As a teenager, Alexis Soled was initially interested in studying psychology, which then shifted to nursing. While volunteering as a candy striper at a local hospital, she found herself fascinated by the rehab department, and thought perhaps physical therapy was for her, arranging to shadow therapists at a hospital.
What she didn’t expect was a conversation that would shape the rest of her life.
An occupational therapist called her before the visit to see if she might be interested in observing the OT department as well. Unsure about what OT was, she was told, “You work with people physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically to make them the best version of themselves that they can be.”
The words stopped her in her tracks. “Not only did it hit the nursing and the psychology parts that I loved, but the idea of helping people in those four ways, supporting the whole person,” she says. “I just thought, ‘This is it.’”
After spending half a day observing occupational therapy, Alexis canceled the physical therapy portion of her visit so she could stay in OT the rest of the day. And she never looked back. She went on to study occupational therapy at Boston University and began her career working in rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient settings. But even early on, there were signs that her future would eventually lead her to children and families. During college, she worked for a respite care agency supporting a young boy with Down syndrome, an experience she now describes as “almost like a foreshadowing” of her life’s work.
Her path to The Arc of Essex County began shortly after becoming a mother herself. In 1993, while looking for a way to continue working part-time in pediatrics, Alexis kept hearing the same name from different people: Stepping Stones School. Curious, she called then-director Judy Bellina and arranged to observe the early intervention program.
The moment she walked through the doors, something clicked. “I just looked around and said, ‘I’m in love right now. This is for me. When can I start?’”
More than three decades later, Alexis is the Director of the Stepping Stones Early Intervention program and has been a trusted guide for hundreds of families navigating their child’s earliest years.
Over time, her role evolved alongside her own growing family. There were years when she worked just a few hours a month while raising her children, and as they grew she was able to take on more at the school. “Stepping Stones truly became my second family,” she says.
That family atmosphere remains one of the things Alexis treasures most. She still hears from former students and parents decades later. Some send her updates about school milestones. Others ask for advice. Many simply want to share how far their children have come.
For Alexis, early intervention has always been about far more than therapy sessions or developmental milestones. “It’s helping families accept the journey,” she says. “We’re here to help you help your child, and we’re a team.”
As both a therapist and a mother, Alexis understands the emotions families carry when they first receive a diagnosis. She knows how overwhelming those early days can feel, and she believes one of the most important things professionals can offer is reassurance. “The first thing I would say is congratulations,” she says. “And then I would tell them: it’s going to be okay.”
That perspective shapes the advice Alexis gives every parent who walks through the doors at Stepping Stones. “Your baby is a child first. We all have something. Some of us wear glasses. Some of us wear hearing aids. Your child was born with Down syndrome — and that’s okay. They’re still a child first.”
Through more than 30 years at the school, Alexis has watched countless children grow from infants in early intervention into confident teenagers and young adults. For those families, Alexis has become exactly what that occupational therapist described decades ago: someone who helps people become the very best version of themselves they can be.
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Alexis is quick to credit the unwavering support of the Candle Lighters for helping make her journey possible, noting that their generosity and commitment continue to shape opportunities for children and families at Stepping Stones. She encourages current and future families to get involved with the organization, emphasizing that their support plays a vital role in ensuring that generations of children in Early Intervention programs receive the care, resources, and opportunities they deserve. Visit https://www.thecandlelighters.org/ to learn more.