Our Mission

Our mission is to empower all of those whose lives we touch

• employees
• children
• families
• communities

...to reach their full potential.

 Your Child’s Progress is our Passion^SM
 

Our Approach

TEIS Therapists will:

• Listen to your concerns
• Assess your child's individual needs
• Develop a customized treatment plan
• Educate you along the way on simple solutions to maximize your child's development that incorporate his or her natural environment and routines.

TEIS Therapists will build strong relationships with you and your child based on mutual respect.  Your trust and confidence, along with your child's progress, are TEIS' top priorities.

Our Reputation

TEIS has been providing Early Intervention Services to families in Southwestern Pennsylvania since 2004.  The founders of TEIS are both therapists.  TEIS therapists have extensive experience with sensory and feeding issues and have developed and utilize The Good Sense Plan^_TM and The Eat Right Plan^_TM.

Approximately 33% of our referrals are from families who specifically asked for us.  They heard about TEIS from family, friends, daycare staff, other therapists in the home, doctors and other medical professionals.

"Our patients and our practice have been extremely pleased with the therapy, results and professionalism displayed by TEIS therapists." 

- Dr. Todd Wolynn, Kids Plus Pediatrics

Therapists that join TEIS stay with TEIS throughout their Early Intervention careers. 

Our Training

• TEIS Therapists consistently exceed the minimum of 24 hours of continuing education courses each year
• Therapists travel all over the country to attend specialized seminars
• Transfer of knowledge to the entire TEIS team is accomplished through bi-weekly, inter-disciplinary trainings presented by our therapists and local experts
• Inter-disciplinary mentoring is integral to our education formula
• All therapists are current with their Pennsylvania certifications and discipline licenses

Our Expertise

Within disciplines, TEIS therapists have demonstrated expertise in areas such as, but definitely not limited to:

• Treating medically fragile children
• Hearing loss associated with speech difficulties
• Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT)
• Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
• Autism / PDD / PDD-NOS
• Sensory Integration / Sensory Processing Disorder
• Neuro Motor Development
• Complex Feeding Disorders
• Torticollis
• Assistive Technology
• Premature Births
• Cerebral Palsy
• Vision
• Nutrition
• Failure to Thrive
• Genetic Syndromes
• Craniosacral Training (CST)

A Few of Our Personal Stories

Tamara, Developmental Specialist

I decided when I was 12 years old after reading the book "Son Rise" by Barry Neil Kaufman (about a child with autism) that I wanted to work with children with special needs. My specialties are working with medically fragile children and doing independent evaluations.

Lauren, Developmental Specialist

I had always thought I would be a teacher. After receiving my degree in early childhood education, I worked 3 years teaching in a preschool classroom for 2-3 year olds. In my final year, I was introduced to 3 children receiving early intervention services through the Alliance for Infants and Toddlers. I soon found that I was spending much of my time creating a more successful learning experience for these three children and providing one-on-one attention surrounding their developmental needs. A few weeks later, I began a masters program in Early Intervention and have been at TEIS ever since.

Tracy, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

For those of you that have read "Welcome to Holland," that describes exactly how I felt when I learned that my son was visually impaired. How was he going to learn? How could I help him to use what vision he had? These and several other questions went through my mind. Immediately I went searching for answers. I came across the Vision Studies program at the University of Pittsburgh and knew I just had to learn more if I wanted to be the best advocate that I could be for my son. Through out this journey I have met many wonderful parents and have found no greater satisfaction than helping them and helping the kids. It's a scary time as a parent and after experiencing early intervention for myself as a parent, I knew there would be no other job as rewarding.

Nicole, Occupational Therapist

My love for working with children started at a very young age. I always thought I was going to be a pediatrician but then I observed an Occupational Therapist working with a child and instantly knew that was the career for me. I have a special place in my heart for children with autism. They continue to amaze me on a daily basis with what skills they learn and ways they communicate their feelings. Just like the symbol for autism, children with autism can be puzzling at times but when they achieve a goal you are working on, you know you found the right piece to the puzzle. I have children of my own so I can relate to certain issues and concerns that parents have, and try to think of my clients as if they were my own children.

Maureen, Speech Therapist

My desire to help people with disabilities began very early due to a family history of a syndrome that involves severe communication difficulties. During high school I volunteered at a camp for children with physical and cognitive disabilities and loved watching them succeed in communicating using a variety of modalities (speech, sign language and communication devices). I attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and worked at that same camp every summer, reinforcing my drive to help children. I decided to go to graduate school at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC (the only liberal arts college in the country where the undergraduate students all have a hearing loss) so that I could pursue intensive sign language classes and learn more about deafness and related issues/technology. I completed my Clinical Fellowship Year working at the elementary level in Washington, DC Public Schools. I then took a position at Marlyand School for the Deaf where I continued to work with elementary school children. After that I wanted to explore outpatient services to work with families and younger children so I went to work for The Treatment and Learning Center in Maryland. When my husband's job brought us to Pittsburgh, I began working at the Children's Institute where I gained invaluable experience in working with all ages and abilities. However, I continued to feel that I needed a closer connection to families and children's daily lives so I came to Early Intervention with TEIS and have enjoyed it ever since.

Betsy, Speech Therapist

My younger sister, Emily, serves as the biggest inspiration in my life and is one of the reasons I decided to become a speech therapist. Emily is 2 years younger than me and was born with Down Syndrome. I remember as a young child going with my sister to her various therapy appointments. While it took her longer to walk and talk than most kids her age, her positive spirit did not waiver. Emily was determined to succeed. That determination and positive attitude are two attributes that I try to carry with me every day when I am working with my EI kids. I know that with a lot of hard work and encouragement, we can reach our goals! Emily is now a young adult. She has a job, she reads and writes her own plays, and she has a better social life than most people I know.

Janet, Occupational Therapist

I began doing volunteer work at 8, reading to kindergarten students.  It was at this time that I discovered the joy of enhancing the lives of children. Since that time most of my volunteer and professional works have been involved in pediatric care. I love sharing in the accomplishments of young children and the delight of their families.

Kris, Pediatric Registered Dietitian 

I have only worked with infants, children and teens since I became a registered dieititian in 1995. I have spent most of my time in pediatric institutions including Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. I have rotated through working in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. I prefer, however, the outpatient setting. I have obtained additional experience in counseling techniques to help families achieve their goals. I chose EI because of the chance to get even more involved with families on a personal level and help them achieve their goals in their own environment. I am very passionate about the role nutrition plays in growth and development. I believe that families need practical, realistic strategies and individualized goals to help each child meet their personal needs.

Kim, Speech Therapist

I always knew I wanted to work with children, and I had a desire to help them learn in a way that was slightly different than a typical classroom teacher. After graduating college, I moved from Pittsburgh to North Carolina where I worked in a school and out-patient speech-pathology clinic. This provided me with the opportunity to work with elementary school-aged children as well as younger kids. Being away from home for nearly a year I decided to move back to Pittsburgh to be close to family and friends again! I found a position in the Pittsburgh area that allowed me to continue working with children in an out-patient therapy setting. Through this job I was introduced to early intervention! I quickly learned how much enjoyment I received working with the birth-to-three population. I decided I wanted to pursue a position that allowed me to work in early intervention full-time. That decision led me to TEIS where I have been an employee for five years now! As an early intervention speech-pathologist, I love the ability to work one-on-one with children and their families. I take pleasure helping kids find ways to communicate their wants and needs-giving them a "voice", no matter what their means of communication might be!

Sandy, Occupational Therapist

I came to OT the long way. Once I thought I was headed for medical school, but luckily I came to my senses! After working in a laboratory for a few years, I knew I needed to do some kind of work with children to feel satisfied. I began researching different career options, learned about OT and immediately knew I had found what I wanted to do. I'm continously excited about and motivated to work with young children and their families because I see over and over again the limitlessness of their potential. To feel like I helped a family successfully get their child to eat, or to eat better, is the best feeling in the world. To see a child begin to be better able to engage with the people who love them, to play with their toys, and to explore their world is so rewarding.

Emily, Speech Therapist

I completed my undergraduate and Masters program at the University of Pittsburgh. I pursued a career in Speech Pathology because of my desire to work closely with children, especially on an individual basis. In the EI setting, the work environment has provided me the opportunity to witness a child's progress first hand while forming a bond with families. Observing the joy families exhibit when they see their children learning to communicate is the most rewarding part of my job. While working over the past 3 years, I have gained experience working with children with various disorders such as Autism, Prader-Willi, and Apraxia of Speech. I continue to not only learn through experience but also from my fellow co-workers. Working alongside other TEIS therapists has allowed me to gain ample knowledge regarding other disciplines (OT, PT, DV, Nutrition, and Vision). This has made me a more well rounded therapist when assessing for developmental milestone achievement and implementing therapy techniques that address each child's needs.

Sarah, Occupational Therapist

Since high school, I dreamt of becoming a pediatric occupational therapist. I have always been interested in working with children to help them reach their maximum potential. I graduated high school and began my education at Duquesne University in 2001 where I completed 2 years of undergraduate work. I transferred to Thomas Jefferson University in 2003 where I graduated with honors in 2005 completing my Bachelor's degree in OT. I also graduated with honors in 2006 completing my Master's Degree in OT and a specialty certificate in Early Intervention. I began my career in Bucks County Pennsylvania working with children from 0-21 years of age and worked there until I moved to Pittsburgh in 2009. I have worked with children with many different diagnoses including Feeding Disorders, Autism, Failure to Thrive, Down Syndrome, Genetic syndromes, Dandy Walker Malformation, Cerebral Palsy, Brain Tumor, Prematurity, Sensory Processing Disorder, Brachial Plexus Injuries, PDD, Congenital limb abnormalities and Cleft lip/palate. Using my skills as an OT to change the lives of children and families is my true passion. My overall goal is always to help the child and family achieve their goals quickly and completely.

Flo, Occupational Therapist

Growing up, I spent my summers volunteering in an early intervention school in Colorado with my mom who was a teacher. I was exposed at an early age to children with special needs, and this experience gave me a passion to help enable families and children to live independent and fulfilling lives. Choosing occupational therapy as my career was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. I believe that empowering children and families is one of the best parts about being an occupational therapist in early intervention and I think that the natural environment of the home is the single best place for therapy to take place.

Lynn, Physical Therapist

At an early age I volunteered with my brother and mother at a Saturday swim program for special needs children where my older cousin was working as a counselor. That set the stage for my interest in both children and the medicial field. I got a BS degree in Biology first, deciding in my junior year that I wanted to go into physical therapy instead of medicine or research. I always knew I wanted to work with children and so in my graduate program for PT I was the first student allowed to do all my clinical internships with chidren. I began working with children in my first job and have not stopped since!

Stephanie, Developmental Therapist

I began my work in a children's music school and knew I wanted to do more. My passion for working with children and families was sparked in music, but my heart belongs in working with children with special needs. I chose to further my masters degree in Early Intervention with Autism Specialization and Applied Behavior Analysis certifications to better assist the families I am fortunate to work alongside.

Jaime, Physical Therapist

I decided to become a pediatric physical therapist when I was in junior high and saw an episode of Rescue 911 where a child was burned and received PT. I always knew that I wanted to work with kids and at that moment I realized that I wanted to help kids who were physically disabled. I previously worked with preschool kids, which was very enjoyable, however there is nothing like witnessing the moment when a child takes their first step. I not only try to help parents learn how to help their children progress but to also encourage the celebration of even the smallest steps towards their goal.

Shellie, Physical Therapist

Growing up my Mom worked for an Early Intervention company, and I will never forget the day she came home when I was in High School and told me, "I think you would love being a Physical Therapist." I started volunteering to see what it was like, and the rest was history! I have always enjoyed working with children, and it is my passion to help each child, through the help of their parents or caregivers, reach their maximum potential. I believe children are a gift, and feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with children and their families through the rejoices and struggles in life.

Sarah, Speech Therapist

I have an undergraduate degree in Biomolecular Science and planned a career in genetic research initially but quickly found that I was not passionate about this path. I met a speech therapist through my uncle and found my future. Moreover, I knew I knew I wanted to work with young children. Following the completion of my Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology I started working for Oklahoma's Early Intervention Program. I moved to Pittsburgh and began working for TEIS.

Lori, Physical Therapist

I am certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment. I enjoy working with preemies as well as children with neurologic diagnosis' such as cerebral palsy. I am also trained in myofascial release techniques and use this for treatment of torticollis. I have a son with Down syndrome, and these children have a special place in my heart, so I consider myself a specialist for children with Down syndrome!

Kristen, Occupational Therapist

I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 with a degree in Occupational Therapy, after which I worked for the next five years developing and supervising children’s program. During this period I spoke locally and nationally on community inclusion for children with special needs and trained over 50 recreation providers on how to provide inclusive community recreation programs. I have also co-authored two books on the subject of community inclusion. In 2005 I began working as an occupational therapist in outpatient, school and early intervention settings. My favorite thing about working in Early Intervention is having the opportunity to work with families to develop practical home programs that fit within the family’s routines. I specialize in the areas of sensory integration and feeding.