Blog Articles

How Autism Therapy Supports Early Intervention

How Autism Therapy Supports Early Intervention

Sometimes parents notice the little things first. Maybe your child isn’t responding to their name consistently. Maybe they avoid eye contact, struggle to...... View Article

Early Signs of Autism in Children: What Parents Should Know

  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how children communicate, interact, and experience the world around them. For many parents, the first signs can...... View Article

From Awareness to Belonging: Autism Acceptance and Support in Utah

  The Big Idea For decades, April was defined by one word: awareness. Light it up blue. Wear the puzzle piece. Post the...... View Article

Why Inclusion Matters: Helping Children with Down Syndrome Feel They Belong

Why Inclusion Matters: Helping Children with Down Syndrome Feel They Belong

  A little girl named Sunny holds her arms wide open, ready to greet the world. She has Down syndrome. She has a...... View Article

Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know

Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know

    When Jessica’s 18-month-old son stopped responding to his name, she thought maybe he just had selective the kind every parent jokes...... View Article

understanding the first 1,000 days of development

The Milestones You Might Be Missing: Why Early Signs Matter More Than You Think

The Milestones You Might Be Missing: Why Early Signs Matter More Than You ThinkWhen Sara was born with Down syndrome, her mother Brenda...... View Article

holiday giving

Holiday Giving That Changes Lives: 5 Meaningful Ways to Share Hope This Season

    The holiday season has a way of slowing us down just long enough to notice what matters most: connection, kindness, and...... View Article

Meet the Artists Behind the Cards That Carry Hope Forward

  Every giving season invites us to slow down, reflect, and look for the light that keeps us moving forward. At Kids on...... View Article

creating a halloween where children with special needs belong

Creating a Halloween Where Every Child Belongs

  Creating a Halloween Where Every Child Belongs   For many families, Halloween is a night filled with laughter, costumes, and candy. But...... View Article

What the World Needs to Know About Down Syndrome

Reframing Down Syndrome: What the World Needs to Understand

Every October, during Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we pause to celebrate a truth we see every day at Kids on the Move- that...... View Article

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Welcome to Kids on the Move

We inspire the world to reshape perspectives, drive solutions that empower
families, and revolutionize education and care to ensure that vulnerable and
disabled children live their best lives.

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Mat Dastrup, CFO

Mat Datstrop, Chief Financial Officer at KOTM, truly embodies a blend of expertise and visionary leadership. Joining Kids on the Move in September 2019, Mat brought a rich history of accomplishments, having served as CFO for manufacturing and software companies. His successful track record includes starting and selling three businesses, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic insight. As a licensed CPA and a Six Sigma Black Belt, Mat’s skill set is uniquely suited to driving innovation and accuracy within financial processes. His passion for integrating technology and developing robust accounting systems positions KOTM for long-term success. In his role, Mat is deeply dedicated to creating sustainable impacts that will echo throughout KOTM for decades. His presence in the organization is marked by a steadfast commitment to fostering an environment of lasting change, ensuring families benefit from his transformative work well into the future.

Ryan Erickson, COO

Ryan Erickson, the Chief Operating Officer of KOTM, brings extensive experience and a passionate commitment to nurturing innovation and growth. With over two decades spent as a thought leader and innovator across leadership roles in the medical, software start-ups, technical consulting, and information technology sectors, he has steered successful technology companies to new heights.

Ryan’s expertise is unparalleled. His dedication to mentoring entrepreneurs and CEOs in transforming ideas into reality speaks to his compassionate nature and deep-seated commitment to growth. Serving on several software and technical company boards, Ryan consistently helps these companies reach new heights.

At KOTM, Ryan is uniquely positioned to guide the organization into its next 40 years. His diverse skill set enables KOTM to not only meet current challenges with agility but also to strategically position itself for future growth under his committed leadership. Ryan continues to inspire hope and innovation, reinforcing KOTM’s status as a beacon of support and transformation for families everywhere.

Rachelle Rutherford, CEO

Rutherford is the strategic visionary and Chief Executive Officer of Kids on the Move (KOTM). A multifaceted and sophisticated businesswoman, she has led the trailblazing multimillion-dollar non-profit in its commitment to providing essential and comprehensive support, education, and therapies for children with delays and disabilities.  Rutherford has now spent 20 years in executive leadership roles within the telecommunications, genealogy, real estate, health care services, and education industries. Her notable contributions lie in her perseverance to find impossible and impactful solutions. Rutherford is skilled at reverse-engineering goals by mapping out exactly what is required for a successful outcome.

To help raise $150M to expand KOTM’s support services and establish a state-of-the-art center, Rutherford has partnered with Forbes Books to author and publish Chasing The Impossible, a captivating exposé delving into Kids on the Move’s transformative work. With it, she uncovers the compelling stories of resilience and hope from children, families, doctors, and community members who tenaciously pushed forward when faced with impossible odds or challenges.

Her profound understanding of what it takes to overcome the impossible stems from her own journey as a survivor of abuse and trauma, which has shaped her philanthropic missions, her intuitive nature, and her steadfast leadership. As a CEO, mom, speaker, and philanthropist, Rutherford believes discipline is one of the highest forms of self-love, consistently putting in the necessary work every single day to provide impactful solutions for others, promote a balanced and holistic lifestyle, and create opportunities for continuous growth and empowerment around the world.