Occupational Therapists
Christina B., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Christina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2008, and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2009 from the University of Indianapolis. She has experience in pediatric inpatient acute care, outpatient therapy, clinic therapy, school therapy, early intervention and NICU follow up clinic. She has worked with children from newborn to young adulthood involving cardiac surgery and cardiac limitations, hematology/oncology, respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders such as seizure disorders and brain injuries, and orthopedic injuries/surgeries. Other diagnoses included developmental delay, sensory processing disorder, autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. She is CPR certified. She also has experience working with adults in a hospital acute rehabilitation setting. Outside of work, Christina teaches dance to children ages 9-12 years at a local dance studio. Christina’s heart has always been in pediatrics and she looks forward to helping the children that she serves through a creative balance of work, play and leisure!
Candace B., COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Candace received her Associate’s degree in Applied Science with a concentration in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Brown Mackie College in 2016 after many years of uncertainty regarding what she wanted to be when she grew up! She fell in love with OT and seeing the benefits of therapy. She solidified her passion for pediatric OT after becoming a mother and learning about the impact that Early Intervention had on many children she knew personally. Immediately upon graduation, she began working in the school system, First Steps, and outpatient clinic. She is CPR certified. Her experience encompasses working with children with a variety of diagnoses including autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, SPD, TBI, CP, infantile spasms, and a plethora of neurological and genetic conditions. She has a passion for the connections between neurology and sensory processing. Though she took a brief hiatus from pediatrics, she is ecstatic to be back to her roots and her passion. Candace cannot wait to be a part of your child’s team!
Bernadette B., COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Bernadette received her Associate’s degree in Applied Sciences with a concentration in Occupational Therapy Assistant from Brown Mackie College in 2012. Becoming an occupational therapy assistant was inspired by observing hospital staff work with her father when he was ill. She always knew that she would work with children. After becoming licensed, she worked in the school districts and gained experience in an outpatient clinical setting. Bernadette has served children with a variety of diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, hypotonia, prematurity, sensory processing disorder, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and other developmental and chromosomal differences. She has attended continuing education in the areas of sensory integration, sensory-based strategies, behavior, reflex integration, kinesiotaping, cardiac ICU interventions and executive function. She is CPR certified. She presented on the topics of Home Programming to Build Development Skills and Autism. She enjoys working collaboratively with families to build a skill development atmosphere that easily fits into day-to-day routines in natural environments. Bernadette is all about “Team Family,” and can’t wait to join your team!
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Haylie earned a Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology from Indiana University Northwest in 2019, and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Governors State University in December of 2022. She volunteered at Wee Care Therapy during her undergraduate years, and then served a rotation here as a graduate student. Haylie worked with children with a variety of diagnoses including autism, sensory processing disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, emotional regulation and attention challenges, feeding difficulties, behavioral disturbances, dopamine deficiency and stroke. She provided services in early intervention and clinic. She also completed a community-based rotation with adults, and gained additional familiarity with some of the same diagnoses she had seen in pediatrics. This experience expanded her knowledge on the importance of community-based adult programs once clients have graduated or aged-out of pediatric therapies. Haylie became knowledgeable with cognitive assessments & community integration. She created a sensory room on a financial budget. Haylie is excited to return to Wee Care Therapy as an occupational therapist, and looks forward to serving your child!
Angela C., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Angela graduated from Governors State University with a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 2018 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Purdue University West Lafayette in 2016. Her fieldwork experience includes pediatric work in school and outpatient settings. She also has acute inpatient rehabilitation experience working with adults and geriatrics within a hospital setting. Angela is CPR certified. She has experience working with with a variety of children with diagnosis including autism, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, and various other developmental differences. In her spare time, Angela enjoys working out, going on bike rides, playing board games, doing puzzles, and spending time with her dog and husband. She brings her playful energy to her sessions. She has a deep passion for working with pediatrics, and believes in collaboration and education with the child’s family. Angela looks forward to working with you and your child to support independence and growth through play, fine motor skills, and daily occupations!
Rebecca (Becca) D., OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Becca graduated with her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Governors State University after earning a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Calumet College of St. Joseph where she was the Valedictorian and received the Outstanding Science Baccalaureate Award and the Pioneer Award for Community Service. Her training/experience includes working in pediatrics in schools, early intervention and clinic, and skilled nursing facilities. Becca has training in manual therapy, sensory integration and sensory-based strategies. She is CPR certified. Becca was a MOT Research Presenter at the ILOTA conference in 2017, where she presented on Perceptions of Professionalism in Level II Fieldwork. She also served on the Fieldwork Panel at ILOTA’s Student Conclave. In her spare time, Becca enjoys competitive volleyball and basketball. She radiates positive energy which shines in her treatment. Becca respects family involvement in therapy, and eagerly awaits meeting you and your child!
Kathryn (Katie) E., MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Katie graduated from Governor’s State University with her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016, after earning a bachelor of science degree in 2013. Her work experience is in therapy clinics and schools. Prior to working as an occupational therapist, she was an occupational therapy aid for 3 years in a pediatric therapy clinic. She has worked with children with sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and various other chromosomal and developmental variations. Katie is CPR certified and certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She has attended continuing education related to sensory integration, sensory-based strategies, sensory processing assessments, feeding and autism. Katie loves to read, travel and spend time with her family. She is “outdoorsy” and incorporates “nature” into play schemes during therapy. She firmly believes that collaboration with the whole therapy team and the family is very important. Katie absolutely cannot wait to help your child reach his or her fullest potential!
Ashley H., COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ashley graduated from Brown Mackie College with her Associates degree in Applied Science majoring in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program in 2007. Her work experience include hospital (orthopedic, acute care and pediatrics), geriatrics, and pediatrics (elementary school, private clinics, and early intervention. Her passion and focus for the past several years has been in pediatrics. Ashley made her current home at Wee Care Therapy. Her focus right now is on serving families in early intervention. She is skilled in treating a variety of populations, including children with Cri-du-chat syndrome, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, limb differences and developmental delay. She is CPR certified. Ashley is developing her conversational Spanish, and has worked with several Spanish speaking families. She has also personally foster cared for children since 2019. She loves to spend time with her family and dogs and is active in her church. She has a deep passion for pediatrics and helping every child she treats. Ashley values each family as a team and takes on each individual child with tender love and care!
Speech/Language Pathologist
Dr. Angela K., OTD, OTR is thrilled to be returning to Wee Care as an occupational therapist after serving as a volunteer, then as Wee Care’s administrative assistant from 2016-2019. Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University Northwest (2018) and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Indiana University (2022). Angela’s pediatric clinical experience occurred in an outpatient pediatric setting, where she treated children with a variety of diagnoses and/or challenges including autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, emotion regulation difficulties, neurological conditions and radial dysplasia. Angela has additional clinical experience working in adult upper extremity rehabilitation and lymphedema therapy, where she gained experience with soft tissue massage, scar massage, wound care, and various other physical agent modalities. Her doctoral capstone project centered around advocating for children with learning disabilities in a public elementary school setting. Angela’s research examined the effects of stigma on school performance for children with learning disabilities, stigma reduction in general education teachers, teacher training, implicit bias, and occupational performance in school-aged children. Angela possesses a passion for learning and takes every continuing education opportunity she can, including courses on sensory strategies, sensorimotor therapy, toe walking, limb loss, adverse childhood experiences, and pediatric feeding. Angela brings a strengths-based, client-centered approach to therapy. She believes connection, rather than compliance, elicits positive therapy outcomes for children and families. She is delighted to work with you and your child!
Danielle M., OT/L
Occupational Therapist
Danielle earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University. She has experience working with diverse pediatric populations including children with autism, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder, prematurity, brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and other developmental differences. Prior to earning her degree, Danielle worked as a one-on-one aide for a boy with autism. She also worked in the office of a pediatric therapy clinic for several years where she had wonderful opportunities to observe and learn from the therapists there. Danielle is a master clinician, and has obtained advanced training in the areas of sensory integration, sensory processing disorder, neurodevelopmental treatment, and food chaining. She is also certified the Interactive Metronome and CPR. Her hobbies include camping, bike riding, hiking, and spending time with her family. Danielle planted her roots at Wee Care Therapy ever since she graduated. She loves to be outdoors, and believes that incorporating nature and outdoor play into therapy is essential to child development!
Elona R., OT/L
Occupational Therapist
Elona R. has been an occupational therapist since earning her Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Chicago State University in 1986. She has a well-rounded background in sensory integration and neurodevelopmental treatment. She also has extensive training in the Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol, myofascial release, kinesiotaping, reflex integration, TES (threshold electrical stimulation), feeding, and therapeutic listening. She is certified in CPR. Elona is a well rounded, master clinician. She is comfortable with wide variety of populations including sensory processing disorder, autism, cerebral palsy, prematurity, developmental delay, Down Syndrome, brachial plexus injury, genetic syndromes, neurological disorders and pediatric orthopedics. She is also experienced in the NICU. In her spare time, she volunteers at her church in the nursery and as a youth leader. Elona enjoys working to improve the lives of children and being a positive influence on their growth!
Susan (Sue) Swindeman, OTR/L
CEO/Occupational Therapist
Sue has served children with a variety of diagnoses since graduating from the University of IL at Chicago in 1984, and founded Wee Care Therapy in 1994. She has advanced training in a variety of areas including, but not limited to sensory integration (certified), Interactive Metronome (certified), craniosacral therapy, neurodevelopmental treatment (8-week Bobath training), myofascial release and therapeutic listening. She believes that continuing advanced training is vital to the development of therapy skills. In 2021, she was recognized by the state for her leadership, dedication, and excellence in service for First Steps. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and certified in CPR. Sue also presents continuing education seminars internationally. She co-authored books that offer sensory-based strategies for home, daycare, and preschool called: Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers and Tools for Infants: Sensory-Based Strategies for Parents, Caregivers, and Early Intervention Providers. The books have been translated in German, Turkish and Brazilian Portuguese. Susan believes that family involvement and team communication are critical to the therapy process!
Brenda W., OTR/L Occupational Therapist
Brenda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Loyola University in 1995, Master of Arts in Education from St. Xavier University in 2002, and Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of IL at Chicago in 2019. Before that, she taught high school biology and psychology, and worked in cancer research and social sciences administration. Diagnoses served include autism, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, seizure disorder, brachial plexus injury and torticollis. She is CPR certified. Brenda co-authored The Effects of Mindfulness Training on Wisdom in Elementary School Teachers which was published in the Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science. She also co-authored Occupational Self-Assessment. In 2018, she gave a poster presentation at the ILOTA conference on the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Positive Psychology Interventions for Clients with Mental Illness Symptoms Following Acquired Disability. Brenda is a Level 2. Advanced Certified Autism Specialist through IBCCESS. She ensures that your child receives compassionate care through holistic, evidence-based practices and thoughtful collaboration. Brenda strives to find creative solutions to help you and your child succeed!