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.

August 17, 2015

Therapists in Chicago: Sensory Processing Disorder

In one of our interviews with Step by Step Care Group’s Therapists in Chicago, Christine Deloria mentioned she worked with children that have Sensory Processing Disorder. Sensory Processing Disorder refers to people that have difficulty interpreting sensory information in the appropriate manner.

Definition:

We use our senses constantly, whether it is for eating, exercising, reading a book, or watching a movie. The process of how the nervous system receives messages from the senses and applies them to the appropriate motor and behavioral responses is called sensory processing. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where sensory signals do not get organized into appropriate responses. A person with SPD has difficulty performing everyday tasks since parts of the brain are not receiving the appropriate information to interpret the sensory information.

Symptoms:

SPD can affect only one sense, such as sight or touch, or it can affect multiple senses. The symptoms might differ based on how many senses are affected, as well as the age of the person (infant, pre-school, or adult). Some symptoms of an infant with SPD could be problems eating, sleeping troubles, difficulty shifting focus, resistant to pain, aversion to cuddling, and poor balance. Symptoms that might affect pre-school aged children may be constant moving, difficulty with fine motor skills, continuous motion, difficulty making new friends, mood changes, not understanding verbal instructions, and clumsiness.

Click here for a full symptom checklist.

Function Impairments:

People with SPD may have motor impairments that might be shown as clumsiness or spastic movements. Life skills such as dressing, eating, and other daily activities may be a struggle because of these motor inabilities. Research shows that some people with SPD suffer from low self-esteem and social-emotional problems. People may also suffer from depression or anxiety. (Ben-Sasson et al., 2009).

Diagnosis:

Sensory Processing Disorder is often misdiagnosed as ADHD. Children with ADHD sometimes have symptoms of sensory processing but sensory processing issues do not necessarily mean the child has an ADHD diagnosis. An early diagnosis of SPD is best for early intervention. As the child enters school, the child is exposed to a new environment with more sensory triggers and may worsen the SPD symptoms. A study was conducted and it was estimated that over half a million kindergarten children might be affected. (Ahn et al. 2004). A child is most likely to be successful in school if treatment is received at an early age.

Therapists in Chicago Treatment:

The most effective treatment for Sensory Processing Disorder is Occupational Therapy with sensory integration. In the beginning, most Therapists in Chicago work with students in a sensory-rich environment such as an OT gym. They will expose children to all different senses tools, and teach children appropriate ways to cope with the information. The sessions involve active and fun child play with sand, water, balls, swings, tunnels, and more. The Therapists in Chicago will begin to integrate their goals into the homes and schools of the families by offering therapy sessions in the home, clinical, and educational settings. It allows children to use their new skills in every day activities such as playing, eating, dressing, and sleeping.

If you would like to learn more about sensory integration and Occupational Therapy, or looking for an Occupational Therapists in Chicago, contact Step by Step Care Group at (312) 975.3928.

Resources:

“About SPD.” SPD Foundation. Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 June 2015.
Ahn, R. R., Miller, L. J., Milberger, S., & McIntosh, D. N. (2004). Prevalence of parents’ perceptions of sensory processing disorders among kindergarten children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58, 287–293.

Ben- Sasson, A., A.S. Carter, and M.J. Briggs- Gowan. “Sensory Over-Responsivity in Elementary School: Prevalence and Social-Emotional Correlates.” J Abnorm Child Psychol (2009) 37 (2009): 705-16. Springer Science + Business Media, LLC, 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 29 June 2015.

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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.