Meet Us
Our Owners
Elizabeth Urso Habansky | PT, DPT
Elizabeth has been a practicing pediatric physical therapist for 21 years in the Chicago region after graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Elizabeth has worked in both hospital-based and outpatient environments, including The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Pathways Center for Children. She has focused on pediatric care in the Illinois Early Intervention Program since forming her own practice in 2003. As her practice grew, she obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University. Elizabeth completed her board certification as a pediatric clinical specialist in 2007, is a credentialed Illinois Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator. Elizabeth's dedication to her patients is the driving force behind her success. As a mother of a young family, her passion for children and their development makes even the youngest patient feel comfortable.
Claudette Sanchez | MA, CCC-SLP
Claudette graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Claudette has specialized in pediatrics for the past 21 years with clinical experiences in school-based settings and private practice. She began her own practice in 2001 specializing in Early Intervention speech-language services. In 2009, Claudette partnered with Elizabeth to offer multidisciplinary clinic and home-based therapy services. Claudette is a mother of two young children who has transformed her love of children and interest in research into creative, successful treatment interventions for children with speech and language disorders. Claudette is a certified member of ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association). She is also a credentialed Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator through the Illinois Early Intervention Program.
Our Therapists
Physical Therapists
Christine Giffhorn | PT, DPT
Christine graduated from Saint Louis University with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She has experience in pediatric physical therapy working with children in the Illinois Early Intervention Program as well as in the area of youth athletic performance. Christine has worked with children who have developmental delays, Down Syndrome, seizure disorders, Angelman Syndrome, visual and hearing impairments, and various other diagnoses. She is a credentialed Illinois Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator, and has taken continuing education courses on Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), brachial plexus injuries, pediatric therapeutic taping for improved alignment and function, and the Perception-Action Approach.
Occupational Therapist
Laura Manson | MS, OTR/L
Laura earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in Saint Louis and her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She has experience working with children of all ages and has worked in a variety of clinical settings within schools and daycares, private clinics, and within the home. She has worked with children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), visual and hearing impairments, learning difficulties, and developmental delays. Laura enjoys working with families within the natural environment. She believes in empowering the family to support their child in reaching his or her full potential. Laura is a credentialed Early Intervention Provider through the Illinois Early Intervention Program.
Dana Ewert, | OTR/L
Dana earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago and her master's degree in occupational therapy from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. While attending graduate school, Dana gained experience working with children in both clinical and daycare/educational settings. She also completed an advanced study course in pediatric feeding and started exploring working with kids who experience a variety of sensory processing challenges. Dana has experience working with children with various disorders including Autism, sensory processing disorder, Down syndrome, developmental delay, and various neurological disorders. Dana is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and she is a credentialed Early Intervention provider through the Illinois Early Intervention Program.
Grace Deardurff | MS, OTR/L
Grace earned her Master's in Occupational Therapy from University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor's at the University of Notre Dame. She has experience working therapeutically with children from infancy through young adulthood. Her experience includes working with children on the autism spectrum, with fine motor difficulties, sensory processing disorder, social and emotional difficulties, and learning challenges. She has been trained in principles of applied behavioral analysis, and builds her occupational therapy practice from both the sensory and behavioral perspectives. Grace provides home-based and clinic-based therapy in addition therapy in the school and daycare settings. Grace is committed to partnering with parents to build holistic occupational therapy interventions to best meet their child's individual needs. She enjoys being a part of the family's lives and stories, and takes great joy in being a part of successes both large and small. Grace is a credentialed Early Intervention Provider through the Early Intervention Program
Speech-Language Pathologists
Lauren Ward | MA, CCC-SLP
Lauren earned her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from St. Xavier University in 2013. While attending graduate school, Lauren gained experience working with children in both clinical and educational settings. Early Intervention has allowed Lauren to pursue her passion for supporting speech and language development in young children and collaborating with families and other professionals. Lauren has experience working with children with various disorders including Autism, Childhood Apraxia of speech, sensory processing disorder, speech sound disorders, stuttering, and various neurological disorders. Lauren is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a credentialed Early Intervention Provider through the Illinois Early Intervention Program.
Alex Ducheck | MS, CCC-SLP
Alex earned her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Appalachian State University in 2013. Alex has experience working with children in the home, clinic, and school-based settings. She feels passionate about working with the Early Intervention population and their families to create individualized programming, while collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team. Alex uses evidence-based practice while treating children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, receptive and expressive language delays, feeding difficulties, and speech sound disorders. Alex is a certified member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, holds her Professional Educator License, and is a credentialed Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator through the Illinois Early Intervention Program.
Marlee Cohen | MS, CFY-SLP
Marlee earned her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University in 2018. Marlee has experience working with children from a variety of cultural backgrounds providing speech, language, voice, and pragmatic therapies in clinic, community, and school-based settings. Marlee enjoys working in early intervention because she is able to work with families in the child's natural environment providing play-based therapy. Through her experiences, her passion for helping children reach their full potential continues.
Our Office Staff
Sibil Garcia | Receptionist/Medical Billing Specialist
Sibil has worked in the medical field for over 10 years. Her first experience at a dental office sparked her love for medicine. Through her past experiences, she has gained knowledge and expertise in medical billing/coding and collections. Sibil has successfully handled work challenges that have contributed to both personal and professional growth. Sibil’s specialization in medical billing and coding has lead her to Kids on the Grow. Sibil is also a busy of mother of three children.