to the therapeutic process and therefore, caregiver/family education and training play a fundamental role during therapy.
In her free time, Robyn enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and dog. She enjoys being outdoors, going to the dog beach, traveling, and cooking/baking.
Katelyn Derrig, MS OTR/L
Clinical Manager
Katelyn graduated from Saint Louis University with her Bachelors in Occupational Science and her Masters in Occupational Therapy.
She has clinical experience with children of all ages and abilities including, but not limited to, developmental delays, Autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing dysfunctions, neurological impairments, orthopedic rehabilitation, and genetic disorders.
She has clinical and volunteer experience in pediatric outpatient settings, aquatic therapy, inpatient settings, and school settings. She has attended continuing education courses focusing on visual-vestibular treatment, sensory processing, and reflex integration.
Katelyn enjoys working with families to encourage and support the family in understanding the intervention process.
Outside of the clinic Katelyn enjoys reading, traveling, staying active, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.
Julie Griffin, MS, OTR/L, CIMI
Lead Occupational Therapist
Julie grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and is a proud White Sox fan. Julie attended the University of Iowa for undergraduate studies and received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in July 2015.
Julie has been working in outpatient pediatrics and Early Intervention ever since – and wouldn’t have it any other way!
Julie has a passion for collaborating with families and supporting a child’s ability to participate most fully in daily activities and routines by addressing underlying motor, attention, and self-regulation challenges.
Julie is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and has additional training in the areas of social-emotional regulation, handwriting, as well as training outside of the OT world in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
In her free time, Julie enjoys going to concerts, comedy shows, and spending time with family & friends! Julie is elated to be a part of the SensAble Kids!
Megan Duffy MS OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Meghan Duffy attended University of Illinois at Chicago, received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2006. At UIC, she completed an Early Intervention training grant. She has been working as an OT for 12 years, concentrating in pediatrics.
Meghan worked for 9 years in the Chicago Public Schools, primarily at a therapeutic day school for students with autism and emotional behavioral disorders. She also worked in neighborhood schools with elementary school students with a variety of diagnosis and needs. Meghan also worked registry/per-diem for many year at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago with adults and pediatrics in the outpatient clinic and on the stroke and brain injury inpatient units. Meghan has been working for SensAble Kids for 3 years.
She has found providing occupational therapy in the child’s home to be rewarding; she enjoys integrating play-based therapeutic activities and developing a home program that fits into the family’s daily routine. Meghan loves to collaborate with other team members and frequently consults and co-treats with other therapists and professionals to support the child’s functional and therapeutic goals.
She has attended continuing education courses focused on picky eating, kinesiotaping, sensory processing and autism. Meghan has 2 young daughters, loves to read, ride her bike, swim, go to concerts and spend time with her family and friends. Meghan’s favorite holiday is Halloween and she aspires for the best family costume each year!
Lauren Bagley, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
I am originally from Wisconsin but have called Chicago my home for almost four years. I attended Beloit College where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Health and Society. I received my Master’s of Occupational Therapy from North Central College.
I have always had a passion for working with children and have experience working with kids in a variety of settings and disciplines. I have clinical experience in pediatric outpatient, schools, and community mental health.
I believe in connecting to children through play as play is a child’s language and where they can best learn to problem-solve, express feelings and regulate their emotions, develop motor skills, and become more independent. I aim to be a therapist that can provide a safe space, is open-minded, nurturing, knowledgeable in current evidence-based practice, and excels in providing parent/caregiver education to best support children and their families.
I have a special interest in sensory processing, emotional regulation, relationship-based treatment, mind and body approaches, and rhythmic movement. I use a holistic approach to treatment and believe in laying the groundwork for providing safety and connection with each of my clients. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, playing with my dog, spending time with family and friends, and reading. I am also a huge football fan.
Breanna Ryan, MS OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Breanna has been working with children with special needs since her first year of college. She first worked for a special recreation association and later became a paraeducator in a multiple needs classroom setting.
During her time in the school setting, she developed great interest in Occupational Therapy and decided to pursue her Master’s degree. She received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL in 2014.
Breanna has experience in both the school setting as well as early intervention. She is passionate about the integral part a parent/guardian plays in the setting of early intervention and has enjoyed helping families through their EI journey.
Breanna has a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder and sensory processing/regulation.
Amy Hutnick, MSOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Amy graduated with a Masters of Science degree in Occupational therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign.
She has experience working in the clinical and school settings with children of all ages and abilities. Her approach to caring for clients includes looking at the child as a whole person including their interests and motivation. She has received continuing education in praxis, vestibular disorders, sensory- motor integration, play therapy and executive function.
Outside of work Amy enjoys going for hikes with her family and creating a variety of mixed media art projects.
Madeleine Anderson, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
A lifelong Midwesterner, Maddie was born and raised in Libertyville, Illinois. She attended Indiana University where she majored in psychology and minored in human development and family studies. She then earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (Go Bucks!).
Maddie has clinical experience in outpatient pediatric and adult neurorehabilitation settings. She loves working in pediatrics as there is so much energy and enthusiasm for learning. She embraces play and children’s imaginations to help motivate them and facilitate learning new skills. Maddie is a firm believer in combining science, creativity, and compassion to help children maximize their full potential.
When not at the clinic, you can find Maddie exploring coffee shops (and their pastry selections), cooking, being a bandwagon sports fan, taking road trips, and spending time outside.
Nicole Amato, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Nicole graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology. During her undergraduate time, she found a passion for Occupational Therapy while working as a respite caregiver for kids with special needs.
She received my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree from Creighton University in 2020. Nicole completed her doctoral capstone project in sensory integration interventions where she also created school-based programming focused on sensory needs in schools.
She has clinical and volunteer experience in outpatient pediatric and adult neurorehabilitation settings as well as research experience. Nicole moved to Chicago shortly after graduation in 2021 and has been loving every minute, especially walks on the lake. Outside of the clinic, she loves cooking, spending time with family and friends, watching/playing sports, and traveling.
Nicole loves working with the pediatric population and building relationships with all of her clients. She is passionate about building a collaborative approach with kids and families and finding the best ways to help kids thrive in their day-to-day lives.
Hannah Carl, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Hannah graduated from Western Michigan University with her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services with minors in psychology and American Sign Language Studies and her Master’s in Occupational Therapy.
She has clinical experience working with children of all ages and abilities. She is passionate about treating the whole child through a holistic, relationship-based approach and strongly believes in including the child’s family in the therapeutic process. Hannah aims to create a safe space for her clients to learn, gain confidence and excel in their goals!
Hannah has a special interest in sensory processing, emotional regulation, and mental health. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, spending time with her friends and being outdoors.
Jennifer Rodriguez COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jennifer has both personal and professional experience with children with learning disabilities, sensory processing dysfunction, auditory processing, dyslexia and Autism.
Jennifer is a member of the Learning Disability Association (LDA) and has 8 years of experience advocating for special education rights. She is very invested in helping families understand their rights, advocate for special education services for their children and helping families navigate through the IEP process.
Areas of interest and training include, sensory processing, handwriting, neurological imbalance, learning disabilities, and school advocacy.
Jennifer is a mother of four children and in her free time loves art, photography, concerts, hockey, music, yoga, baking, scrapbooking, fostering kittens, traveling, and all things Harry Potter.
Ofelia Olvera COTA/L
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ofelia graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1986 with a degree in psychology. She later attended the Chicago City Wide College to obtain her Associates degree as a certified occupational therapy assistant.
She has worked in multiple settings, including geriatrics, acute trauma care, long term care, home health care and pediatrics. She has worked in early intervention for the past ten years.
As a bilingual therapist, Ofelia enjoys serving Spanish-speaking families primarily. She is one of the founders of “HOTI”, the Hispanic Occupational Therapists of Illinois.
Speech and Language Pathologists:
Kaitlin (Katie) Berzsenyi M.A., CCC-SLP
Lead Speech and Language Pathologist
Katie grew up in the state of Michigan. She graduated from Central Michigan University with her Bachelor of Science degree in 2012. She received her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2014. She lived in Chicago following graduation and recently returned to Chicago after spending a few years in sunny, San Diego.
She has 7 years of experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with the pediatric population providing in-home, virtual, and outpatient services. She has provided supervision and mentoring services to other SLPs and SLP assistants for 4 years.
Katie is a credentialed Early Intervention provider, an ASHA member, and a Hanen certified provider in It Takes Two to Talk, a parent coaching approach to language intervention. She has limited-working proficiency in Spanish and has experience working closely with interpreters to provide services to bilingual families.
She prioritizes play in her sessions to support the development of attention, organization, language, and regulation skills. The use of preferences and family routines are also imbedded into her treatment plans as they play a vital role in the therapeutic process.
Katie has experience working with a variety of clinical areas including expressive-receptive language delays, fluency, alternative augmentative communication (AAC), speech sound disorders including apraxia of speech, and neurodevelopmental disorders. She has recently completed trainings in the areas of sensory processing, regulation, feeding, and introductory level DIR/Floortime.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and cat. Some of her passions include baking, hiking, painting, playing volleyball, playing video games, and playing board games.
Kristin McConnell, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Kristin is originally from the state of Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Arts & Humanities and Spanish. During her undergraduate studies, she discovered her passion for speech-language pathology through shadowing clinicians, a study abroad experience focused on communication disorders in the United Kingdom, as well as courses that led to her receiving a minor in communicative sciences and disorders.
Kristin went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University in 2021. After graduating from Northwestern University, Kristin returned home to Michigan for a year to complete her clinical fellowship at a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic services to autistic children and adolescents.
Kristin has experience providing speech and language therapy in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, hospital-based acute care, schools, and telehealth. She has clinical experience including, but not limited to, receptive-expressive language disorders, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), speech sound disorders, and fluency.
She values taking a child-led, play-based approach to speech therapy sessions as a means of empowering children to be independent communicators. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys
exploring museums, botanical gardens, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Dionne Dias MS, CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Dionne graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and has always known her career would revolve around helping others. She then went on to complete her masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Houston where she pursued a specialty concentration in Autism Spectrum disorders.
She adores providing treatment to the moderate to severe special needs population and the unique opportunity therapy provides to help support families in need.
Dionne is passionate in treating children with complex communication needs (those who require augmentative and alternative communication) and also enjoys pediatric feeding therapy.
Becca Sidock, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Becca enjoys working with children and families to support their speech and language development through play.
Becca has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, speech sound disorders, receptive-expressive language delay, etc.
Becca also loves coaching parents on how to support their child’s communication skills and use speech and language strategies in daily routines.
When she is not at work, she enjoys reading, hiking, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen (with varying degrees of success)!
Developmental Therapists:
Alexandra Liben-Coven MA.ed, DT
Developmental Therapist, Infant/Toddler Specialist
I have been working with young children for the last 17 years. I received my Master of Education and Illinois Early Childhood Education Certification (Type 04) with an endorsement in special education, from DePaul University, in June 2006. I became a credentialed Developmental Therapist, with an Infant Specialist Certificate in Prevention/Early Intervention, Erikson Institute, Chicago, IL, May, 2015.
I worked for three years in CPS as a special education teacher in a blended pre-school classroom where I wrote and participated in IEP meetings and differentiated the curriculum to fit my student’s needs. I left CPS in 2013 to pursue my Developmental Therapist credential.
I worked for two years at a DIR clinic. There I fell in love with the DIR philosophy. I ran several social groups, dyads and did individual sessions. My sessions focus where a child is developmentally and how to help them get to the next developmental level. I work on social emotional regulation, expanding play ideas and helping children learn to engage and problem solving with their peers. I love to learn about each child and they’re unique challenges and strengths.
For the past four years I have been working in Early Intervention. I have been providing developmentally appropriate services to meet the unique needs of each child and their families. I have also Collaborated with families to assist in daily routines and facilitate in their child’s play skills and overall development.
SensAble Kids Office Staff:
Lucie Prebel
Office Manager
Lucie has worked in the non-profit sector since 1980. She has served as a member of the Operations team for over 30 years in inpatient and outpatient chemical dependence and outpatient for a mental healthcare agency which provided sliding scale services.
She has lived in the Chicago area for most of her life and is an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan. She loves to swim, horseback ride and playing volleyball.
Courtenie Taccolini
Client Intake Coordinator
Courtenie has been at SensAble Kids since April of 2021. As the Client Intake Coordinator, she loves getting to know every individual family & creatively working to meet their unique needs. She is happy to educate families on available services, help them through the intake process, answer all the tricky billing questions & remain a point of contact for communication for the duration of their time as a client at SensAble Kids.
Courtenie has always loved working with children, especially adolescents & their families. This passion has led her to student teach in Special Education middle school classrooms, volunteer as an online crisis counselor, & work on the young adult unit at an inpatient mental health facility.
After studying Psychology at Western Michigan University, Courtenie spent a few years in Grand Rapids, MI before making the move to Chicago. Here in Chicago, Courtenie enjoys taking drop-in dance classes, going to bookstores, & spending as much time by the lake as possible. She’s a mom of an orange tabby kitten & loves hearing stories about clients’ pets at home.
Allison Wilk
Office Staff
Allison Wilk has lived in Chicago since 2003. She attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston with a bachelors in Health Communication. She then attended The University of Illinois in Champaign where she completed her masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and was a teaching assistant for undergrad health courses. She worked as a case manager at Thresholds with adults with developmental abilities.
Allison took some time out of the work force after she got married and raised her four children before starting at SensAble Kids in 2015. Allison enjoys spending time with her family, watching her kids play ice hockey, playing volleyball, and walking her dog Winnie.
Inquiry
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