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.

February 22, 2016

Child Speech Therapy: Language Disorders

Language disorder is an impairment of spoken, written, or comprehension of language. A child with a language disorder may show delays in language milestones throughout their toddler and preschool age. It may involve the content, form, and function of language. With the assistance of Child Speech Therapy, a child with a language disorder can learn to communicate to their best ability while overcoming daily life challenges. Below is a brief description of prevalent types of language disorders.

Specific Language Impairment (SLI): SLI is a specific language disorder that occurs on its own, without another disorder. It includes difficulty with grammatical production and comprehension, slow vocabulary development, and inconsistent skills in production and comprehension. SLI is diagnosed after a child’s 3^rdbirthday. There is no known cause for SLI.
Apraxia of Speech:It is a motor speech disorder that is caused from a lack of brain to muscle communication. It is not due to a weakness in muscle strength. A child knows what to say, but the brain has difficulty moving the appropriate muscles to form words.  
Auditory Processing Disorder: APD is defined as how the central nervous system comprehends auditory information. It may result in complications of understanding speech sounds, especially in noisy environments.  
Autism: Child may significantly struggle with social interaction and communication. Engagement in repetitive behaviors is a main symptom of autism. A delay in speech and communication can be an early sign of autism.
Hearing Loss: Children should be tested at an early age for hearing loss, as it might be correlated to a speech delay. Children with hearing loss may hear a word differently and form sounds accordingly.  
Intellectual Disability: Intellectual disability is a condition of an incomplete development of the mind. It causes a delay in typical developments. It might take children with intellectual disabilities a longer time to verbalize their wants and needs. They may also struggle with forming words.  
Selective Mutism: A child who struggles with talking in certain situations. In most cases, students may not talk in school, but they do at home.  
Brain Injury: A brain injury is a traumatic damage or insult to an individual’s brain. According to Communication
Science and Disorders: A Clinical Evidence-Based Approach, approximately 1.5 millions of people each year are
affected by brain injuries. Brain injuries may occur in utero or can be acquired any time in a child’s life. The effects
on language are influenced by the severity of the injury and site of damage.

In order to determine your child’s speech delay, it is important to receive a diagnosis. Here at Step by Step Care Group, we have licensed therapists in Chicago who can assess the specific needs of your child and customize your child’s speech therapy plan accordingly.

References:

Bellis PhD, Teri James. “Understanding Auditory Processing Disorders in Children.” Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) in Children. American Speech- Language- Hearing Associations, n.d. Web. 22 June 2015.

“Childhood Apraxia of Speech.” Childhood Apraxia of Speech. American Speech- Language- Hearing Associations, n.d. Web. 22 June 2015.
“Facts about Intellectual Disability.” Intellectual Disability (2013): n. pag. Cdc.gov. CDC. Web. 22 June 2015.

Justice, Laura M., and Erin E. Redle. “Language Disorders in Early and Later Childhood.Communication Sciences and Disorders: A Clinical Evidence- Based Approach. Third ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, NJ. 198-231. Print.

“University of Michigan Health System.” Speech and Language Delay and Disorder: Your Child:. University of Michigan Health System, n.d. Web. 22 June 2015.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

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.