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.

October 7, 2020

Occupational Therapy: Understanding Fine Motor Delay in Children

baby plays in the constructor. small child puts the rings on the pins. concept of development of fine motor skills

Signs of fine motor delay and what you can do

Children develop on their own timelines – just because a child exhibits delayed fine motor skills doesn’t mean there is automatically a problem. However, there are times when early intervention is necessary. How do you know the difference, and what can you do if you suspect a fine motor delay?

In this guide, we will help you make that determination and provide some answers about what to do, such as Occupational Therapy.

What is fine motor delay?

Children use fine motor skills to make small (“fine”) movements with their fingers, toes, and other parts of their body, like their hands, tongue, and lips. Fine motor delay occurs when a child has difficulty with the movement of their small muscle groups. Fine motor skills require hand-eye coordination so a child can respond with the right movements. They also help children speak by coordinating the movement of their facial muscles, lips, and tongue.

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Fine motor skills allow children to grasp a crayon, use a spoon, or pick up a toy. They also allow them to form words as they get older.

Fine motor skills develop at different stages. Babies should begin to develop them as early as 2 months and exhibit progress throughout their lives. If these skills seem to be developing slowly or there is little progress, it may be a sign of fine motor delay.

Signs of fine motor delay

There are certain physical milestones a child should accomplish related to his/her age. If your child is having difficulty with his or her development, there are signs that can point to fine motor delay, such as:

Young child/toddler:

Has trouble grasping or releasing objects
Lacks hand-eye coordination
Appears clumsy
Doesn’t use both hands together

Older/preschool-aged child:

Avoids activities, like drawing, writing, and using utensils at meals
Has trouble picking up and manipulating blocks
Has issues scribbling on paper
Sticks his/her tongue out to taste food

Here is a timeline of some fine motor milestones you should be observing in your child:

4 months – Opens hands from fist, brings fingers to mouth, swings at dangling toys
6 months – Reaches for objects, moves objects from one hand to the other
9 months – Picks up small objects with three fingers, claps hands
12 months – Puts objects in a cup, bangs objects together, uses thumb/finger to pick up objects (pincer grasp)
2 years – Stacks blocks, puts blocks in rows
3 years – Is able to copy you drawing a circle, cuts paper with scissors
4 years – Draws person with body parts, able to manipulate buttons

Causes of fine motor delay

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In some cases, fine motor delay could be a sign of autism or some other physical, cognitive, or developmental condition. Premature babies often exhibit fine motor delay, as well as children with Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy. Delays could also be due to vision problems, dyspraxia, or other issues. Still, in other cases, the child may just need some help from an occupational therapist in order to meet age-appropriate milestones. Your pediatrician can check for these milestones at regularly scheduled intervals; consult with him or her to see if an occupational therapy evaluation would be appropriate.

Help for fine motor delay

Often, fine motor delay can be overcome through practice. A daily routine with fun activities can encourage your child to develop skills like grasping and manipulating, drawing, and working with buttons. Try engaging in active experiences with your child, such as kneading Play-Doh, mixing cookie dough, and putting spoonfuls of batter on a pan.

You can also start Occupational Therapy, along with Physical Therapy, to really help your child gain strength and master fine motor skills.

Occupational Therapy at Lumiere Children’s Therapy is an individualized, personal experience that focuses on a child becoming as independent as possible in their daily life. Sessions are play-based and center on the development of cognitive, physical and fine motor skills for your child. Physical Therapy is incorporated into treatment, as well. We will also teach you how to recognize your child’s behavior and continue working with him/her at home.

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Through a collaborative plan with you, we will work on:

Handwriting
Daily self-care skills
Visual motor integration
Visual perceptual skills
Social and peer interaction skills
Feeding
Self-regulation and attention
Sensory processing
Strength and coordination
Motor planning
Early development with infants

We provide comprehensive therapies so children with a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental conditions can achieve mile markers.

Our services include:

Developmental therapy
Speech therapy
ABA (behavior) therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Social work
Augmentative alternative communication
Early intervention
Teletherapy
Summer camps

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.