Meet Our Early Interventionists
Megan Bergman, LMSW
Early Interventionist
I have a BS in Psychology with a minor in Child Development from North Dakota State University in 2006 and a Bachelor's in Social Work in 2010 at Minnesota State University Moorhead and Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2018.
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What drew you to the field you’re in?
I have always loved working with children and their families.
What is your favorite part about working with children and families?
My favorite part about working with children and families is watching growth happen in real time. Creating and building relationships with children and their families, and helping them identify the family strengths.
We are a part of these families’ lives for a short time and get to see the parents’ hard work helping their child grow and learn. Hearing parents become excited and talking about their child’s progress, and the child wanting to show you what they can do.
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What additional trainings or continuing education have your completed that help you better serve children?
Currently working on implementing The Pyramid Model to promote social-emotional development and address challenging behavior in young children. I enjoy using different modeling techniques with parents to help empower them to support their child’s development.
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Do you have a favorite therapy tool you love using?
I enjoy using different modeling techniques with parents to help empower them to support their child’s development. Young children learn best in familiar environments and daily routines, and parents are their primary teachers.
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Why are you proud to be part of the T & K team?
I am proud to be part of T & K because of the teamwork our team has. We work together, everyone using their perspectives. We are able to problem-solve and support each other in ways that improve our work with families.
Lacey Wagner, MS OT
Early Intervention
Lacey is an Early Intervention Specialist working with children from birth to three. Lacey received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor of University Studies degrees from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Lacey has worked with children for the last twelve years. She started out working with at-risk youth and children with special needs through high school and into college. She has experience working in Early Intervention and the School System, and has worked in Early Intervention for 10 years.
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What drew you to the field you’re in?
I quickly developed a love of working with young children and their families. I believe in working alongside children with their families and caregivers, in their natural environments, to help them reach their full potential. ​
She enjoys being creative in finding the best ways to help children and their families manage their daily routines, to make each day a success. I enjoy developing relationships with families and celebrating their accomplishments.
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What additional trainings or continuing education have your completed that help you better serve children?
I enjoy providing routine-based, family-centered intervention through coaching families. I especially enjoy working to help families with developmental delays, feeding difficulties and childhood behaviors. I have training in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, Pediatric NDT, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECs), as well as other feeding, behavior, language and early childhood conferences. I have participated in ND’s Resilient Early Childhood Leadership Collaborative (RELC) Program. Lacey is a member of North Dakota’s Early Childhood Social Emotional Pyramid Model Training Group as a Practitioner Coach. I am working towards my Early Intervention Leadership Certificate and training for Lactation Counseling.
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Do you have a favorite therapy tool you love using?
I enjoys using everyday materials to help parents learn ways to support their child’s learning and development.
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Why are you proud to be part of the T & K team?
I am proud to work alongside such a great team at T&K Pediatric Services to help support children and their families through a team-based approach!
Alex Schroeder, LBSW
Early Intervention
I graduated from Minot State University and North Dakota State University with dual degrees in Social Work & Human Development/Family Science. From there, I honestly did not have a plan for what I wanted to do, but I did know WHO I wanted to work with—children!
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What drew you to the field you’re in?
Children are fascinating; their minds are similar to little sponges that absorb behaviors, language, and everything around them. Early Intervention sounded right up my alley. Monitoring child development has provided me opportunities to watch individual personalities flourish as the next generation grows. After 3.5 years (and counting) as an Early Interventionist, I'm still loving this field and the families I learn from.
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What is your favorite part about working with children and families?
Early Interventionists have the privilege of witnessing significant developmental progress during formative years. From one week to the next, children change. My favorite part is as simple as that- I get to watch them grow up! The families are always moving forward with successes (no matter how big or small they may seem). I love seeing the proud look on a family member's face as their kiddo shows off their newly developed skills at their own pace.
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Do you have a favorite therapy tool you love using?
Whatever the family has available is our tool! Early Intervention draws on using items within the household. That laundry basket in the corner may become a great push-toy walker, the soup cans might be a favorite stacking toy, or the kitchen pot will make an exquisite drum. I follow the kiddo's lead to see where it will take us during the visit.
Why are you proud to be part of the T & K team?
The T&K Pediatric Services staff holds many, many years of knowledge and experience. With different fields and specialties, we learn from each other every day. We do our best to create a lasting positive impact on our families' lives and provide support where we can.
Danica Brekken, M.Ed., LBSW
Early Intervention
What drew you to the field of Early Intervention?
As a social worker, I was naturally drawn towards working in early intervention because I have a deep passion for helping children and families thrive during critical years of development. I enjoy building strong, supportive relationships that empower families to overcome challenges and celebrate growth. Being a part of a child's early journey brings me so much joy!
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What is your favorite part about working with children and families?
My favorite part about working with children and families is the opportunity to build strong, supportive relationships where we learn from each other. I love partnering with families--hearing their insights, honoring their strengths, and working collaboratively to support their child's growth.
Having the opportunity to be a part of that journey is incredibly rewarding.
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What additional training or continuing education have you completed that help you better serve children?
Currently, I am in the process of completing my Master's Degree in Social Work and will graduate by December of 2025. My degree includes a certification in Trauma-Informed Practice, which I believe is essential in providing compassionate, effective support to families facing a wide range of challenges. I am also receiving ongoing training in behavioral health, further expanding my ability to meet families’ unique needs. In addition, I hold a Master’s Degree in Education, which inspires me to find creative, individualized ways to help every child learn and thrive.
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Do you have a favorite therapy tool you love using?
One of my favorite early intervention therapy tools is simply being creative with what families already have at home. I love finding everyday objects that can be used in meaningful, playful ways to support a child’s development—it keeps things fun, practical, and sustainable for families. Of course, I always keep bubbles on hand as they are a magical tool for engaging children in movement and joy!
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Why are you proud to be part of the T & K team?
I’m proud to be part of a team that truly values collaboration and support. We work together across therapy areas to ensure families receive the most well-rounded care possible, and I appreciate how open and approachable my coworkers are when I need guidance or a different perspective. Being able to confide in and learn from professionals in other disciplines not only strengthens my own practice but also enhances the outcomes for the children and families we serve. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by a team that shares the same passion for making a meaningful difference!
Larinda Hirshkorn
Early Intervention
I have bachelor degrees in Elementary Ed and Early Childhood Education from UND. I have a masters of education degree in Early Childhood Special Education also from UND.
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What drew you to the field you’re in?
I love early childhood because they are changing and learning so quickly. You can just watch them grow and blossom! Early childhood is where they are learning the foundational skills they will use for the rest of their lives and where you have the biggest impact.
What is your favorite part about working with children and families?
What I love most about Early Intervention is getting to see the kids right in their natural environment.
It really helps us understand them better and connect with their families and caregivers. There’s nothing sweeter than watching those little ones babbling and playing—totally unaware of just how much they’re learning in the process!
Do you have a favorite therapy tool you love using?
Play is the absolute best therapy! And anyone can do it! I particularly like simple, predictive action songs that anyone can participate in at their own level.
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Why are you proud to be part of the T & K team?
We have the best team! I love the wealth of knowledge that is available to me, just by asking a co-worker. If I am looking for ideas, there is always an OT, PT or speech therapist around to give me specific info. I have asked a lot of questions already and nobody has turned me down! Everyone truly just wants success for every child.