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 11, 2016

Child Speech Therapy: Modeling

You would not assign your new employee to lead a meeting before they have attended and witnessed how your company runs their meetings. In a similar manner, you should not expect your child to throw a ball before they see someone modeling the action of throwing first. Modeling is crucial for children to develop their receptive language. A main component of receptive language is direction following. The child is more likely to understand the direction if a caregiver models the behavior first. Modeling is our fifth child speech therapy strategy for developing receptive language.

Definition of Modeling

Modeling is when a caregiver physically shows an action while verbalizing. For instance, the caregiver would say, “I am throwing a ball” while modeling the motion of throwing the ball. It is important to show the action before expecting the child to do it. If you are modeling a sound instead of an action, position yourself so the child can see your face. Direct their attention to your mouth, and model the sound slowly so the child can see the oral movement. Then you can encourage the child to imitate the sound. Although we eventually want the child to imitate the sound or movement, modeling is intended to only show a sound or action. Do not expect them to imitate the movement or the sound right away.

Different Types of Modeling

In order to encourage the development of receptive language, there are different types of modeling you can implement during play, car trips, and around the house.

Self-talk:Explain everything you are doing, seeing, hearing, or feeling. Your child does not necessarily need thave their full attention on you, but use clear, simple words to narrate your actions. For example, if you are making dinner you can report, “I am taking out the plates. Now I am turning on the oven. Time to stir the pasta.”
Parallel talk: While you are interacting with your child, narrate their actions and what they see or hear. Again, your child does not need to have to fully focus on you. Simply speak slowly and use simple phrases. If your child hears a fire truck, you can say: “The fire truck has its siren on. Jayden is covering his ears. The truck is loud.”
Expansion: Try to add one or two more words to what your child says. If your child says “Tree” you can say, “Climb tree”. If your child says, “Help Me,” you can suggest, “Can you help me?”
Praise:Always respond to your child’s verbal request using either a nonverbal or a verbal response. Nonverbal responses include clapping hands, smiling, or eye contact. Appropriate verbal responses would be to imitate your child and tell them you are happy they are talking. For instance, if your child says “ba” for ball, respond by saying, “That is a ball. I like your talking”.

Contact Step by Step Care Group to talk to a speech therapist if you would like assistance on how to appropriately model for your child.

Check out our past strategies on labeling, imitation, OWL, and focused stimulation.

Resources:

“Language Modeling Tips.” The International Series in Engineering and Computer Science Verilog® Quicstart (2002): 187-218. Center for Speech and Language Pathologist. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.

“Speech Therapy Tip #4: Learn to Model Sounds Masterfully.” The Speech PathWay. The Speech PathWay, n.d. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.

Swigert, Nancy B. “Chapter 8: Intervention for Receptive Language.” Early Intervention Kit. East Moline, IL: LinguiSystems, 2004. 85. Print.

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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.