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 7, 2021

Why Is My Child Acting This Way? Behavior and ASD

little naughty boy standing with folded arms

Understanding the reason, or function, of behavior and how it explains inappropriate reactions

Key Takeaways:

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may display inappropriate behavior in various situations.
The function of behavior helps us understand the “why” behind a child’s actions.
There are four basic functions of behavior: attention, access, escape, and automatic reinforcement.
ABA therapists identify the function of behavior in children with ASD and help them better respond to situations.

Children on the autism spectrum may exhibit inappropriate behaviors in response to stressful situations. These episodes can be frustrating for parents and other family members or caregivers. How do you handle these reactions? What can be done to promote appropriate social responses?

The best way is by understanding what drives this behavior. In other words, “Why is my child acting in this manner?”

We explore the psychology behind the behavior children with ASD display, known as the “functions of behavior.” We also offer a solution: ABA Therapy and explain how knowing and understanding the “why” helps trigger the desired improvement.

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The Functions of Behavior Explained

The function of behavior is a commonly used phrase in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The function of behavior means identifying the “why” behind any behavior. ABA therapists start by uncovering why your child acts the way he/she does. Once the therapist understands what causes a child to behave in a certain way, he or she can work to help him or her respond more appropriately.

The Four Functions of Behavior

There are four basic functions of behavior, which are reasons “why” we respond in a particular way depending on the situation. They are:

Function #1: Attention

This one is fairly straightforward. A child wants attention from someone so he/she behaves in a way that will gain them access to attention. Other than parents, children may try to get the attention of others (siblings, classmates, and teachers) using inappropriate behaviors. The behavior they display might take the form of pinching a sibling, knocking something over, calling out in class out of turn, telling jokes at an inappropriate time, or losing their temper.

Function #2: Access

When children want access to something – whether it’s a toy, a special treat/snack, or an activity – they might act out until they get it. This behavior is typical of all children, especially toddlers and preschoolers. It’s why you may see a small child fall to the ground and scream if they don’t get what they want. Some children learn that having a tantrum works. The desire for “access” can sometimes be amplified in children with ASD.

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Function #3: Escape

Sometimes, a behavior is a result of wanting to escape from a situation that causes fear or stress. It may also be a result of avoidance for a child that doesn’t want to do something. A child who doesn’t want to brush her hair, for example, might throw her brush on the ground. A child who doesn’t want to clean his room might run away to avoid doing that.

Function #4: Automatic

Children, just like adults, engage in behavior that feels good. A child will scratch an itch, for example. In the case of children with ASD, certain behaviors may relieve stress or anxiety. Automatic behaviors can take the form of hand flapping, rocking back and forth, or making noises. Every child is unique, however, so their behaviors are special to them.

Why Understanding the Function of Behavior Matters

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Understanding “why” an inappropriate behavior occurs is the first step in improving it. Why did your child throw a book across the room? Why is she yelling? Why did he push you away?

Once the function is identified, an ABA therapist can work to redirect and improve the behavior by directly intervening on the behavior and teaching more appropriate behavior(s) to replace it.

How ABA Therapy Can Help Improve Behavior

ABA Therapy focuses on giving children with ASD the skills they need to thrive and become more independent. It helps children develop functional play, self-management, communication, and social skills

There are seven primary goals of ABA therapy:

Identify the behaviors you want to change
Set goals and outcomes
Determine how to measure progress and improvements
Evaluating your child’s skill level at the outset of therapy
Help your child learn new skills and coping mechanisms to avoid negative behaviors
Review your child’s progress over time
Determine if further therapy is necessary

While ABA Therapy focuses on the child, it also encompasses the family and caregivers so they can reinforce these lessons at home.

ABA Therapy at Lumiere Children’s Therapy

Your child’s behavior can impact his/her life in numerous ways, both at school and with family and friends. Our ABA Therapy program is designed to help children with ASD learn positive behavior while teaching you how to reinforce lessons at home. Our ABA team is made up of experienced professionals trained to give your child comprehensive and efficient therapy.

We also provide other comprehensive therapies so children with a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental conditions can achieve traditional milestones.

Our services include:

Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Developmental therapy
Physical therapy
Social work
Early intervention
Teletherapy

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.