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.

August 22, 2017

Child Speech Therapy: First Word Users

After a year of detecting the meaning behind each type of cry, laugh, and sound, parents are anxiously awaiting their child’s first word. Typically the first word emerges around their first birthday or a few months after. Between 12-18 months, children are considered first word users for communication. (Pepper & Weitzman, pg. 8). The stages leading up to your child’s first word is particularly important, in a previous post we discussed the typical speech development timeframe. We will discuss the comprehension and expressive qualities of a first word user.

Ed Ivanushkin

What do they communicate?

Your child’s first words will most likely be objects, people or actions that are familiar to your child’s routine. The first word may be an imitation of a word they hear you say or produced completely on their own. Name all objects, people, and actions exposed to your child throughout the day to encourage talking. In order to be considered a true word, it should have a clear intention, be recognizable, and be used more than once.

First words do not need to be the exact pronunciation of the word. Before the age of 3 years old, speech therapists are less concerned about speech pronunciation compared to language development. Nana for banana and paci for pacifier are acceptable first words if your child is referencing the correct item. As your child uses the words more frequently, you will start to recognize what your child is communicating. Children will also over-generalize words and use the same word for multiple objects or people. For example, a kitty may be used for all 4-legged animals, and a ball may be used for anything round. One word may be also be used to express a whole message, for instance, “juice” may be expressed for “I am thirsty”, “I see juice”, or “is it time for lunch?” By attending to your child’s action, tone of voice, gestures, and facial expressions, you will be able to decipher between each meaning.

What do they understand?

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A child’s receptive language (understanding of words) is always greater than expressive language (spoken words). During the first word stage, your child increases the amount of words they comprehend. Your child will be able to point to familiar objects if you state, “Point to the flower”. Your child will also start to understand 2-3 word phrases such as “time to go”, “bath time”, and “get your cup”. Continue to model 2-3 word phrases while speaking to your child.

Check list for First word users:

If you can check at least 3 boxes in the understanding section and the first box of the expression, your child is considered a first word user. As your child progresses in the first word phase, they will be able to check all boxes before they start combining two-words.

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.