Fun, Play-Based, Nurturing, and Calming Environment.
Abilities was co-founded by an Occupational Therapist and Speech Language Pathologist who share a similar vision for addressing the developmental and educational needs of children in a fun, play-based, nurturing, and calming environment.
Our mission is to prepare individuals with and without special needs for life success within their community and home.
Our philosophy incorporates the best of various developmental models to collectively address all aspects of a child's development. We believe in the strength of the family, and we promote wellness and development of all children.
We strive to help your children learn and grow which means we want to provide your children with top-quality care, including a supervised environment, a secure building with restricted access, and a nut-free facility.
Our Staff
Stacey Frasier, OTR/L
Founder/CEO
Stacey Frasier is a registered Occupational Therapist. She has worked with children in the Warren, Washington and Saratoga County regions for 27 years, providing services in the home, clinic and daycare/preschool settings. Stacey earned her degree at Utica College of Syracuse University in 1996. She has concentrated her study in Pediatrics, extensively in the area of sensory integration and its relation to motor skills. She excels in the treatment of sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders and ADD/ADHD. She utilizes a multi -faceted approach to treat children with developmental diagnoses including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Down syndrome.
Stacey maintains a high level of continuing education and is certified with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Stacey is trained in the Wilbarger Therapressure Technique and is currently pursuing certification in Ayres Sensory Integration. Stacey is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the New York State Occupational Therapy Association. Stacey provides fun, multi sensory based learning and therapeutic techniques to assist children to engage in their occupation of playing and learning, building the skills and confidence to thrive in their environment.
Trish Wildermuth
Preschool Director
Trish Wildermuth holds degrees in both Elementary and Special Education as well as a Master's Degree in Reading. She began teaching in 2001 and has taught at the intermediate, primary, and, most recently, at the preschool level. Mrs. Wildermuth has an intimate understanding of child development and is skilled in adapting curriculum to meet individual needs so every child can thrive. She believes that "education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of a fire" (William Butler Yeats) and strives to create a classroom community where children are actively engaged and inspired to explore and learn.
Anne Marie Boyea
Lead Teacher
Miss Anne Marie is the lead teacher of the 4-year-old class. She holds a degree in social work and has 30+ years of education and early childhood development -- from special education, elementary and middle school, to preschool, private school and in-home nannying. Ms. Anne Marie is a patient, hands-on teacher who has a knack for educating in the classroom, but also in real-world situations. She thrives on structure while simultaneously maintaining a nurturing and compassionate demeanor. Her favorite teaching methods include play-based learning, reading, imagination play, music and field trips – giving opportunities for children to express their emotions appropriately, reach developmental milestones, and for their personalities to shine through.
Meghan Leary
Lead Teacher
Miss Meg joins us as a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh where she studied early childhood education and Psychology. She strives to promote social emotional and physical development of children and excels in the creation and application of STEM projects and child-centered, multi-sensory instruction through play. Miss Meg focuses on hands on and personalized learning with children based on a child's personality and interests and develops classroom curriculums emphasizing multi-modality education and learning through play.
Nicole Shirk
Lead Teacher
Miss Nikki joined Abilities as a teaching assistant in the Early Intervention Program after moving back to the area with her 4 children and husband. Before becoming a mom, Miss Nikki was a live-in Nanny living in Italy and Japan for several years. Now the lead teacher of Toga Tykes, she enjoys using her creativity, love for teaching, and passion for art to create a space where the children can be creatively expressive to continue fostering self-confidence while being in an fun and safe environment.
Monica Isenovski, MS, CCC/SLP- Speech Language Pathologist
Nicole Nero, MS, CCC/SLP- Speech Language Pathologist
Emily Straight, MS, CCC/SLP-Speech Language Pathologist
Cheryl Lynch, OTR/L- Occupational Therapist
Amy Ripchik, MS, OTR/L- Occupational Therapist
Kim Patterson, MS, OTR/L- Occupational Therapist
Nicala Siriani, OTR/L- Occupational Therapist
Christine Battista- Office Staff
Erinn Kolligian- Teaching Assistant
Rena Gamache - Teaching Assistant
Tara Tuccerita - Teaching Assistant
Mary Attarian -Teaching Assistant