Empowered Heroes Inclusive Therapy

Speech Therapy

At Empowered Heroes Inclusive therapy, our Speech Therapy sessions support children, teens, and Young Adults in developing and maintaining the communication skills they need to express themselves, connect with others, and thrive in daily life. Our licensed speech-language pathologists work with a wide range of needs, including: Expressive & receptive language delays Articulation & spee... Read More

At Empowered Heroes Inclusive therapy, our Speech Therapy sessions support children, teens, and Young Adults in developing and maintaining the communication skills they need to express themselves, connect with others, and thrive in daily life.

Our licensed speech-language pathologists work with a wide range of needs, including:

Expressive & receptive language delays

Articulation & speech sound challenges

Social communication (pragmatic language)

AAC (augmentative & alternative communication)

Fluency and stuttering

Language processing differences

We use play-based, strength-centered strategies that honor each child’s unique learning style because communication is a superpower, and every hero deserves to be heard.


Adaptive Fitness

Why Adaptive Fitness Matters: Key Benefits 🌟 Improved Physical Health Regular movement reduces the risk of secondary health conditions such as obesity, pressure injuries, and diabetes; supporting long-term wellness. 💪 Greater Independence Functional strength and mobility training empower participants to navigate daily life with more ease, confidence, and autonomy. 🧠 Emotional & Mental ... Read More

Why Adaptive Fitness Matters: Key Benefits
🌟 Improved Physical Health
Regular movement reduces the risk of secondary health conditions such as obesity, pressure injuries, and diabetes; supporting long-term wellness.

💪 Greater Independence
Functional strength and mobility training empower participants to navigate daily life with more ease, confidence, and autonomy.

🧠 Emotional & Mental Well-Being
Exercise helps regulate mood, build self-esteem, and improve overall quality of life fostering a stronger mind-body connection.

🤝 Social Connection & Inclusion
Group-based fitness and adaptive sports encourage friendship, teamwork, and a sense of belonging in a supportive community setting.

🛠️ Fully Customized & Accessible
Programs are tailored to each individual’s unique abilities, goals, sensory preferences, and pace ensuring success through a strengths-based approach.


Nutrition

Supporting Nourishment, Regulation, and Confidence; One Bite at a Time At Empowered Heroes Inclusive Therapy, our nutrition coaching is designed to help neurodiverse children, teens, and young adults build a positive relationship with food, without shame, pressure, or rigid rules. We understand that eating isn't just about nutrients; it's about sensory experiences, routines, emotions, and... Read More

Supporting Nourishment, Regulation, and Confidence; One Bite at a Time

At Empowered Heroes Inclusive Therapy, our nutrition coaching is designed to help neurodiverse children, teens, and young adults build a positive relationship with food, without shame, pressure, or rigid rules.

We understand that eating isn't just about nutrients; it's about sensory experiences, routines, emotions, and autonomy. Our approach meets each client where they are and celebrates progress, not perfection.

Sensory-Friendly Eating Strategies
Navigating texture, taste, temperature, and smell challenges with respect and creativity.

Expanding Food Variety—Gently
Using trust-based approaches to slowly and safely broaden food options without forcing or overwhelming.

Meal Planning & Real-Life Skills
Teaching how to plan simple, balanced meals, grocery shop, prep food, and make choices that support independence.

Body Autonomy & Intuition
Helping clients listen to their hunger, fullness, and preferences—supporting a healthy relationship with food and body.

Energy & Focus Support
Addressing how food impacts attention, regulation, mood, and stamina for daily tasks and school.

Support for Families & Caregivers
Offering guidance, strategies, and reassurance to reduce mealtime stress and create more positive food experiences at home.


Occupational Therapy

At Empowered Heroes Inclusive Therapy, our occupational therapy (OT) services are thoughtfully designed to support neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults as they grow, develop, and navigate the world in their own unique way. We focus on nervous system regulation, motor development, daily life skills, and sensory integration; always through a lens of respect, empowerment, and neurod... Read More

At Empowered Heroes Inclusive Therapy, our occupational therapy (OT) services are thoughtfully designed to support neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults as they grow, develop, and navigate the world in their own unique way.

We focus on nervous system regulation, motor development, daily life skills, and sensory integration; always through a lens of respect, empowerment, and neurodiversity-affirming care.
Our OT services support areas such as:
Sensory processing & integration
Helping youth better understand, tolerate, and regulate sensory input in ways that feel safe and empowering.

Emotional regulation & self-awareness
Building strategies for calming, grounding, and expressing needs effectively—using play, movement, and co-regulation.

Motor skills development
Supporting fine and gross motor coordination for everyday tasks like handwriting, dressing, cooking, and play.

Daily living & independence
Practicing real-life skills like organizing, planning, self-care, and transitions, at each youth’s pace.

We are proud to offer the Safe and Sound Protocol, a listening-based nervous system intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. SSP uses specially filtered music to gently calm the nervous system, supporting:
Improved emotional regulation
Increased resilience to stress
Greater social engagement and connection
Better focus and attention
SSP is delivered in a safe, customized way with therapist guidance, and can be a powerful complement to OT for youth who are sensitive, anxious, easily overwhelmed, or seeking deeper regulation tools.

Kelly Baumgartner is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Illinois with a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University.

Kelly has worked in school settings since 2021, providing speech and language therapy to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. She supports students with a wide range of communication needs, including expressive and receptive language delays, articulation and phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Her therapy is delivered in both individual and small-group settings, using collaborative approaches with educators and families to foster success across learning environments.

Kelly is especially passionate about AAC and empowering families to use communication systems confidently at home and school. She has experience with high-tech AAC tools including TouchChat and LAMP Words for Life.

She values building strong, trusting relationships with children and their families to create individualized, meaningful therapy experiences. Kelly believes that all communication is valid and works to support each child’s unique voice through compassionate, evidence-based care.

Kelly Baumgartner is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Illinois with a Certi... Read More

NADIA ALVAREZ T Nadia is a pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to helping children build the foundational skills needed for everyday life. She takes an individualized approach, tailoring treatment to each child’s unique needs, with a focus on fostering independence and supporting families for long-term success. She has experience working with children and adults ages 2–22 across school, ABA, outpatient pediatric, and private settings. Nadia understands how collaborative care between school and clinic settings enhances outcomes for children with a wide range of diagnoses and abilities. Nadia earned her B.S. in Community Health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2011 and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in 2014. She has also provided professional training on sensory integration and autism for staff working with neurodiverse children. Outside of work, Nadia enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga and meditation, and the outdoors. CERTIFICATIONS/SPECIAL TRAINING: Certified in Yoga for the Special Child ®, currently working on certification to become Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS), and a certified provider of the Safe and Sound Protocol

NADIA ALVAREZ T Nadia is a pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to helping children build t... Read More

With a deep passion for inclusive wellness, Krissy specializes in adaptive fitness and nutrition coaching for young adults with special needs. Her approach is rooted in patience, creativity, and individualized support, ensuring that every young adult feels empowered, capable, and celebrated. By combining movement with mindful nutrition, I create fun, accessible programs that foster confidence, strength, and lifelong healthy habits. Her mission is to meet each young adult where they are and help them thrive; physically, emotionally, and socially, through a holistic and compassionate lens.

With a deep passion for inclusive wellness, Krissy specializes in adaptive fitness and nutrition ... Read More

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Located at: 765 Ela Rd Ste 200, Lake Zurich
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