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.

November 13, 2019

Get Moving: How to Identify Gross Motor Skill Delays

Recognizing developmental delays is the first and most important step to getting help

One of the greatest challenges of parenting is walking that fine line between worrying needlessly and overlooking an issue that needs professional advice. Children are individuals who develop at their own pace and have different strengths and weaknesses — which makes it nearly impossible to know what to expect, regardless of how many children you’ve had before.

Due to the natural variation of abilities between children, it can be difficult to recognize a developmental delay with confidence. However, early intervention with treatment can make a significant difference in terms of overcoming obstacles. Learn more about the red flags that may indicate a delay in gross motor skills so you can decide whether your child would benefit from an evaluation.

What are gross motor skills

Gross motor skills require whole-body movement and generally involve the core muscles of the body. Standing, walking, running, jumping, sitting upright without support, and actions that involve eye-hand coordination are all key examples.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Childhood joys such as playing ball, riding a bike, or swimming all require gross motor skills, which emphasizes the importance of mastering these skills or recognizing deficits as early as possible.

Why gross motor skills matter

Gross motor skills evolve over time and assist in other important aspects of development, such as muscular strength, postural control, spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and balance. The development of gross motor skills begins as babies learn to scoot, roll, sit, crawl, and physically interact with toys. Encourage the development of gross motor skills in infancy by providing adequate time and space for unstructured play and room for the baby to practice reaching, grabbing, and moving.

Warning signs of a delay

Children generally develop motor skills from top to bottom. For instance, one of the first physical milestones for infants is the ability to hold their heads up. Next, they develop control of their upper bodies, followed by rolling over, sitting, standing with assistance, standing independently, walking, and climbing.

Children with a gross motor skill delay often have difficulties with the following:

Rolling over
Sitting
Walking
Jumping
Running
Head and neck control
Muscle stiffness or floppiness
Swallowing
Speech
Clumsiness
Posture
Muscle spasms

If you have concerns about any of the above — or if your child doesn’t seem to be growing the way they should, seems to tire quickly, is hesitant to engage in gross motor skills at the park or school, or is not hitting the typical benchmarks of development — bring up your concerns with your pediatrician. If you still have uncertainties or your pediatrician confirms your suspicions, look into no-cost Early Intervention programs available in your state.

How to help

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

The best way to help your child develop gross motor skills is through the simple act of playing. Encourage physical activity by engaging your child with physical movement as often as possible. There are several different techniques you can use, including:

Music: There’s something about music that inspires movement. Experiment with different tempos, dancing, playing simple instruments, and music/movement-based games like Itsy Bitsy Spider and the Hokey Pokey.
Toys: Avoid digital toys that perform for your child. Instead, choose toys that require manual interaction. Stacking rings, building blocks, balls, balance bikes, scooters, and playground equipment are all great options for practicing gross motor skills.
Activities: Teach your child games like Red Light/Green Light, Simon Says, Red Rover, and hopscotch. Sports, gymnastics, yoga, and obstacle courses also emphasize spatial and body awareness.

Early identification of potential delays in gross motor skill development leads to faster results and is the best way to help your child overcome any related obstacles in their future. There are a number of resources available to you to kick start this process, and you’re the best advocate they could ever hope to have. Assess your child’s gross motor skill development, discuss any concerns with your pediatrician, and then take advantage of the many resources that are available to you.

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.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

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.