Amy Thrasher has been serving as a Speech-Language Pathologist at TLC since August 2019. Amy holds a BA in Psychology from Williams College and received her Master’s in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences from University of Colorado Boulder.

Amy’s passion for working with children began when she served as a counselor at a United Cerebral Palsy camp in New York as a teenager. As a graduate student at CU Boulder, she witnessed the transformative power of story, play and friendship as children thrived in an inclusive environment using the Storybook Journey approach to curriculum, studying with its creator, Sue McCord, in the Child Learning Center.  After serving as a speech-therapist in an inclusive setting in Denver, Amy returned to CU Boulder where she served as clinical faculty for 16 years.  There she developed programs for children with a range of needs, including programs to develop friendships among neurodiverse and neurotypical peers.

Amy lives in Eldorado Springs where she enjoys hiking and spending time at the creek with her husband and dog, as well as exploring her creative side through various arts and nature activities from rockhounding to embroidery to welding.  Amy’s passion for creativity, play, story and learning deeply influences her work, making her an invaluable part of the TLC team.

Christy has had a long and dedicated career with TLC, starting in January 1994, and returning in 2006 until 2021, and again in August 2023. She holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and has received numerous certifications, including Registered OTR by NBCOT, Inc, and licenses through DORA in Colorado. She also has specialized certifications in NDT, Crossinology Brain Integration, and The Listening Program. Christy’s passion for working with children grew from her early experiences of babysitting, teaching swimming lessons, and participating in Sunday School. Her first job as an OT in pediatrics helped her discover her love for the field, and over time, she became highly specialized in pediatric care.

Christy is passionate about sensory processing, primitive reflex integration, feeding challenges, fine motor skills, and energy work. She loves the creativity involved in her work, helping children learn new things, overcome challenges, and express themselves in new ways.

Outside of work, Christy enjoys hiking, reading, crafting, gardening, and conducting genealogy research. She was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Hyannis, Nebraska, and later graduated from the University of Kansas. Christy and her husband Bruce, a computer/aerospace engineer, have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Mia Girard is an Occupational Therapist and certified YogaKids teacher at TLC, where she has been a dedicated member since August 1996. Originally from Massachusetts, Mia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern California before moving to Colorado to pursue her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University. She began her career at Poudre Valley Health Systems, and shortly after, she found herself balancing work there with her roles at TLC’s preschool and therapeutic services. Eventually, Mia chose to focus her career on the place where her heart was—TLC Learning Center.

Mia is passionate about using play, mindfulness, and self-regulation techniques to support children’s development, especially in areas like sensory processing. Over the years, she has completed numerous trainings, including in Sensory Processing Disorder, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Reflex Integration, The Alert Program for Self-Regulation, Handwriting without Tears, and the TEACCH conference. In 2010, Mia became a certified YogaKids teacher, integrating yoga into her work to promote peace, understanding, and health, values that compliment TLC’s mission of helping each child reach their highest potential. She teaches YogaKids classes within the preschool and after school.

Mia is married and a mother of two wonderful young adults. When not working, she can be found at home in Fort Collins or at their cabin in the mountains. She enjoys travelling, yoga, doing anything creative, and being outdoors relaxing, hiking, SUPing, or fly fishing with her family. Mia’s younger years were filled with a passion for learning, attending live music events, and traveling to remote corners of the world. She later built a cabin with her family, where they now spend most weekends. Mia’s life is a blend of adventure, family, and a dedication to nurturing others.

Grace is a Speech-Language Pathologist at TLC, having joined the team in May 2016. With a Master’s degree in Communication Science Disorders and a certification as a Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM), Grace is deeply committed to fostering effective communication and supporting individuals with diverse speech and language needs.

Grace’s passion for working with children in early childhood settings stems from her desire to be an advocate for children and their families, offering creative and personalized solutions to communication challenges. She is particularly passionate about advancing the Neurodiversity Movement, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and supporting children with Apraxia of Speech and speech sound disorders.

Outside of her professional life, Grace enjoys spending time with her two daughters, finding joy in the balance between family and her meaningful work. Her commitment to both her profession and her family is a testament to her caring nature and dedication to making a difference in the lives of those she serves.