ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy in Lincolnwood

Rachel Porritt is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist licensed in Illinois. Rachel attended The University of Wisconsin-Madison for her undergraduate degree, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Sciences & Disorders. She moved to Chicago to attend Rush University for her graduate studies, where she earned her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Rachel has been working as a pediatric speech-language pathologist for the last 7 years and has been working at North Shore Pediatric Therapy (NSPT) since August 2017. Before working at NSPT, Rachel worked in Early Intervention to service children between the ages of birth - 3 years. Through Rachel’s years of experience, she has worked with children up to 19 years of age, addressing a wide range of speech-language and feeding disorders. She currently specializes in the evaluation and treatment of motor speech disorders and oral motor/sensory feeding disorders, and she is trained in PROMPT and SOS therapy.

Monica O'Connor, MS, OTR/L has been practicing occupational therapy since 2017. Monica has worked in clinic and home-based settings supporting children with Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and executive functioning difficulties. Monica graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in molecular and Cellular Biology. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017. Through her professional experience, she understands the importance of collaboration with other professionals and families. She has completed the following continuing education trainings among others: Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism, DIR 101, Vision in Pediatric Therapy, Kelly Mahler’s Interoception Training, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), and SCERTS.

A North Shore native, she currently lives in Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, swimming in the lake, and spending time with her family.

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.

Marissa received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Rush University and a Bachelors of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As an Occupational Therapist at North Shore Pediatric Therapies, Marissa provides occupational therapy services to children with a variety of diagnoses and abilities. For Marissa, collaborating with families and empowering clients to participate in everyday activities are the most rewarding parts of the job.

Marissa’s passion for OT can be traced back to working for 7 years at a summer camp for children with physical and developmental disabilities. When Marissa is not at work, you can find her reading, walking on the lakefront, or trying new restaurants!

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Robert Lemus received his Bachelors in Arts in Justice Studies from Northeastern Illinois University, and a Masters in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University.  

As a MH counselor at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Robert Lemus provides mental health counseling to children with a wide variety of challenges such as Autism, ADHD, Anxiety disorders, and mood disorders through different therapeutic modalities such as person centered therapy, behavior therapy , Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and play therapy.  

For Robert Lemus, establishing a therapeutic relationship with his clients and watching them blossom is the most rewarding part of the job, and he enjoys learning each clients unique story, personality, and strengths .  

Robert Lemus's passion for social work can be traced back to when he was a child, when he would learn many life skills of perspective taking, setting boundaries, reading social cues, asking for help, and self regulation through play and the support of family and friends.  

When Robert Lemus is not keeping busy with MH counseling, you can find him spending time with family, exercising, spending time in nature and traveling the world.

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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!

Paige Huffman is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist licensed in the state of Illinois. Paige attended James Madison University for her undergraduate degree, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She then moved to Washington D.C. where she earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology at The George Washington University (GWU). Paige has worked at North Shore Pediatric Therapy (NSPT) since June of 2022.

Prior to working at NSPT, Paige worked at different skilled nursing facilities in the Chicago area, where she completed her clinical fellowship. Paige has experience working with pediatric population from her two externships at GWU. One was working at a college preparatory public school for grades Pre-k to 1^st. The second placement was a school specialized for children with behavioral health needs and developmental disabilities working with 8-22 years old. She has experience addressing receptive and expressive language disorders, social-pragmatic disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, voice disorders, and swallowing disorders. Her areas of interest involve evaluating and treating receptive and expressive language disorders, speech sound production and early intervention treatment.

Lindsay Elling became a board-certified occupational therapist in 2021 after earning her master's degree in occupational therapy from Nova Southeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Lindsay was inspired to pursue a career in occupational therapy at a very young age after hearing her dad's stories about his time as an occupational therapist. Lindsay has experience treating children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), dyspraxia and other coordination deficits, and executive functioning difficulties.

Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys cooking and hosting, doing yoga, and playing with her cat, Winnie.