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.

July 9, 2023

Child Speech Therapy: Bilingual Babies

According to the American Community Survey, one in five Americans speak a second language at home. That number will continue to rise as time goes on. Teaching dual languages is becoming more and more popular at home, daycares, and schools. Some benefits of being a bilingual child include using information in creative ways, maintaining stronger problem solving skills, having increased listening and communication skills, as well as possessing a much broader vocabulary. If you want your child to learn two languages, start as early as possible. The earlier a child is exposed to an additional language, the faster they can master it. The ability to hear and distinguish different phonetic sounds is most profound before age 3.

There are two basic approaches to teaching two languages:

One person, one language: In this approach, one family member would speak the first language and the other would speak the second language. For example, the mother may only speak Spanish to the child and the father will only speak English. Each person must actively interact with the child on a daily basis. This may include a grandparent, nanny, parent, sibling, or friend. It is important to commit 100% to that language. Do not confuse the baby by switching between both English and Spanish. The child will learn to anticipate one language from one person and the second language from the other.
One location, one language: In this approach, the child will learn one language at one location and the second language at a different location. For example, he or she may speak French at home but English at school. Be sure to research the school or daycare about their language emersion programs to ensure the best education for your child. In order to adequately master a second language, the child should be emerged in that language. If they only hear French for 2 hours a day and English the rest of the time, they will have a harder time proficiently learning French.

Learning two languages is a difficult, yet rewarding task. It is normal for children to interchange the two languages while speaking during this time of learning. Eventually, the child will be able to separate the two languages. It may take a child longer to build a vocabulary in one language while learning both languages. This does not mean the child necessarily has a speech delay. If you combine the amount of words the child knows from both languages, they should have around the same vocabulary of a child learning one language. If you feel your child is lacking words in both languages, there may be concern of a speech delay. Working with a bilingual speech therapist is the best option if this is the case. Contact Step by Step Care Group for a consultation to determine if your child will benefit from speech therapy.

References:

Cohen, Ilisa. “Bilingual Babes: Teach Your Child A Second Language.” Parents Magazine. Meredith Women’s Network, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 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.

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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.

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.

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