What is Indiana First Steps?
Indiana First Steps is a statewide early intervention program that provides therapy services for infants and toddlers from birth to age three. The goal is to support children’s growth and development in their natural environments—like home or daycare—through family-centered services. Associates in Pediatric Therapy (APT) partners with First Steps to deliver high-quality care that helps your child reach their full potential.
Why choose APT’s therapists?
What are the Next Steps?
- Contact your local First Steps intake office to begin the enrollment process.
- A Service Coordinator will guide you through evaluations and help develop your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
- When it’s time to choose a provider, select APT—we’ll match your family with a caring therapist who fits your needs and goals.
APT is a Proud Indiana First Steps Provider!
Commonly Asked Questions
- Is my child not meeting developmental milestones for their age?
- Am I concerned about my child’s speech, language, or communication development?
- Does my child have difficulty with motor skills like walking, crawling, or using their hands?
- Has my child been diagnosed with a medical condition that may affect development?
- Is my child struggling with social interaction or play skills with other children?
- Do I have concerns about my child’s behavior, feeding, or daily routines?
- Would my family benefit from support and resources during my child’s early years?
These questions reflect the key areas that this program addresses (birth to age 3, developmental delays, communication, motor skills, medical conditions) while using parent-friendly language that helps families identify when early intervention might be beneficial.
Therapy sessions are play-based and take place in your home or your child’s natural environment, like daycare or a caregiver’s house. Your therapist will use toys, everyday routines, and items you already have at home to make learning meaningful and practical.
No special equipment is required—just your time, openness, and willingness to play and learn alongside your child.
You’ll have open, ongoing communication with your therapist through in-person visits, conversations before and after sessions, and regular check-ins. Our therapists see themselves as partners in your child’s development, always ready to answer questions, share strategies, and celebrate progress with you.
As your child approaches age three, your Service Coordinator will walk you through the transition process to preschool services. With APT, there’s often an opportunity for your child to continue therapy with the same trusted therapist in one of our outpatient clinics. Because we offer PT, OT, ST, and ABA in our clinics, your child’s growth can be supported seamlessly well beyond the First Steps program.
For more information about Referring a Child or Contact Information for the Blue River Services (SPOE), visit the First Steps of Southern and West Central Indiana website.
• Cluster I - APT Serves: Clark, Posey, Scott, and Vanderburgh counties
Please visit the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration website for the contact information for each cluster.
Meet Your First Steps Provider(s)
Taylor Brosmer
Discipline: Physical Therapy
Counties Served: Vanderburgh, Posey
Service Delivery Method: In-person, Clinic, and Telehealth
What I Love About Early Intervention: I love the opportunity to work with kids and families in their natural environments, where they are most comfortable!
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: You don’t have to have a doctors referral to seek services, you can call the early intervention number listed on the website and request an evaluation! I feel like not enough families know about First Steps and the incredible access to healthcare and learning/growing opportunities it provides for children and families.
Fun Fact About Me: I love to travel to national parks and hike! I enjoy every opportunity to be outdoors and explore nature.
Payton Eihusen
Discipline: Speech-Language Therapy
Counties Served: Clark, Scott
Service Delivery Method: In-home
What I Love About Early Intervention: I love working with little ones and watching them work towards and achieve their milestones! I’m passionate about educating parents on how they can use strategies in their daily routines to promote communication for their children.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: Therapists are here to support you and provide you with the tools to foster your child’s communication. Parents spend the most time with their kiddos and have the greatest influence on them.
Fun Fact About Me: I have four dogs!
Audrey Sweetland
Discipline: Physical Therapy
Counties Served: Clark, Scott
Service Delivery Method: In-person
What I Love About Early Intervention: I love helping children in that early phase of life– to make the most substantial gains in their physical mobility, that aids them as they grow and develop. As well as, assisting families with getting set up with the services and assistance that they need to help their child advance to their next therapeutic level.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: Early intervention is crucial to getting children and their families set up on the right track with all of the necessary services to help their child grow.
Fun Fact About Me: I love to knit, garden, and go on hikes with my husband, daughter, and dogs.
Kyle Courtney
Discipline: Occupational Therapy
Counties Served: Vanderburgh, Posey
Service Delivery Method: In-home, Teletherapy
What I Love About Early Intervention: I love supporting children right in the environments where they spend most of their time. It’s rewarding to partner with families and find realistic, meaningful solutions that help kids grow and thrive in their daily routines.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: Therapy is meant to be fun! Play is a vital part of a child’s development, and there are so many creative ways to play that can support growth and learning.
Fun Fact About Me: I have two awesome kids, and our dog Roxie keeps us all on our toes. I also love hiking and board games!
Kriston Pace
Discipline: Physical Therapy Assistant
Counties Served: Clark, Scott
Service Delivery Method: In-home, Teletherapy
What I Love About Early Intervention: I love getting to watch children make progress and meet big goals. I love knowing that I helped them do something that was hard and turn it into something easy that they do every day. I love getting to relieve the stress that builds on parents as well.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: the plans made for your children are individualized and based on your child’s and your family’s needs.
Fun Fact About Me: I am a big Green Bay Packers fan.
Gracie Ruth
Discipline: Speech-language pathologist
Counties Served: Vanderburgh, Posey
Service Delivery Method: In-home, Teletherapy
What I Love About Early Intervention: I love early intervention because it allows me to support children in their natural environments, where learning feels meaningful and fun, while blending play, connection, and evidence-based strategies that can leave a lasting impact on families.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: I wish parents knew that early intervention is a supportive, family-centered process designed to empower them and help their child thrive.
Fun Fact About Me: I have three dogs!
Jessica Bohnert
Discipline: Occupational Therapy
Counties Served: Vigo, Parke
Service Delivery Method: In-home, Teletherapy
What I Love About Early Intervention: Watching little minds absorb new skills and transfer them into their daily environments.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: It is crucial to building foundational skills for daily life.
Fun Fact About Me: Go Hoosiers!
Livia Wright
Discipline: Developmental Therapy
Counties Served: West Vanderburgh, Posey
Service Delivery Method: In-home, Teletherapy
What I Love About Early Intervention: What I love about Early Intervention is seeing children discover a new kind of creativity and adventurous spirit through diligence and curiosity.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: While exploring the realm of Early Intervention can feel daunting and overwhelming for families, there is no shame in consulting with an early interventionist as children can make great developmental strides despite previous or suspected potential diagnoses. We are here to help, not judge. As someone who needed speech and language pathology services as a preschooler, I went from barely talking to anyone but my mom to reciting children’s books to fellow classmates and teachers.
Fun Fact About Me: In addition to having a B.S. in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, I recently became Wilderness First Responder Certified. I earned this certification during the summer of 2025, interning for COR Expeditions in Lander, Wyoming.
Gracie Ruth
Discipline: Speech-language pathologist
Counties Served: Vigo
Service Delivery Method: In-home
What I Love About Early Intervention: Early intervention is such a powerful tool in enhancing a child’s development. I love integrating into a child’s natural environment, and including the whole family in the fun!
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is: children learn through play. My job is to help facilitate the play to enhance communication.
Fun Fact About Me: I love to travel all over the country to spend time with my children and grandchildren.
Jessica Bohnert
Discipline: Developmental Therapist
Counties Served: Vigo, Sullivan
Service Delivery Method: In-home, Teletherapy
What I Love About Early Intervention:
- Building relationships with families and watching their confidence grow.
- Helping children reach milestones that once felt out of reach.
- Working as part of a team truly makes a difference every day.
One thing I wish more families knew about Early Intervention is:
- It’s a free, family-centered service designed to help—not judge—parents and caregivers.
- The earlier support begins, the more impact it can have on a child’s development.
- Services are flexible and can happen right in your home or child’s natural environment.
Fun Fact About Me: I love sweets and desserts and will choose that to be my meal when eating out!
References
Please Note: For accuracy information on this APT page was found on Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, and Indiana First Steps.
