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

I am a certified speech-language pathologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and 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 been specializing in pediatric speech, language, and feeding therapy since December 2012. I worked for Helen DeVos Children’s Rehabilitation Services from 2012 through early 2020. I work to create individualized treatment plans to teach speech, language and feeding skills in a naturalistic, positive, and motivational way for children. 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, premature birth, autism, and Down syndrome, among other diagnoses. In addition, I am skilled in working with children who need early intervention for expressive-receptive language, speech sound disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.

When I am not attending to my caseload, I am home with my family. My husband, two daughters, two dogs, and I enjoy evenings at home, finding a nice trail to walk on in the community, or spending time with other family and friends. We enjoy traveling when able, and most often find ourselves traveling up north where I am originally from. 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.

I am constantly seeking further education opportunities to best help children experiencing speech, language, and feeding difficulties. My continuing education experiences include Neurodevelopmental (NDT) certification, NDT Baby Treatment, complex feeding disorders, handling and treatment of the rib cage, LAMP Words for Life, Beckman Oral Motor, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, and breathing courses by Mary Massery. I have also self-studied or taken short courses in DIR/Floortime and Lori Overland’s Sensory-Motor Approach to Feeding.

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 am passionate about working alongside families to progress their child's feeding and speech/ language skills to be able to communicate and find their voices in the day-to-day activities and/ or safely and joyfully eat a meal 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.

Erin Swartz, PT, DPT, PCS

I am a licensed physical therapist in the state of Michigan as well as a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS). I graduated with bachelor's degrees in Exercise Science and Psychology from Hope College in 2013 and with my Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in 2017. I have worked with the pediatric population in the outpatient setting at Mercy Rehabilitation Center through Mercy Health in Muskegon (2017-2020) as well as at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Zeeland (2020-2022). While at Helen DeVos, I also worked as part of a comprehensive care team in both the Spina Bifida and Cerebral Palsy specialty clinics in Grand Rapids. I work to create individualized treatment plans to help each child achieve gross motor milestones and functional mobility goals to enhance quality of life and participation in life activities. I am passionate about partnering with families/caregivers and helping each child achieve and exceed their mobility goals. I have experience working with children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, autism, torticollis and plagiocephaly, traumatic brain injury, genetic disorders including Rett syndrome, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, gross motor impairment, and toe walking among other pediatric diagnoses. My continuing education experience includes NDT handling techniques, Spina Bifida courses, courses on the Development of Gait in children as well as Gait Analysis and numerous orthotics courses. I am interested in pursuing my NDT certification, a certification in Kinesiotaping and completing my serial casting training.

While I am not working, I enjoy spending my free time swimming, running, biking, teaching swim lessons, going on walks or playing tennis with my husband, reading, going to the beach, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Meghan Stepanek, 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.