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The Five Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Choosing a Treatment Program for Their Child & How YOU Can Avoid Them


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Next group is Sept 13, 2008

Limited to 20 children. Participants must have a sibling with disabilities and be aged 7-14. Click on the link above for more information!



Meet the Staff

Get to know us by clicking on our names.

Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed.

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 7 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.

Supervisor of Instruction and RDI® Consultant-in-Training

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… »

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… »

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.… »

Heather Wiersum, BA

Instructional Assistant

Throughout my college years I had many experiences working with individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. I worked with Calvin’s special education students assisting them in communication… »

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. »

Melanie Velting,

Instructional Assistant

I was employed as a paraprofessional in the public schools. I now enjoy time at home with my daughters during the school year, but like to stay connected with Horizons kids and families throughout… »

Alicia Johnson, BA

Instructional Assistant

I graduated from Western Michigan University in April with a Special Education degree. This summer, I am looking forward to working with new people and exploring new ways to think outside the box.… »

Lindsay Vander Kolk,

Instructional Assistant

I have spent my entire life in the water, and taught swim lessons for the last six summers. This is my first summer at Horizons, and I am extremely excited to meet everyone and start learning and… »

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! »