Free Advice and Support from Nicole and her Team Each Week

Get our award-winning email newsletter "On the Horizon" and discover:

• Simple strategies to support your child's development
• Effective ways to deal with challenging behaviors
• Treatment approaches to help your child and family


Siblings

Check out our next
Sibshop Event

We feel strongly that as part of our family-focused mission we need to be attending to the needs of all of your children, not just the ones with disabilities. We will be using the renowned Sibshop model that is designed to provide them with support, education, and fun.



Meet the Staff

Get to know us by clicking on our names.

Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.

Founder and Director, RDI® Certified Consultant

In 2003 I founded Horizons, along with my incredibly supportive husband, with the intent of offering summer programs for area children on the autism spectrum. Over the past four and a half year… »

Erin Roon, MA CCC-SLP

RDI® Certified Consultant and Speech Language Pathologist

Autism became a passion of mine approximately 10 years ago and I have been learning ever since. I can’t believe how lucky I was to have Nicole introduce me to RDI®. The improvements and… »

Michelle VanderHeide, BSW

RDI® Certified Consultant

RDI® has been the most wonderful, rewarding, and challenging job I have ever had. It has sparked a passion in me to see families come out of crisis and begin enjoying a changed relationship with… »

Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed.

RDI® Certified Consultant and Supervisor of Instruction

I joined the Horizons family over 3 years ago and I thoroughly enjoy the work I do here! I have teaching experience with children with a variety of disabilities, including cognitive impairments… »

Sarah VerMerris, OT

Occupational Therapist

I love pediatric OT because of the interaction with both children and their families, and feel so strongly about educating parents, who are truly the greatest agents of change in a child's life! »

Alicia Baker, BA

Lead Teacher

I have been working at Horizons since the summer of 2008 with the Summer CAMPS program. Last fall, I started working in the Individual Instruction program and am now the Lead Teacher and am getting… »

Tracy Enden,

Instructional Assistant

I love children and enjoy the rewards of meeting their individual needs each day. I can honestly say it is a beautiful experience to see the hope, joy, and peace the families and children gain here.… »

Bill Beurkens,

Instructional Assistant and Facility Manager Extraordinaire

Being married to Nicole for almost her entire professional career has enabled me to watch her take a dream of helping families of children with autism and make it a reality in this clinic. Now I get… »

Mary Foley, D.V.M.

Instructional Assistant

I wear two hats at Horizons. Sometimes I am here as an employee and sometimes as a client and mother of a son with autism. »

Betsy VanderPlaats, BA

Administrative Manager

Working here is such a blessing because I get to work with the most amazing people and also see the most amazing progress happen for families. It's an adventure every day! »