Ruth graduated from Indiana University with a Master’s degree and has completed many additional trainings in early childhood education – including sign language. Ruth has worked as a developmental therapist for many years and is typically referred to, in a loving way, as the grandma of the team. She has worked with children that have had delays in speech. Fine motor and gross motor, behavior problems, prematurity, hearing loss, vision problems, cognitive delays, autism, etc. Ruth believes strongly in the benefits of early intervention and working closely with the families to achieve goals. Ruth provides a very individualized session with a lot of activities designed specifically for the child.

Sherry has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. Since 2001 Sherry has been a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, CIMI. Also she has been providing developmental therapy to infants and toddlers through First Steps for 17 years. Sherry’s purpose is to work with families and children to achieve their developmental milestones.

Tiffane graduated from Taylor University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and went on to work on her Master’s at Concordia University where she received a Master degree in early childhood. She has been working with children of all ages since 2000. Tiffane continues gain knowledge through additional trainings and certifications, such as High Scope. Tiffane has three children who assist her in growing and learning everyday. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school and through Girl Scouts.

Sarah Crupe graduated from Ashford University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Special Education. Sarah has worked with children of all ages and abilities. She worked for nine years with Head Start and in the school system working with K-12th grade students. Sarah enjoys working with children and their families. Her motivation is watching the light in a child’s eyes when they discover something new in their world. When Sarah is not helping families she spends time with her husband and two children outdoors and on rainy days she likes to cozy up with a book or write short stories.

Erica received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from IPFW, and prior to that her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech State College. Erica has known since she was a little girl she has always had a special connection with young children and has pursued her life trying to encourage and influence young minds. She attended Anthis Career Center for early childhood education in high school and received her CDA as well. Through this program she was able to obtain a job at TLC Preschool and Daycare and eventually moving on to before and afterschool programs with the YMCA. Although she has ventured off into other job trades, children have always brought her back. Her passion is helping young children grow and learn to become their best selves. Erica is excited to help you and your child achieve all that is in store for them. Outside of work Erica enjoys being with her family, hanging at the lake, and vacationing.

Alexandra graduated with her Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Linguistics from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2019. While in school, she participated in the Speech and Hearing Club, ASL Pah! club and sign choir. She is thrilled to be working with the birth to three population, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact for each of her clients. Outside of work, Alexandra enjoys baking, quilting and reading

Sarah graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her studies focused on the area of early childhood development and neurobiological development and how they relate to language learning. Her passion lies with helping others and making connections that are both meaningful and helpful to those she supports through First Steps. She enjoys working with children and their families and her past experience as a nanny and a mother led her to pursue a career focused on language development. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys traveling, reading, and photography.

Helen graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne in 2010. She was involved in Speech and Hearing Club and ASL Pah! Club. Helen has work experience with children of all ages. She really loves children and helping them learn and grow. Helen has the ability to converse in Spanish and sign language. Helen enjoys talking to children and listening to them vocalizes their wants and needs. She enjoys being a part of a child’s experience as they learn to do something for the first time. She feels great reward in being a part of new experiences.

Jenna graduated from Indiana University- Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Over the past years, she has worked with children through daycare, church activities, tutoring and student teaching. Her experiences have included teaching two-year-olds and assisting in inclusive classrooms. Jenna had her first encounters with First Steps in high school through job shadowing a Developmental Therapist. She appreciates the mission of First Steps to work with families and knows that the impact she can have will be multiplied many times over through this team approach. Jenna enjoys making people feel comfortable and has a joyful, playful nature that helps her connect with little ones.

Linda teaches Special Education Preschool in an area public school system. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Special Education. Linda is part of the Autism Team and Assistive Communication Team in her school district and has been a developmental therapist with First Steps since 2005. Linda is best known for her abilities in working with difficult behavioral situations. Her loving nature allows both family and child to feel safe in her treatment.

I graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Special Education. I have been working with children for over 5 years as a nanny and an infant/toddler lead teacher at a daycare before becoming a developmental therapist. I have a passion for working with children and love the excitement of seeing them meet new goals and grow in their abilities. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, and traveling.

Arielle received her Bachelor’s of Science in General Studies from Indiana University-Purdue University of Fort Wayne as well as her associates in Early Childhood education in May 2013. Since then, she had worked at a childcare for 6 years, and worked at an autism center. She has since become a developmental therapist since March 2020. Throughout her life, she has loved every minute of helping children. The smiles she receives are priceless. She loves being crucial to a child’s development.

Nicole earned her Bachelors of Science in Child Development from Ball State University in 2018. She completed her degree with an internship at Hand In Hand. At the clinic she worked side by side with all realms of therapy. Following graduation Nicole join our team as a Development Therapist working to help families and children who are experiencing delays in fine motor, gross motor, speech, cognitive and adaptive domains. Nicoles experiences include working with children with special needs through volunteering in classrooms, working with Riley Hospital, and being a camp counselor for children with muscular dystrophy. These experiences have inspired her to further her education and she will be completing the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Huntington University. Her future goals are to focus on pediatrics in a clinic based setting. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with friends and family and volunteering her summers at a camp for children with muscular dystrophy.

Sara has a degree in Elementary and Special Education. Prior to serving young children through First Steps, she has had unique opportunities to teach special education, life skills, and English as a second language in various settings. Sara taught children with moderate disabilities on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona for 3 years, and spent seven years in Argentina doing volunteer mission work. She is fluent in Spanish and enjoys working with various multi-cultural settings. Sara is passionate about working with young children and their families to creatively assist them in achieving what they never thought possible.

Diana is a Developmental Therapist – Communication Specialists. She received a Bachelor Degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2013. She enjoys working with children and their families. Diana’s warm personality allows children to feel safe while working towards their goals. Diana is married and has 2 wonderful children. Diana enjoys spending time with her family, camping, and traveling.

Hello my name is Cassandra I am an occupational therapist. I live in Michigan 10 minutes north of the Border. I have a nearly 13 year old niece who I am now raising as my own. I raise and train golden retrievers. I’m working on homesteading. And I am married only to Jesus.

Brandi is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant who graduated from Brown Mackie College in July 2017. Witnessing the many milestones First Steps helped her daughter to achieve was one of the driving factors that encouraged her to pursue a career as a COTA. She strives to provide the quality service and support that her family received during those critical first years of her daughter’s life. In her free time, Brandi enjoys spending time with her two kids, watching Disney movies, online shopping with her Mom, and eating take-out food.

Kayla graduated from Huntington University with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Previously, she attended Indiana Wesleyan University and graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science. Kayla loves helping children of all abilities and coordinating with families to reach goals which are valued in their daily lives. Kayla strives to provide evidence-based, family-centered and (last but certainly not least) FUN occupational therapy to all her clients! In her free time, Kayla enjoys traveling and going on adventures with loved ones, staying active, and reading a good book!

Brad graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin where he received his Masters of Occupational Therapy and Bachelors in Rehabilitation Science. He has a passion for working with children and their families. He strives to provide fun and creative interventions while supporting and encouraging the child’s growth towards their goals. Brad enjoys hiking, playing games, taking his puppy (Koda) for walks, and spending time with friends and family.

Melanie Ruich attend the University of Findlay where she received her Masters of Occupational Therapy and Bachelors in Health Sciences. Melanie strives to provide holistic care though fun and motivating interventions. In her free time, Melanie likes to complete crafts, be outdoors, and hang out with friends and family.

Alyssa is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who graduated from Baker College of Muskegon in December of 2015. Prior to coming to Hand in Hand, Alyssa has had various experience in multiple types of settings including home care, skilled nursing, inpatient, and schools. Alyssa pursued being an OTA with joy of working with children to enhance their future and the person they can grow up to be. Alyssa moved to Indiana with her husband from
Atlanta Georgia, but originally is from their home state of Michigan. Alyssa and her husband have a four-legged fur baby, Bailey, that they adopted in August of 2019 who they love to spend their time with when not working. Alyssa not only enjoys family time outside of work, but also likes sports, outdoor activities, music, traveling, reading, watching movies, crafts, antiques, and anything Disney.

Kristen has been board certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy since 2011. She graduated with her Master’s degree in physical therapy in 2006 from Grand Valley State University. She has been working with infants and children of all ages as a physical therapist for over 12 years in a variety of settings. She feels her experience in each different setting adds much value to working with families in First Steps. Kristen truly loves empowering each family and individual to be able to do all the things they desire.
Casey Harper

Nicole Edmonds earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Grand Valley State University and has been a First Steps provider for the past 3 years. In addition to First Steps, Nicole is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage and teaches the pediatrics courses at Trine University in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She has always had a passion for pediatrics and continuing education. Helping families to develop skills to play with, get to know, and explore their environment with a kiddo that may need a different approach to meeting the world is something that Nicole finds to be incredibly rewarding. She aspires to find the “Just Right” challenge for each child and their family by learning about each person’s goals, strengths, and challenges and what is most important to them.

Kayla received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2014. Since graduation she has gained experience with the pediatric population working as a registered behavioral technician. She earned her Master’s of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Cincinnati in 2019. Kayla enjoys helping children learn language and has taken a special interest in Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC). Her passion is helping children, especially those with complex communication needs, find their voice. She has knowledge and experience working with children on the autism spectrum and other complex communication needs during her graduate school internships. She strives help each family become more comfortable with facilitating language and communication in their everyday activities. In her free time she enjoys taking jeep rides with her husband and hanging out with her friends and family.

Most families and children fondly refer to Beth as “Miss Beth”. Miss Beth has been a full-time First Steps practitioner for over 15 years. Beth graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She believes that in order to best serve her families she needs to have knowledge of a diverse range of topics including eating/swallowing disorders, nutrition, sensory based disorders, discipline practices, toilet training, play therapy, emotional development, and hearing disorders in addition to speech/language. So, Beth regularly attends classes, reads books, and attends seminars. Miss Beth’s promise to the parents is to be truthful, informative and work diligently to bring relief to the frustration and worry that may sometimes be present. Her goal is to replace those emotions with JOY.

Karen Koch received her Master’s Degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University. She has been a licensed First Steps provider for 10 years. She specializes in feeding disorders for preterm infants. Karen believes strongly in a family-centered approach to therapy and establishing trust with each family she works with and working toward goals together.

Tina is a Speech Language Pathologist. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne. She received a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Cincinnati. Tina is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology. Tina enjoys working with children ages 0-3 as they progress and grow in their language development to be the best communicators possible. She not only finds passion in working with children but loves working with the entire family.

Amy Yoder holds her Bachelors of Science, Speech and Hearing Sciences – Indiana/Purdue University, Fort Wayne and obtained her Masters of Arts, Speech Language Pathology- Indiana University, Bloomington. She has been working as an ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist for the past 10 years. Four of those years, Amy worked in the school system providing services to preschool-fifth grade students. For the last 6 years, she has worked as an early intervention service provider through First Steps. Amy’s love or working with the little ones demonstrated through her passion in her work. She loves seeing little voices come alive. Amy is a mother of three and believes her children have made her a better therapist through patience, perseverance, problem solving, and much more.