What therapy services does Lumiere Children's Therapy provide?

Lumiere Children's Therapy offers comprehensive pediatric services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), social work, early intervention, autism testing, teletherapy, and a therapeutic preschool. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to create personalized treatment plans that support every child's unique developmental journey.

At what age can my child begin therapy?

We serve children from birth through 18 years of age. Early intervention can help address developmental delays before they become more significant, while older children benefit from therapy that supports communication, learning, motor development, emotional regulation, and independence throughout childhood and adolescence.

How do you determine the right therapy plan for my child?

Every child begins with a comprehensive evaluation completed by a licensed therapist. We assess developmental skills, discuss your concerns and goals, and use standardized assessments when appropriate. Based on the results, our team creates a personalized treatment plan that evolves as your child grows and reaches new milestones.

Can my child receive more than one therapy service at the same location?

Yes. Because Lumiere Children's Therapy offers multiple pediatric therapy services under one roof, children can receive coordinated care from speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, and social work professionals. This collaborative approach improves communication among therapists and creates a more consistent experience for families.

Does Lumiere Children's Therapy accept insurance?

We work with many major insurance providers and help families understand their available benefits before therapy begins. Our experienced administrative team assists with insurance verification, claim submissions, billing questions, and payment options, making the process as simple and transparent as possible for parents and caregivers.

What should we expect during our first therapy appointment?

Your first visit focuses on understanding your child's strengths, developmental needs, and family goals. A licensed therapist will complete an evaluation, answer your questions, and explain recommended services. You'll leave with a clear understanding of the next steps and a personalized treatment plan designed for your child.

Why do families choose Lumiere Children's Therapy?

Families choose Lumiere Children's Therapy because we provide individualized care through a collaborative team of experienced pediatric specialists. From evaluations and insurance guidance to ongoing therapy and family education, we're committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care that helps children build lifelong skills and confidence.

How can I schedule an evaluation at Lumiere Children's Therapy?

Scheduling an evaluation is quick and straightforward. Simply call our office, send us an email, or complete the contact form on our website. Our friendly team will guide you through every step, including insurance verification, appointment scheduling, and preparing for your child's first visit so you can get started with confidence.

September 19, 2016

Benefits of Imaginative Play

“Arghhhh, mom and dad, I’m a pirate!” “You’re under arrest! I am a police officer! Stop right there!” “I am a waving my magic wand at you, because I am a fairy princess!” These phrases, like many other, may sound familiar to you. They are examples of comments made by children who are exhibiting imaginative play, otherwise known as pretending to be something (or someone!) they are not. Imaginative play is an amazing opportunity for children to completely immerse themselves into the lives of others. It is the only instance in which you may be a fire fighter one day, a doctor the next, and a teacher the following. Although imaginative play is considered creative and fun, it is also linked to the development of social, cognitive, and language skills.

Social Skills:

Pretend play it is usually based around a familiar experience. They may re-enact their doctor’s visit, grocery shopping, school day, or favorite movie. Even though these experiences are part of their routine, children usually take on different roles during pretend play. They may be the doctor, parent, or teacher instead of themselves. By acting as these people, children are able to develop Theory of Mind.

Theory of Mind is the ability to understand that one’s thoughts and feelings may be different than others. Pretend play can also help children cope with real- life situations. For example, a child may feel scared during their doctor visits, but during pretend doctor visits, the child may act as the comforting doctor. Frequent calming phrases may be used such as, “This won’t hurt”, “Don’t worry it will be over soon”, and “you can have a lollipop afterwards”. Children may also re-enact stressful home situations like illness, death, or divorce. This will help children understand other family member’s feelings on the issue and practice coping skills of their own.

Thinking Skills:

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Imaginative play requires a ton of thinking skills and strategies. Divergent thinking is highly present in pretend play. Divergent thinking is the ability to think of many different ideas, themes and symbols. It allows children to be creative while expressing both positive and negative feelings. After the child accomplishes the difficult task of creating the plotline, children will be faced with compromise and negotiation.

In a perfect world, the child will be able to play their chosen role and the plot line will follow their plan. Fortunately, this is not always true and will encourage children to practice compromise and flexibility. Also, children can practice self-regulation including reduced aggression, delay of gratification, and empathy. Every situation and problem a child faces during pretend play mimics adults’ every day challenges. Children will learn to balance their ideas with others, show empathy towards other’s feelings, assign roles, as well as build on other’s ideas.

Language Skills:

Listen to your child during pretend play. You will most likely notice your child repeating many of your own phrases. Imaginative play is a great opportunity for your child to reflect on all the language they hear throughout the day. They are able to learn meaning of new vocabulary words through context. Imaginative play may include common themes and plot lines of stories children hear in school or at home. Your child will start to connect spoken and written language together, aiding in the reading process.

Now that you are aware of the benefits of imaginative play, look for tips on encouraging pretend play next week on our blog! If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s imaginative play, contact Lumiere Children’s Therapy.

References:

“The Importance of Pretend Play in Child Development.” Bright Horizons Family Solutions. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2016.

“The Importance of Pretend Play.” Scholastic.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2016.

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Kaufman, Scott Barry. “The Need for Pretend Play in Child Development.” Psychology Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2016.

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT

Looking for expert pediatric therapy services? Our team specializes in helping children reach their full potential through compassionate, personalized care.

Book an Appointment → Call (312) 242-1665

Vasilikitsa “Kitsa” Antonopoulos

Vasilikitsa “Kitsa” Antonopoulos, MA, CCC-SLP/L is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience supporting children and families. After earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University, she gained deep clinical expertise working across pediatric hospitals, early intervention programs, and autism therapy settings.

In 2010, Kitsa founded Lumiere Children’s Therapy to create a holistic, collaborative space where children could receive personalized, multidisciplinary care. Her vision continues to guide Lumiere’s dedicated team of therapists, offering speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapy and more, to help every child reach their fullest potential.