Deerfield, IL —ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy

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.

Maelah Nadeau grew up in Southern Maine with her large family of six. She graduated from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY with her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Maelah provides speech-language therapy services to children with a variety of complex communication needs. She enjoys working with children and their families to enhance participation in everyday settings.

When Maelah is not at work, you can find her outside hiking, skiing, swimming; playing tennis, pickleball, or cribbage; or competing in any sort of lawn game activity

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!

Nadia Alvarez Flodstrom is a board-certified occupational therapist who earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with an emphasis on public health and health sciences. She then received her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in 2014.

Nadia is interested in neuroscience and current autism research and how this affects child development. She has attended continuing education courses related to autism, behavior, and neuroanatomy pertaining to a developing child. She has experience working in public schools, an ABA clinic, early intervention, and an outpatient pediatric clinic. She is currently certified as a therapeutic yoga practitioner for children with special needs and works with children privately using this approach. During her free time, Nadia likes to spend her time with family and friends, going for walks, and practicing yoga and meditation.