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 6, 2019

Independent Living: Encourage Problem-Solving Skills in Children

Introducing problem-solving strategies can improve your child’s quality of life

The ability to solve problems is critical to living a peaceful, empowered, and productive life. Whether it involves a challenging question, a social conflict, or one of life’s bigger obstacles, people of all ages and walks of life struggle with various issues on a daily basis.

As an adult, the instinct is often to step in and solve any issues that your child may face. However, teaching your child problem-solving skills and encouraging perseverance are among the most valuable and enduring qualities you can try to bestow upon them.

The ability to combine critical thinking, tenacity, and problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles can lead to more success, confidence, and independence in life. Make a lasting impact on your child’s future by teaching them how to develop problem-solving skills.

Teaching solutions

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The correlation between problem-solving skills and greater ease in life is obvious, but the benefits may reach beyond simple stress reduction. A 2010 study of 439 teenagers indicated that a lack of healthy problem-solving strategies could lead to an increased chance of depression or suicide in adolescents. Helping your child learn how to solve problems independently can lead to better mental health and overall satisfaction in life.

Although all children tend to explore and investigate their environment to overcome obstacles, teaching your child strategies for solving problems can improve their self-esteem and increase their willingness to try new activities.

Your child’s ability to use creativity and critical thinking to solve problems is largely dependent on their developmental phase and cognitive capabilities. Consider the following timeline for how to coach your child to develop problem-solving skills.

Birth to 3 years old

The best way to help your baby or toddler learn to solve problems is to give them space and support to do so. Young children learn through experimentation. Let your child try to fix small issues themselves, and offer verbal guidance instead of intervention. Stacking toys, shape sorters, blocks, and balls are all age-appropriate activities that offer opportunities to learn through play.

As your child nears preschool age, let them practice new skills by giving them small responsibilities, such as setting the table or putting on their own coat. Trying new things challenges children to find solutions.

3 to 5 years old

A large part of solving problems is understanding the emotions you’re experiencing. Young children experience intense feelings, but they don’t have the experience or vocabulary to identify and express those feelings yet. Teach your child about emotions and start a dialog about how to appropriately manage their feelings.

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Try reading books together and discussing the emotions and experiences of the characters, or engage in pretend play to open up opportunities to practice problem-solving in a safe space.

5 to 10 years old

Problem-solving is a multi-step process. Teach your child to identify the problem, brainstorm solutions, evaluate the consequences, and then choose the best option available to them. Encourage this strategy by asking open-ended questions to help guide your child through the steps.

Toys that involve building or creating and spending time outside playing with peers both allow children to practice finding solutions without adult help.

10 years old and up

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Provide opportunities for your child to practice solving problems by presenting them with scenarios that require unique solutions. Organizations like Odyssey of the Mind encourage critical thinking and resilience to solve a variety of problems. Getting involved in sports is another valuable way to practice overcoming obstacles and navigating conflict.

Also, work to create an ongoing dialog in your family that supports independence. For example, if your child asks you to purchase a big-ticket item, ask how they could earn the money themselves. Help older children brainstorm ideas or work together to write down a plan that could act as a guide to achieving their goals.

Teaching your child to develop problem-solving skills requires a fine balance of acknowledging feelings, encouraging independence, offering opportunities, and providing gentle guidance without directly intervening.

It can be difficult to see your child struggle, but watching as they incorporate the skills learned from these challenges to succeed in other areas of life will be its own reward. Set your child up for success and feel confident about their future by teaching them how to solve problems independently.

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.