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.

April 10, 2017

My Child is Walking, Now What?

As pediatric physical therapists, we are often asked, “my child has recently begun walking, what comes next?” This is a great question, because walking is the foundational basis for higher-level strength and balance skills contributing to future motor development.

When children begin walking, their gait is going to look a little shaky. Their arms are held up in the air, feet far apart, and hips wide. As they continue walking over the next 4-6 months, they gain strength and balance and their gait begins to change. Their feet will become closer together (shoulder-width apart), their arms will begin to swing at their side, and their heels will begin to hit first. During this time, it is important for new walkers to get lots of practice walking on different surfaces and over obstacles. With practice, children begin to gain the balance and strength to stand on one foot, a skill that translates to jumping, hopping, skipping, running, and ascending/descending stairs.

Here are some upcoming motor milestones for children based off a standardized assessment tool called the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale.

15-16 months

Walking up stairs, placing two feet per step, with help from a rail, wall, or holding the hand of a caregiver
Lifting foot to make contact with a ball

17-18 months

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Walking backwards 5 steps
Walking down 4 steps, placing two feet per step, with help from a rail, wall or holding the hand of a caregiver

19-22 months

Running forward 10 feet
Walking sideways 10 feet
Kicking a ball forward 3 feet

23-26 months

Jumping forward 4 inches with two feet together
Jumping up with two feet together
Walking up stairs without help, placing one or two feet per step
Walking down stairs without help, placing one or two feet per step

*Note; every child is unique and develops a little differently! The milestones described are for a child within typical development, walking between ages of 11-13 months. If your child began walking independently later than 13 months, then the subsequent motor milestones would then also be delayed by the same amount of months after 13 months. For example, if your child began walking independently at 15 months, then walking up stairs with the rail would not be expected until 17-18 months.

Activities and exercises to do with your new walker:

Lots of barefoot play. This will further strengthen the muscles in your child’s feet.
Hold your child’s hands at the level of his/her shoulder (not holding their arms above their head) and help them step up and down on a step stool or step. Make sure your child alternates leading with each leg.
Encourage your child to kick a ball, balloon, empty box, or empty water bottle.
Encourage your child to squat to the floor to pick up a toy and return to standing. Place objects on the floor and encourage your child to “clean them up” or “put them in a bucket” to encourage increased repetitions of squatting to floor and back up to standing for strengthening.

Shoe Recommendations

Another question we are commonly asked is regarding shoe recommendations for babies and toddlers.

Babies

Until your child is walking independently, shoes are not required. The main purpose of shoes at this age are for “warmth and protection”.Babies under the age of 10-12 months should wear a flexible, lightweight shoe such as a bootie.

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Toddlers

New walkers are encouraged to be barefoot within their homes to further strengthen the muscles and give sensory input to their feet, as well as encourage continued development of their foot structure. However, once children are walking outside of the environment of their homes, the best type of shoe for them is a supportive shoe with a flat heel, and a rubber, non-skid sole.

The shoe should be durable enough to provide a stable base, but flexible enough to continue to promote and support ”natural foot development”.

Orthotics

If your child is wearing orthotics, the best type of shoe is an athletic shoe to provide support and hold the orthotic in place. Generally, your orthotist will recommend going one size up in order to accommodate for the space of the orthotic.

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Lastly, once your child is walking, if your child is walking on his/her toes, with a limp, or
with one or both feet turned in, these could indicate an underlying musculoskeletal or
neurological condition.Contact a physical therapist for an evaluation or notify your
primary care physician for a physical therapy referral.
If you have questions about your child’s gait, foot position, or balance, contact Lumiere
Children’s Therapy for a physical therapy evaluation.

References

Peabody Developmental Motor Scales Examiner Record Booklet. Second Edition.
Sneha Gosalia, Dr. “Shoe Recommendations for Children”. DINOSAUR PHYSICAL

THERAPY. Web. 1 April 2017.

http://blog.dinopt.com/shoe-recommendations-for-children/

Rebecca Talmud, Dr. “What A Difference a Shoes Makes”. DINOSAUR PHYSICAL

THERAPY. Web. 2 April 2017.

http://blog.dinopt.com/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes/

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.