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.

January 25, 2016

Child Speech Therapy: Apraxia

Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder that affects a child’s ability to produce speech sounds. Many speech therapists in Chicago treat children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Whether you are concerned with your child’s speech development or your child was diagnosed with CAS, it is important to be knowledgeable on the disorder, symptoms, and the treatments available.

What is Apraxia?

A child with apraxia may understand language, but are unable to perform the motor skills necessary to create sounds and words. They have problems planning out how to move their lips, mouth, tongue or jaw to make the correct sounds. Apraxia is not due to muscle weakness or paralysis. Although the cause is unknown, genetics may be a major factor.

What does it look like?

Apraxia may look differently depending on the age of the child. A young child may have symptoms as follow:

1. Limited babbling.

2. Delayed onset of speech.

3. Only a few different consonant and vowel sounds.

4. Difficulties eating.

For older children, they may have more prominent symptoms:

1. Makes inconsistent sound errors.

2. Substitution of words and sounds during speech.

3. Slower speech.

4. Difficulty with longer words.

5. Speech is monotone or choppy.

6. May have difficulty with non-speech movements such as sticking out their tongue, smiling, or moving their mouth.

Treatment

Research has proven that children with Apraxia are most successful when they receive frequent speech therapy (approximately 3-5 times per week). Treatment for Apraxia may seem time consuming at first, but once the child begins to improve, therapy sessions may lessen. Therapy will focus on isolated exercises designed to “strengthen” the oral articulators of speech. Including multiple senses in therapy provides immediate feedback for the student, such as making sounds in the mirror, touching the therapist’s mouth or their own while making sounds, and hearing their sounds through a recording. At first, therapists may recommend using an alternative communication, such as sign language, to continue to encourage communication between their child without frustration and anger. Once the speech production has improved, the child will not rely on an alternative communication as much. Speech sessions are most successful in the home of the child, in order to create a routine. Families and caregivers should incorporate the speech goals into their daily routines. It is important to be patient with you child, and understand that they are capable of becoming successful in their speech performance with persistence and patience.

If you feel your child demonstrates any of the listed symptoms, please contact Step by Step Care Group for a SLP assessment and diagnostic. Step by Step Care Group will ensure a personalized treatment plan for your child.

References:

Cartagena, Elisa. “Apraxia? What’s That?” Teach Beyond Speech Therapy,LLC. N.p., 27 July 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.

“Childhood Apraxia of Speech.” American Speech-Language Hearing Association. 1919-2015 American Speech-Language Hearing Association, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.

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

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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.

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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.