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.

June 23, 2021

Walk This Way: Common Gait Issues In Children

Talking about two common gait issues in children and how physical therapy can help

Key takeaways:

Babies begin to walk anywhere from 8 -15 months
Children usually have a proper gait (heel to toe) by around 15-18 months
Many children can walk up stairs one at a time and jump in place by age two, which is when you might notice different gait patterns.
Common gait issues include toe walking, flat feet, intoeing, bow legs, and knock knees

One common issue we see in young children is atypical walking, stepping, or running, otherwise known as a gait problem. Several conditions can affect how children walk and develop. As a parent, you may wonder if your child has a gait issue and if so, what can be done about it.

We discuss common gait issues, how they are assessed, and how physical therapy can help.

From baby to toddler

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New parents celebrate many milestones in that first year or so of life. One of the most momentous is when your baby takes his or her first steps. Babies can begin to walk as early as eight months but most begin around 11 to 15 months. There is usually a natural progression from first steps to confidently walking with little or no support. Babies usually start walking in the following ways:

Wide gait to aid in balance/support
Rapid steps
Short steps
Holding out arms to maintain balance
Legs rotating with some bowing
Flat feet with no evident arch

Most children do not start using a proper gait (heel to toe) until about 15-18 months. By age two, most can walk up stairs one step at a time and jump in place. Mature gait patterns usually develop in the early school years. During this time, you may notice different gait patterns or presentations.

Let’s look at two of the most common gait issues.

Gait Issue 1: Toe walking

Toe walking is defined as a failure of the heels to touch the floor while walking. A child may start by walking on their toes; however, this should resolve within one or two months to the heel-toe gait pattern. If not, outside support may be necessary to prevent future complications. Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW) is toe walking that doesn’t have a known pathological cause.

Toe walking is not always a cause for alarm in children but if it continues there could be an underlying neuromuscular or musculoskeletal condition.

Some causes of continued toe-walking including:

Cerebral palsy
Congenital contracture of the Achilles tendon
Paralytic muscular disorders (muscular dystrophy)
ITW
No known cause
Sometimes associated with developmental disorders such as autism, sensory processing disorders, etc

Toe walking may also be associated with hypersensitivity to touch. For instance, some children don’t like to feel certain surfaces on their bare feet so they go up on their toes to avoid contact with the floor.

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Gait Issue 2: Flat feet

Flat feet, or pes planus, is another common gait issue. It can present as the turning in or out of the foot or feet when a child stands or walks with no arch present. Often, you’ll hear an audible foot slap on hard surfaces. There may also be an unusual wear pattern on one side of your child’s shoes.

Over time, children with flat feet may overcompensate and roll one foot in too far. This leads to an uneven distribution of body weight, which might cause excess strain on the hips, knees, and ankles. The chances of developing pain and serious orthopedic issues later in life are likely.

Other common gait issues are:

Intoeing
Bow legs (genu varum)
Knock knees (genu valgum)

Assessing and treating gait issues

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Your child’s pediatrician should conduct regular gait assessments. You might notice certain issues and request additional assessments.

Gait assessment can include:

History

Looking at medical/family history
Factors surrounding pregnancy/birth/development
Perinatal events and motor development
Duration, progression, and severity of the issue
True gait issue vs. the appearance of one
Assessing symptoms and signs
Assessing sitting, standing, and walking habits

Musculoskeletal assessment

Spine, pelvis, lower extremities, hips, legs, knees, ankles, feet/arches
Postural assessment

Neurological assessment

Testing reflexes, sensation, balance, muscle tone, muscle strength, ruling out neurological conditions

Children with serious neurological/musculoskeletal/developmental issues may require more invasive types of treatment, from surgery to wearing body casts. Less severe cases will benefit greatly from physical therapy alone. Some children require a combination of both.

Physical therapy can include exercises such as:

Passive range of motion

Calf stretching
Hamstring/knee flexion and extension

Active range of motion

Animal walks (bear, crab, frog, penguin)

Strength exercises

Weight-bearing activities
Sensory integrations

Finding help at Lumiere Children’s Therapy

Lumiere Children’s Therapy applies a team-based approach to physical therapy. We focus on helping children develop muscle strength, balance, and a proper gait. Children receive physical therapy in the form of play so that sessions are fun, which helps to boost your child’s confidence. Every child is evaluated and given a personalized treatment plan to help him or her gain the necessary skills.

Along with gait issues, we also help kids with:

Gross motor delays
Generalized muscle strengthening
Body awareness
Coordination skills
Functional skills, such as stairs
Neuromotor reeducation following traumatic injury (spinal cord or brain injury)
Sports injuries (fractures, strains/sprains)

Lumiere Children’s Therapy provides other comprehensive therapies for children with a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental conditions.

Our services include:

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Developmental therapy
Augmentative alternative communication
Early intervention
Teletherapy
Social work

Lumiere Children’s Therapy is a full-service, multidisciplinary pediatric therapy practice located in Chicago that serves the developmental needs of children from birth to 18 years of age. Learn more about how our team of clinicians works to improve the lives of children and their families.

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.