Autism Evaluations & ABA Therapy for Children in Shorewood, IL
850 Brook Forest Ave Unit M
Shorewood, IL 60404
779-260-5677
shorewood@westsidect.com
815-373-5189
8 AM-7 PM Mon-Fri
Fast Access to Autism Services for Children Ages 5 & Under
At Westside Shorewood, ABA therapy is individualized, closely supervised, and built around the skills that matter most in everyday life—communication, daily living, independence, and emotional regulation.
For families who’ve noticed early signs and aren’t sure what to do next, virtual autism evaluations offer a fast, low-barrier first step. Results come back in days, not months.
Answers, Faster • Built for the Early Years • Skills for Home & School • Expert Therapists
When Should You Consider an Autism Evaluation?
Early identification is important, especially for kids under age 5. Potential signs of autism or another developmental difference include:
- Delayed speech or limited vocabulary
- Repetitive behaviors (e.g., lining up toys, repeating words/phrases, etc.)
- Limited eye contact or difficulty engaging with others
- Strong reliance on routines or becoming upset with small changes
- Sensory sensitivities, such as being overwhelmed by sounds, textures, or lights
If you’re considering an autism evaluation in Shorewood, our team is here to support you. We offer virtual diagnostic testing so you can get answers sooner, and from the comfort of home.
The Westside Way at Shorewood
At our Shorewood clinic, relationships come first. Our team takes the time to know your child, partner with your family, and celebrate every milestone along the way. You’ll find a collaborative team that brings genuine enthusiasm to every session and creates a place where kids are excited to walk through our doors.
Autism Evaluations & Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy in Shorewood, IL
At Westside Shorewood, families have access to comprehensive autism support under one roof—from initial evaluation through ongoing therapy —guided by a dedicated team at every step of the journey.
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For parents noticing early signs and are unsure of next steps, Westside Children’s Therapy offers fast access to autism evaluations with results in days. A licensed psychologist will be guiding you during the process and a Family Navigator helping map out the next steps.
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Our ABA therapy in Shorewood is built around the skills children need most—communication, daily living, self-care, and social connection. Programs are developed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts and delivered by trained therapists in a warm, structured clinic setting, with individualized plans that evolve as your child grows.
Why Families in Shorewood Trust Westside for ABA Therapy
Choosing the right ABA therapy provider is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Every parent deserves a team they can trust, a plan that makes sense, and progress they can actually see. Here's what keeps families choosing Westside:
- ABA Therapy Rooted in Everyday Skills: Our pediatric autism therapy in Shorewood is designed around what children actually need—communication, positive behavior, daily living skills, and emotional regulation.
- Results Families Can See: Progress in ABA therapy shouldn't be invisible. Our goal is to help children build skills that show up at home, at school, and in the community. Families receive regular updates on their child's development.
- Evidence-Based, Data-Driven Care: Every ABA therapy program at Westside is grounded in clinical data. Board Certified Behavior Analysts track progress closely, identify what's working, and adjust strategies in real time.
- A Supportive, Engaging Environment: Our Shorewood clinic is designed to be welcoming and engaging—a place kids look forward to coming to each week, where the work feels purposeful without feeling clinical.
- Family-Focused Approach: Caregivers are partners at every stage. We keep families informed, share practical strategies for home, and make sure the daily living skills children build in ABA sessions carry into real life.
Start Your Child’s ABA Therapy Journey in Shorewood
Getting started with ABA therapy should feel simple and supported. Here’s what to expect:
1. Reach Out
Contact our Shorewood clinic at 779-260-5677 or submit a contact form, and a team member will be in touch.
2. Initial Consultation & Insurance Verification
We’ll talk through your child’s needs, answer your questions about ABA therapy, and verify your insurance.
3. Begin Services
Move forward with an autism evaluation or ABA therapy—your BCBA will meet with your family, develop a care plan, and match your child with a therapist.
Meet Our Clinical Team
Morgan Pawula
Vice President of Operations
Morgan Pawula
Vice President of Operations
Morgan Pawula is the Vice President of Operations and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with a Master of Business Administration and a Master’s in Education. She is passionate about expanding access to high-quality, compassionate care for children and families while supporting the growth and success of clinical teams.
With a background spanning education, therapeutic day schools, and healthcare leadership, Morgan brings a unique perspective to serving children and families with diverse needs. Her clinical specialty is Skills-Based Treatment (SBT), and she is committed to delivering evidence-based, family-centered services that promote meaningful, lasting outcomes.
As Vice President of Operations, Morgan focuses on building scalable systems, developing exceptional leaders, and fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. She is passionate about creating innovative programs that improve access to care while enhancing both the patient and employee experience. She believes that strong partnerships with families, clinicians, and community providers are the foundation of exceptional care.
Outside of work, Morgan enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, and exploring new places. She values lifelong learning, community involvement, and creating opportunities that help children reach their fullest potential.
Ashley Fitzenreider
Regional ABA
Ashley Fitzenreider
Regional ABA
Ashley Fitzenreider earned a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from Western Michigan University and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with about 15 years of experience in the field of ABA.
Ashley began her career supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities before transitioning to a therapeutic day school autism program and later providing home-based ABA services in close partnership with children and their families. She has been with Westside Children’s Therapy for the past eight years, starting as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and growing into her current role as Senior Regional ABA Director. Her clinical specialties include Functional Communication Training (FCT), Verbal Behavior, treatment planning and clinical recommendations, medical necessity reviews, and mentorship and supervision of BCBAs.
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family—her husband and two kids, Cameron and Savannah. She loves cooking, trying new restaurants, kayaking, and boating, and she and her family take as many trips as they can to their home up north in Wisconsin throughout the year.
Bradford Czochara
Diagnostics
Bradford Czochara
Diagnostics
Bradford Czochara, Psy.D., ABN, LPC, CGP, earned his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University. He brings a strong clinical foundation to his work, with experience spanning neuropsychology and rehab psychology across the lifespan.
Bradford’s clinical interests include neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as providing individual psychotherapy and group therapy. He is committed to offering thoughtful, practical support tailored to each person’s needs and strengths.
Outside of his clinical work, Bradford enjoys music, video games, reading, and spending time with his family.
Brenda Boehm
Regional ABA
Brenda Boehm
Regional ABA
Brenda Boehm holds an MA in Special Education and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). She has worked in the ABA field since 2000, beginning her career in Wisconsin and building more than two decades of experience supporting children with autism and their families.
Her work has included serving as a Clinic Director in Australia, launching both home-based and center-based ABA programs in Malaysia for families in Malaysia and Singapore, and starting centers in Wisconsin and Illinois before joining Westside as a Regional ABA Director in 2026.
An experienced ABA leader, Brenda brings a strong track record in multi-site leadership and clinical operations, with a focus on clinical quality and operational performance. She is passionate about building mission-driven teams and driving excellence through data-informed decision making, OBM principles, and strategic leadership.
Outside of work, Brenda enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage sons, walking her dog, playing cards (especially Euchre), and visiting family in Wisconsin.
Emily Shearer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Diagnostics
Emily Shearer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Diagnostics
Emily Shearer is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping children and families better understand their unique strengths and needs. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa and has extensive experience providing assessment and psychological services across a variety of clinical settings.
Throughout her career, Dr. Shearer has worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the Learning and Attention Disorders Clinic, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the Center for Disabilities and Development. She has also provided services through University of Iowa Counseling Services, LittleStar ABA Therapy, and private practice.
Dr. Shearer specializes in the evaluation and diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that helps families gain clarity, access resources, and confidently move forward with the support their child needs.
Outside of work, Dr. Shearer enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, playing pickleball, and staying active through regular workouts.
Eun-Yeop Lee, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA
Diagnostics
Eun-Yeop Lee, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA
Diagnostics
Eun-Yeop Lee, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA, is a Massachusetts and Illinois licensed psychologist, PsyPACT-authorized psychologist, pediatric neuropsychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 10 years of experience in residential schools, hospitals, private practices, and therapy centers across several states.
Most recently, Dr. Lee served as a pediatric neuropsychologist at Northwestern Medicine’s Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and the Rush NeuroBehavioral Center. She is dedicated to understanding how neuropsychological profiles and medical conditions impact learning and behavior in children and adolescents.
Dr. Lee earned her doctorate in School Psychology from the University of South Florida, completed her internship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at The Watson Institute, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, and completed her postdoctoral training at McLean Hospital in Boston.
She has conducted comprehensive neuropsychological and educational evaluations for children with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, and other developmental concerns, providing families with individualized educational and behavioral recommendations. Since graduate school, Dr. Lee has been especially passionate about working with the Early Intervention population (birth to 3 years), with specialized interests in ASD diagnosis and training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
Outside of work, Dr. Lee enjoys traveling, staying active through sports and fitness, and is currently improving her surfing and golfing skills.
Kara Steiskal, Psy.D
Diagnostics
Kara Steiskal, Psy.D
Diagnostics
Kara Steiskal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from DePaul University, as well as a Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois (License #071-022326) and began her clinical work as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) before expanding her role during doctoral training to include diagnostic assessment and therapy services across community mental health centers, schools, and multi-disciplinary practices.
Kara specializes in diagnostic assessments for children ages 2–16, providing diagnostic clarification for concerns such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders. She also offers individualized and family-centered feedback sessions to review results and share tailored recommendations and resources. In therapy, Kara works with children ages 5–17 and supports a range of concerns including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, restricted/avoidant food intake disorder, adjustment concerns, attachment disruptions, and school avoidance. She provides individual therapy, parent training and support, and family therapy, using an integrative approach that draws from cognitive and behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and play therapy techniques.
Outside of work, Kara enjoys spending time with family and friends, spending time outdoors, cooking and baking, skin-care, and shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
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How long does it take to get an autism evaluation in Shorewood?
Westside Children’s Therapy offers fast access to autism evaluations. Most families complete the full evaluation process in 2 to 3 days—compared to the months-long waits typical at many providers. The entire process is conducted virtually, so there’s no need to travel or take time off work for in-person appointments.
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How much does an autism evaluation cost?
At Westside, autism diagnostic testing is billed to your insurance. Our team will work with your provider to verify coverage and costs upfront, so there are no surprises. There’s no obligation to continue with any services after testing is complete. We believe early answers shouldn’t come with unnecessary barriers.
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What ages does Westside treat at its Shorewood ABA clinic?
Westside Children’s Therapy addresses autism concerns from early childhood and throughout the teenage years. We believe that early intervention is essential for children on the spectrum, which is why the sooner you seek therapy, the better. This allows your child to develop vital skills that support long-term outcomes and self-sufficiency as they grow.
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How many hours of ABA therapy does my child need?
This depends on several factors, including your child’s unique needs, their learning difficulties, and our clinical assessment of their behavior. Some children may benefit from comprehensive ABA programs spanning hours each week, while others may need a more focused plan with fewer, more focused sessions.
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How can ABA therapy help my child with autism?
ABA therapy at Westside Shorewood helps children build skills across every area of daily life, including:
- Communication and social interaction — asking for help, greeting others, taking turns, and following group instructions
- Positive behavior — understanding the reasons behind challenging behaviors and replacing them with more effective ways to express needs
- Daily living and independence — getting dressed, following routines, doing simple chores, and managing personal belongings
- Emotional regulation — identifying feelings and using the right strategies to self-regulate when overwhelmed
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Is ABA therapy covered by insurance?
Yes, for our pediatric autism therapy in Shorewood, we accept over 100 insurance plans. This is to ensure that quality therapy remains widely accessible. You can get in touch with our Shorewood team to discuss insurance verification before getting started.
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How do you track progress in ABA therapy?
We track therapy progress for every child in real time. This allows us to understand their learning capabilities, spot roadblocks, and adjust the treatment plan accordingly to ensure unhindered growth as they progress through their developmental journey.
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How soon can my child start ABA therapy?
Appointment availability depends on the location, service type, and your preferred schedule. Once the initial evaluation and insurance verification are complete, we work to begin ABA therapy as soon as possible—at a time that fits your family’s routine.