Medical Director-Dr. Laura Nicholson, MD, MPH Board Certified Developmental Pediatrician

Dr. Nicholson has practiced pediatrics in Montana since 1989. Since completing a fellowship in developmental pediatrics in 2004, she added developmental pediatrics. She retired from the Children’s Clinic in 2021 and began work on the need for interdisciplinary developmental assessment. Our community, especially STEP and U of Mary, have supported this project. Her family: her husband, Mark, who is running for state legislature, their three children, son in law and two adorable grandchildren fill the rest of her world. They love to backpack (which is why the clinic is not open during the summer).

Program Manager/ Special Education Teacher

Lynea Wallace is a Montana licensed special education teacher who is now the first contact when calling MtDAC. She will be the one to do all pre-clinic gathering and organizing including administering any needed evaluations. Lynea also administers the Battelle Developmental Inventory 3 during clinic day to those that need it. Lynea is also trained in giving the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS). Lynea is a parent of two very different autistic children who understands the process and journey and loves helping those in her community- which is why she loves being part of the MtDAC team!

MA, CCC-SLP

Nancy Rice graduated with a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from University of Montana. She has over 37 years of experience that she brings to Montana Developmental Assessment Clinic. Nancy is ADOS trained (Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale) and specializes in diagnostics and therapy for individuals with autism and social cognition/communication disorders.

Nancy says, “MtDAC not only provides a high quality interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation that gives answers to parents’ questions about their child’s development…MtDAC also provides a direction to finding needed services and provides recommendations including hands on strategies to help a child progress. It is a resource that helps children thrive, grow and flourish. I love being part of this collaboration of dedicated professionals!”

MS, CCC-SLP

Anna is a speech-language pathologist who provides therapy to those with autism through social communication, play, and language-based interventions. She has experience in alternative augmentative communication, sensory integration to support speech and language development, cognitive communication, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, speech sound disorders, and feeding.

Anna completed the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS) training in February of 2023 and since then has enjoyed being a part of the Montana Developmental Assessment Clinic (MTDAC).

She says, “I appreciate the collaboration between professionals in providing guidance to families and their children in our community. The multidisciplinary approach to differential diagnosis is truly the best practice.”

MS, CCC-SLP

Kendra received her masters degree from the University of Montana in 2015. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Montana state license for speech-language pathology.

Kendra has experience with developmental and acquired language disorders, speech sound disorders, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, augmentative alternative communication, and feeding challenges. Kendra has worked with clients across the lifespan, primarily focusing on the birth to 3 population. She enjoys collaborating with families and empowering caregivers to facilitate their little one’s communication through play and connection. Kendra is also trained in the Sequential-Oral-Sensory feeding protocol, Beckman oral motor protocol and is Hanen certified in the “It takes Two to Talk” program.

Kendra says “What I love most about being part of the MtDAC team is learning from and collaborating with other service providers to serve and support the children and families of our community”.

MS, CCC-SLP

Kelly Hickey works at MTDAC providing the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule evaluations. She has ten years experience as a school based speech/language pathologist in public schools in the Billings community and surrounding areas. She has special interests in early language development, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and helps provide the team with expertise regarding the process of public school special education evaluations, eligibility, and services.

Kelly joined MTDAC in the winter of 2022. She enjoys being a part of an interdisciplinary team to connect and learn from other top-notch professionals. She says, “It is incredibly powerful to bring minds together to create the best opportunity and path forward for the children and families we serve. “

Paula H. Kitzenberg earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota and her Master’s in Health Administration from Montana State University-Billings. She received specialized sensory integration training and her SIPT certification from the University of Southern California. She earned her occupational therapy doctorate degree from the University of Utah.

Paula has been employed by UMary since 2013 when they started the first occupational therapy program in the state of Montana.  She currently serves as the program director and associate professor for the OTD program in Billings.