Nathalie Deutsch

Nathalie Deutsch, MA, BCBA, serves as Academy Director at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, where she leads the Chicago Therapeutic Children's Academy—the clinic's preschool readiness program designed to prepare young children with developmental needs for successful school transitions. Since assuming the Academy Director role in 2023, Nathalie has brought over 21 years of applied behavior analysis expertise, educational program leadership, and deep knowledge of school systems to the position.
Nathalie's educational foundation began at Bradley University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2002. This undergraduate training provided grounding in human development, learning theory, and research methods. She continued immediately to Western Michigan University, one of the pioneering institutions in applied behavior analysis training, earning her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2003. In 2004, following supervised fieldwork, Nathalie became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has maintained her BCBA credentials continuously for over two decades—a testament to her commitment to ongoing professional development and clinical excellence.
Throughout her distinguished 21-year career, Nathalie has devoted herself exclusively to supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum. Her experience spans diverse settings and age ranges, including home-based early intervention services for young children, therapeutic day school programs serving school-age students, and transition services for young adults ages 18-21 preparing for post-secondary life. This breadth of experience across the developmental lifespan gives Nathalie unique perspective on how to prepare children in early childhood for the demands and opportunities they'll face throughout their educational journey.
Nathalie is widely respected within the professional community for her clinical knowledge, leadership capabilities, and collaborative spirit. Team members value her mentorship, families trust her guidance, and fellow professionals seek her consultation on complex cases. She has developed particular expertise and passion for IEP (Individualized Education Program) navigation—helping parents understand their rights, prepare for meetings, advocate effectively for appropriate services, and ensure their child receives the educational support they deserve.
As Academy Director, Nathalie oversees curriculum development, staff training and supervision, family partnership and communication, transition planning to kindergarten and beyond, and coordination with outside schools and service providers. Her vision for the Academy centers on creating a nurturing, structured environment where young children build readiness skills while families gain confidence navigating the educational system ahead.