Meghan VandeWater, MA, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

I am a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association licensed in the state of Michigan. I graduated with a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University in 2011. I have spent my career working with children in the areas of speech, language, AAC and feeding. I work to create individualized treatment plans to facilitate skills in a naturalistic, positive and motivational way for children. I specialize in neurodevelopmental and neuromotor deficits related to these areas. In 2015-2016, I participated in a year-long course in which I received certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT). I have a passion for working with children presenting with neurodevelopmental disorders, typically seen in children with cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, premature birth, autism and Down syndrome, among other diagnoses.

I am constantly seeking further education opportunities to best help children experiencing speech, language, and feeding difficulties. My continuing education experiences include Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) certification, NDT Baby Treatment, Certified Autism Disorder Clinical Specialist (CADCS), complex feeding disorders in a variety of treatment models, handling and treatment of the rib cage, Beckman Oral Motor, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, breathing courses by Mary Massery, and various AAC coursework and trainings. I am currently working through the Talk Tools Oral Placement Therapy course which works to address all aspects of speech and language production through visual input, auditory input, and tactile input through the whole speech system starting with the abdomen up to the mouth. Given my background in NDT, I always aim for whole body approaches and the benefit this has on speech-language and feeding skills!

When I am not attending to my caseload, I am home with my family. We enjoy nights home together, exploring parks and hiking trails, as well as camping throughout the summer. Ever since I began working in pediatric speech-language therapy, I have had the dream of having a private practice. In 2020 it became possible for me to pursue this dream and I am so thankful to have the support of my family.

Aimee Heiniger, MS,
CCC-SLP

I'm a speech-language pathologist certified through the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Michigan. I graduated with my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University in 2019. I aim to create play-based, functional treatment sessions for each child and family. My clinical experience includes work with the pediatric population in outpatient and home settings. I have experience working with childhood apraxia of speech; autism spectrum disorder; down syndrome; speech sound disorders; augmentative & alternative communication. I have a passion for early intervention and working alongside families and caregivers. My continuing education experience includes courses in augmentative & alternative communication (LAMP Words for Life); autism spectrum disorder; childhood apraxia of speech; and articulation/phonological disorders.

When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son, getting outside, and reading.

Dalila Salas, MS, CCC-SLP

Hablo español,
I am a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and am licensed in the state of Michigan. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Hope College (class of 2017) and a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University (class of 2019). I am a SOFFI (supporting oral feeding for medically fragile infants) certified professional as of 2024 and have taken continuing education courses in NDT, pediatric feeding disorders, auditory processing disorder, ASD and gestalt language processing.

I have been working at Thrive since 2021 and have experience working with children with ASD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, childhood apraxia of speech, auditory processing disorder, ADHD, feeding difficulties, g-tube dependance, and a variety of other genetic and medically-complex diagnoses. I currently work one day a week for Thrive focusing on feeding therapy. I am passionate about working alongside families to progress their child's feeding skills to safely and joyfully eat with their families. It is important to me to create positive, play-based therapy sessions and to work closely with parents, caregivers and anyone else on the child's care team to ensure we are addressing all of the child's needs to reach their goals!

In my free time, I am a part of a small group and book club. I also love to travel (usually places sunnier and warmer than West Michigan) and spend time with my family and friends!

Nicole Roubos, MS, CCC-SLP

I'm a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed in the state of Michigan. In 2019, I graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University. My clinical experience is in pediatrics working with a variety of disorders such as, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Apraxia of speech, ADHD, and more. Prior to joining Thrive in Spring 2023, I worked in a variety of school environments that provided me with training and skills in behavior management, Social Thinking Curriculum, and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes, to name a few.

As a mom of a 3-year-old boy, I'm extremely aware of the effort that goes into raising a young child, making me motivated to help children and families build stronger relationships through communication. My goal is to provide individualized, child-led therapy that is highly motivating for children through play. I am passionate about helping any child working on: articulation / speech sound production, augmentative and alternative communication, expressive-receptive language, and fluency. Currently, I'm taking continuing education courses in Autism and Gestalt Language Processing. I have also taken short self-studied courses in pediatric feeding and oral language comprehension and expression. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and son as well as visiting my family in Traverse City. I love to swim, boat, and have spontaneous dance parties in the living room!

Kathryn VanderMolen, MS, CCC-SLP

I am a speech-language pathologist with a background in therapeutic recreation. I graduated with a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Grand Valley State University in 2022, and I am certified through the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Michigan. I am passionate about meeting children and families where they are and building on strengths while incorporating interests in therapy. I strive to presume the potential of every client, build strong relationships, and see through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. My clinical experience includes working with autistic children, primarily early and emergent communicators. I have fostered a passion for supporting gestalt language processors and the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) through a child-led and play-based therapy approach. My professional experience also includes the evaluation and treatment of fluency, articulation, pragmatic language, food selectivity/"picky eating", and childhood apraxia of speech. During my time as a recreational therapist, I worked with children and adults with cerebral palsy, autism, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, Cri du chat syndrome, spina bifida, and Down syndrome.

My continuing education experience includes courses such as AAC Ally by Rachel Madel, Stuttering as Diversity: Exploring School-Based Stuttering Through a DEI Lens, and introductory courses in DIR Floortime and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). I am currently taking the Meaningful Speech course and AAC for Gestalt-Language Processors. Additionally, I listen to many speech-language pathology podcasts in my free time!

Outside of work, I enjoy walking or playing with my dog (mini Aussie named Phoebe), spending time with my husband and friends, cooking/baking, reading, playing sports (pickleball, volleyball, golf, etc.), exercising, traveling, and playing board/card games. I'm always looking to try something new!

Mackenzie Galbreath, MA, CCC-SLP

Hello! I am a speech-language pathologist certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holding licenses in the states of Michigan, Colorado, and Alaska. I attended undergrad at Western Michigan University (fun fact - I minored in Peace Corps Health Preparatory, and would love to join one day!) and completed my Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2021 at Michigan State University. My professional focus has centered around pediatrics in various settings, including outpatient, in-home, and schools. I am dedicated to collaborating closely with parents to facilitate communication and foster connection through individualized, engaging, child-led therapy. I love working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and have experience working with children with a variety of strengths and diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, receptive/expressive language disorders, fluency, and motor speech disorders.

I have continued to improve my skills through continuing education courses, such as “AAC for Gestalt-Language Processors” through Meaningful Speech as a NLA (Natural Language Acquisition) trained clinician, as well as introductory courses in DIR Floortime and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). Additionally, I am expanding my skills for feeding/swallowing through self-study/introductory courses in Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) and Lori Overland's Sensory-Motor Feeding Approach.

Outside of work, I enjoy being outside with my husband and our Aussie - Nova, reading, camping, playing soccer, and traveling. I am looking forward to improving my Spanish and learning more about Neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) in 2024.

Katie Farr, MA CCC-SLP

I am a certified Speech-Language Pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and am licensed in the state of Michigan. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University and a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Calvin University (2024).

My clinical experience is in pediatrics, where I have worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, speech sound disorders, and expressive and receptive language impairments. I love working with children and strive to create play-based, functional therapy sessions tailored to each child's individual needs.

Currently, I am completing continuing education in PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), an evidence-based approach for treating motor speech disorders such as childhood apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and phonological disorders. I am also enrolled in a course through Meaningful Speech focusing on Gestalt Language Processing, which emphasizes child-led therapy and offers practical strategies to support spontaneous communication.

I am committed to ongoing professional development and providing evidence-based, individualized therapy to support each client and their family.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family, friends, and my dog!

Meghan Stepanek, PT, DPT

Hello! I am a licensed physical therapist in the state of Michigan. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Dordt University in 2013 and my Doctorate degree in physical therapy from Central Michigan University in 2016. I have worked with patients of all ages, including pediatrics, primarily in the outpatient setting. I worked at Corewell Health Gerber Memorial (2016 - 2019) and Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy (2019 - 2024) prior to joining the team here at Thrive Pediatric Therapy! I see each child as a special and unique individual and work to create individualized treatment plans that incorporate their interests in order to help them achieve gross motor milestones and functional mobility goals to enhance quality of life and maximize their participation in life activities. I have always enjoyed working with kids, but gained an even stronger passion for working with this population since becoming a mother myself. I have experience working with kids with gross motor impairment, torticollis and plagiocephaly, genetic disorders, toe walking, and many orthopedic injuries and conditions, among other pediatric diagnoses.

Through my own experience as a mother, I have also developed a unique passion for breastfeeding and helping mothers with breastfeeding related issues. My continuing education includes a course in the role of PT in breastfeeding and pumping which has provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to treat issues that can occur including clogged ducts and mastitis. While each journey is unique, having been on this journey myself, I understand the challenges that can arise and the effort that goes into breastfeeding! I am excited to be able to offer help and support and work with you to meet your breastfeeding goals!

I am always looking to further expand my knowledge and skills through ongoing continuing education opportunities to best serve the kids and mothers I have the privilege of treating. I am interested in learning more about the neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) approach!

When I am not at work, I am home with my family. My husband, my two daughters and I enjoy evenings at home, going for family walks and just spending time together as well as with other family and friends. We also enjoy traveling when we are able and spending time on the water!

Lauren Schwartz PT, DPT

Bio coming soon.

Emily Severn, OTR/L

I'm an Occupational Therapist through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and licensed in the state of Michigan. I attended Davenport University and graduated with my Bachelors of Science along with my Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy. I have spent the majority of my career in pediatrics where I have gained knowledge from working with children presenting with a variety of diagnoses including autism, CP, Down syndrome, sensory and oral motor feeding difficulties, fine and gross motor delays, sensory processing, and a variety of other genetic and medically complex diagnoses. I have professional certification in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to feeding and Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, in order to provide care for pediatric feeding difficulties. Other professional course experiences includes: 5 Days of Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), DIR Floortime Approach 101, Talk Tools Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS) and STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Level 1 Mentorship. I plan to continue my education while working towards becoming certified as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS), as well as further education in Lori Overland's Sensory-Motor Approach to Feeding. It is important for me to create a positive and fun therapy session that includes play-based techniques while focusing on the child's strengths.

Outside of work I enjoy spending my time with family and friends, taking walks, working out, reading, and going Up North.

Reegan Edema, MSOT, OTR/L

I am an Occupational Therapist certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and licensed in the state of Michigan. I attended Grand Valley State University where I completed my Master's Program in Science and Occupational Therapy along with my Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Science with a health and fitness emphasis. From a young age I had dreamt of becoming a pediatric OT and am so fortunate to be living out that dream as a new graduate at Thrive Pediatric Therapy since September 2024. While in graduate school, I was fortunate enough to accept and learn under multiple pediatric therapists in the Grand Rapids area. I have gained experience in the areas of: emotional regulation, sensory processing disorders, Wilbarger sensory brushing protocol, Learning Without Tears handwriting, developmental motor skills, feeding therapy, executive functioning skills and more. At Thrive Pediatric Therapy, I have found an increased interest in collaborating with our speech-pathologists to implement Augmentative and Adaptive Communication devices into the daily occupations and therapeutic activities of our clients. While I do not currently have any professional certifications or trainings, I am working towards and/or interested in the following: Learn to Play the NDT Way, play-based therapy curriculums, Harkla Assessment and Integration of Primitive Reflexes, Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, among more. As a new graduate, I am motivated and ecstatic to find my niche at Thrive Pediatric Therapy to better support the pediatric population of the Grand Rapids area.

Outside of work, I enjoy unwinding at the lake with my family, deer hunting, gardening, and reading. I also love spending time with my friends playing euchre, going to concerts, sports games, and traveling, especially to the UP.

Anna Wuerfel, OTR/L

I'm an occupational therapist certified through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and licensed in the state of Michigan. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and minor in Child Development. Then, I earned my Master's of Occupational Science and Therapy at Grand Valley State University. My clinical experience involves working with children with various disorders including Autism, CP, Down syndrome, sensory processing, emotional regulation, feeding difficulties, fine & gross motor delays among other medically complex conditions. I'm excited to further my education in order to best support clients and their families, with a specialized interest in continuing education courses about the NDT approach, SOS feeding approach, sensory integration, and primitive reflex integration (to name a few!).

I have always had a love for interacting with kids and admire their playfulness! I love that, as an OT, I get to support kids in participating in the everyday activities that add so much meaning to life. I strive for a positive, play-based, individualized treatment approach working closely with children and their families to best address their goals.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outside, swimming, reading, doing puzzles, playing games, and spending time with friends and family.