Insurance accepted

We accept many major insurance providers and private pay. We'll perform a complimentary benefits check on your behalf.
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How Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL Can Help

  • 12 rooms for individualized 1:1 therapy, including ABA, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy
  • Two gyms, featuring swings, a climbing wall, monkey bars, a trampoline, slide, and ball pit
  • A feeding room, art room, sensory room, and physical therapy room
  • Blossom Prep School room for social and school-readiness skills development
Immediate availability for 18-month to 4-year olds!

How Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL Can Help

Occupational therapy (OT) can play a vital role in supporting children's development, enabling them to gain confidence and independence in everyday activities. Our team of occupational therapists works with children across multiple areas:

  • Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening hand-eye coordination and hand strength for activities like writing, buttoning, and cutting
  • Gross Motor Skills: Building core strength and coordination to support walking, running, jumping, and other movements
  • Sensory Processing: Helping children interpret and respond to sensory input (like touch, sounds, and movement) in a way that feels comfortable
  • Self-Care Skills: Supporting independence in daily tasks such as dressing, feeding, and grooming
  • Social and Play Skills: Encouraging positive interactions, turn-taking, and cooperative play with peers
  • Emotional Regulation: Teaching strategies to manage frustration, anxiety, and other emotions effectively

Our compassionate team creates fun and meaningful activities to help each child succeed in their goals, supporting their development in a warm, inclusive environment.

Request an Assessment
Toddler climbing on play gym at therapy center

How Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL Can Help

Occupational therapy (OT) can play a vital role in supporting children's development, enabling them to gain confidence and independence in everyday activities. Our team of occupational therapists works with children across multiple areas:

  • Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening hand-eye coordination and hand strength for activities like writing, buttoning, and cutting
  • Gross Motor Skills: Building core strength and coordination to support walking, running, jumping, and other movements
  • Sensory Processing: Helping children interpret and respond to sensory input (like touch, sounds, and movement) in a way that feels comfortable
  • Self-Care Skills: Supporting independence in daily tasks such as dressing, feeding, and grooming
  • Social and Play Skills: Encouraging positive interactions, turn-taking, and cooperative play with peers
  • Emotional Regulation: Teaching strategies to manage frustration, anxiety, and other emotions effectively

Our compassionate team creates fun and meaningful activities to help each child succeed in their goals, supporting their development in a warm, inclusive environment.

Request an Assessment
Toddler climbing on play gym at therapy center

How Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL Can Help

Occupational therapy (OT) can play a vital role in supporting children's development, enabling them to gain confidence and independence in everyday activities. Our team of occupational therapists works with children across multiple areas:

  • Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening hand-eye coordination and hand strength for activities like writing, buttoning, and cutting
  • Gross Motor Skills: Building core strength and coordination to support walking, running, jumping, and other movements
  • Sensory Processing: Helping children interpret and respond to sensory input (like touch, sounds, and movement) in a way that feels comfortable
  • Self-Care Skills: Supporting independence in daily tasks such as dressing, feeding, and grooming
  • Social and Play Skills: Encouraging positive interactions, turn-taking, and cooperative play with peers
  • Emotional Regulation: Teaching strategies to manage frustration, anxiety, and other emotions effectively

Our compassionate team creates fun and meaningful activities to help each child succeed in their goals, supporting their development in a warm, inclusive environment.

Request an Assessment
Small child at pediatric therapy working on fine motor skills

Speech Developmental Milestones: Birth to 18 Months

If you're worried whether your child is meeting key developmental milestones, our speech therapists are here to help. Evaluations and services are covered by most insurance providers.

Even if you have just one of the concerns on this list, an evaluation can help!

Contact us to learn more about our services and determine whether 1:1 support is needed to facilitate your child's growth and development.

Request an Appointment
Birth to 3 Months
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    Does not turn to or pay attention to sounds
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    Does not coo or make sounds like ooooo, aahh, and mmmmm
4-6 Months
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    Does not giggle or laugh
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    Does not look at or follow objects with their eyes
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    Does not vocalize during play or with objects in mouth
7-9 Months
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    Does not respond when you call their name
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    Makes no gestures or only a few gestures, like reaching, waving, or pointing
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    Does not recognize names of some people and objects
10-12 Months
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    Does not respond to simple words and phrases
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    Does not say one or two word phrases (e.g. mama, dada, hi, bye)
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    Does not point, wave, show, or give objects
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    Does not imitate or initiate gestures for engaging in social interactions and playing games
13-18 Months
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    Does not follow directions (e.g. give me the ball, show me your nose)
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    Does not shake head for "no" or nod head for "yes"
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    Cannot identify one or more body parts
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    Does not point to make requests, comment, or get information
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    Does not use a combination of long strings of sounds, syllables, and real words
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    Does not use or understand at least 50 words

Occupational Therapy Developmental Milestones: Birth to 18 Months

If you're worried whether your child is meeting key developmental milestones, our occupational therapists are here to help. Evaluations and services are covered by most insurance providers.

Even if you have just one of the concerns on this list, an evaluation can help!

Contact us to learn more about our services and determine whether 1:1 support is needed to facilitate your child's growth and development.

Request an Appointment
4-5 Months
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    Becomes very upset when moved and is frequently irritable for no reason
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    Hands remain closed or fisted most of the time
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    Does not reach for objects
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    Does not follow an object with their eyes
6-7 Months
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    Does not support self on forearms with head in midline
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    Does not bring hands or objects to mouth
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    Does not have good head control
8-10 Months
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    Does not transfer an object from one hand to another
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    Does not actively grasp large objects or finger foods when placed in front of them
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    Is not beginning to pick up small objects
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    Is not beginning to show finger isolation
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    Is excessively upset about being moved, dressed, changed, or bathed
12-14 Months
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    Is not interested in age-appropriate toys
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    Is excessively upset by loud noises
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    Is not able to pick up small objects, such as a cheerio, with the tip of the thumb and tip of the index finger
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    Is not able to voluntarily release an object from hand
15-18 Months
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    Is unable to complete a simple shape puzzle
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    Is unable to stack 2-4 blocks
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    Is unable to identify and point to body parts
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    Does not engage in pretend play

How Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL Can Help

Occupational therapy (OT) can play a vital role in supporting children's development, enabling them to gain confidence and independence in everyday activities. Our team of occupational therapists works with children across multiple areas:

  • Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening hand-eye coordination and hand strength for activities like writing, buttoning, and cutting
  • Gross Motor Skills: Building core strength and coordination to support walking, running, jumping, and other movements
  • Sensory Processing: Helping children interpret and respond to sensory input (like touch, sounds, and movement) in a way that feels comfortable
  • Self-Care Skills: Supporting independence in daily tasks such as dressing, feeding, and grooming
  • Social and Play Skills: Encouraging positive interactions, turn-taking, and cooperative play with peers
  • Emotional Regulation: Teaching strategies to manage frustration, anxiety, and other emotions effectively

Our compassionate team creates fun and meaningful activities to help each child succeed in their goals, supporting their development in a warm, inclusive environment.

Request an Assessment
A child smiling while lying down and enjoying the gym space at North Shore Pediatric Therapy in Evanston
Small child at pediatric therapy working on fine motor skills
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): the Gold Standard Assessment for Autism

Frequently Asked Questions about Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL

Request an Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions about Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL

Frequently Asked Questions about Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL

Small child at pediatric therapy working on fine motor skills

Frequently Asked Questions about Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Lake Forest, IL

Request an Assessment

Testing for autism may be appropriate if your child...

Review the list below and check all the items that resonate with your child's behavior and development.

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    Is easily upset by changes in routine, disruptions in play, or transitioning between tasks
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    Does not make eye contact, follow your gaze, or look at an object that you pointed to
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    Engages in a particular movement repeatedly
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    Does not talk back or babble as if having a conversation
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    Recites specific songs, phrases, or words
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    Prefers to play alone or next to others rather than playing with others
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    Did not start to speak, say words, or talk by the age of three
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    Is bothered by loud noises, smells, texture, foods, clothing, or being touched
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    Does not smile back when you smile at them
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    Has a pediatrician, daycare, or school staff member that has raised concerns about their developmental needs or autism

Count the items you checked above. If your child meets 5 or more of the criteria above, we encourage you to explore a formal evaluation.
Early diagnosis and intervention are key, and our team is here to answer questions or to schedule an assessment.

Request an Appointment
Meet our interdisciplinary team

Expert Pediatric Therapists Dedicated to Supporting Children in Lake Forest, IL

We know how important it is for you to feel confident in your child's care, which is why we want to introduce you to the licensed professionals in Lake Bluff, IL who will be supporting your family every day.

Are Early Intervention Services at North Shore Pediatric Therapy affiliated with the Illinois Early Intervention Program?

Our early intervention services are offered independently, with no affiliation with the Illinois Early Intervention Program. However, our therapists have deep experience working with children of all ages, especially those 3 years old and younger. Our private practice provides a range of therapies, including speech, occupational, physical, mental health, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and autism or comprehensive neuropsychological testing, tailored to meet the unique needs of each child.

While both programs aim to support children's development, there are a few important differences. You should make the most appropriate and reasonable decision for your family and child’s current situation.

 
That's us!
Blossom illustration with the words North Shore Pediatric Therapy
Illinois Early Intervention
How quickly are services available?
We can start therapy right away during the morning and early afternoon times (8 AM – 3 PM) with no wait lists at almost all North Shore Pediatric Therapy locations.
Depending on your geography, there could be longer waiting lists for evaluations and starting EI services.
Who qualifies for services?
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Open to all children, and therapies are personalized based on your child’s needs. For insurance reimbursement, some clients may require a referral and diagnosis, which we’ll work with you to
Children may not always qualify for EI services if they are not determined to have a developmental delay of 30% or more in certain areas of development.
If autism is suspected, who can diagnose this?
We have an in-house neuropsychology team dedicated to providing convenient autism assessments to families who suspect or have been referred to for autism testing. A formal diagnosis can open paths to additional therapies, support, and accommodations for a child. Like other therapies, testing is usually covered by insurance.
EI does not provide formal autism diagnoses. EI focuses on developmental assessments and providing therapy services to support areas of delay. If a formal autism diagnosis is needed, families are typically referred to a specialist, such as a neuropsychologist or developmental pediatrician, outside of the EI system.
What is the cost of services?
The cost of services depends on your insurance plan, just like a visit to any other medical specialist.

Your plan’s deductible (how much you need to pay on your own before insurance begins covering services), copays (a daily or per service fee that some insurances charge), and coinsurance (how much of the ongoing costs are covered after meeting your deductible) all impact the cost of therapy.
EI evaluations and coordination of services are free, but therapy services are not. EI sets a family participation fee based on your family’s income, size, and any significant out-of-pocket medical expenses. In many cases, if your child is covered under a private insurance plan, you are required to use your insurance benefits to help cover the costs of EI services.
Where does therapy happen?
Therapy happens in a center with gyms, play spaces, tools, and special equipment to help your child.

A center environment means that therapists with different specialties can collaborate on the same case and can provide socialization opportunities with other clients during
EI therapists come to your home or work with your child in community settings, which can be very convenient for families.
How long do services last?
Therapy can continue as long as your child needs it, even beyond age 3. You have more control over how long your child receives services, including transitioning from one service to another depending on your child’s unique needs.
Services are reviewed regularly and continue only if your child still qualifies. Services end when your child turns 3, with support to transition to school programs.

Getting to Our Lake Bluff, IL Center from Lake Forest, IL

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Our clinic is located within the Lake Forest Pediatrics building. The clinic has two entrances to accommodate our clients; one larger entrance for our younger pediatric clients and a smaller entrance for our adolescent Neuropsychology and Social Work clients.

Who We Serve

Our interdisciplinary services in Lake Bluff include ABA Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy, helping children develop essential social, adaptive living, and leisure skills. Our Lake Bluff ABA Therapy & Pediatric Therapy center proudly serves families in Lake Bluff and surrounding areas, including Lake Forest, Libertyville, Gurnee, North Chicago, Waukegan, and Green Oaks.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Getting to Our Lake Bluff, IL Center from Lake Forest, IL

Map location icon

Our clinic is located within the Lake Forest Pediatrics building. The clinic has two entrances to accommodate our clients; one larger entrance for our younger pediatric clients and a smaller entrance for our adolescent Neuropsychology and Social Work clients.

Who We Serve

Our interdisciplinary services in Lake Bluff include ABA Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy, helping children develop essential social, adaptive living, and leisure skills. Our Lake Bluff ABA Therapy & Pediatric Therapy center proudly serves families in Lake Bluff and surrounding areas, including Lake Forest, Libertyville, Gurnee, North Chicago, Waukegan, and Green Oaks.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Getting to Our Lake Bluff, IL Center from Lake Forest, IL

We provide in-person testing for suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder in Evanston, Arlington Heights, Naperville, and Deerfield. Through our Early Autism Testing Clinic, children 4-and-under undergo a three-hour, play-based assessment which can be scheduled within two weeks of families reaching out to us. Autism testing is covered by most major insurance providers.

Arlington Heights

3030 Salt Creek Ln
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005

Deerfield

707 Lake Cook Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015

Des Plaines

950 Lee St
Des Plaines, IL 60016

Evanston

1638 Maple Ave
Evanston, IL 60201

Naperville

1755 Park St
Naperville, IL 60563

Assent-Based, Neuroaffirming Care for All Children

It’s important that your child feels respected, safe, and understood during therapy. At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, we believe in providing care that’s not only effective but also neuroaffirming, respectful, and focused on what each child and family needs to lead independent and happy lives. Our approach values each child’s unique way of participating and empowers parents as essential partners in their child’s journey.

Supportive and diverse group of Naperville team members from North Shore Pediatric Therapy, working together to provide exceptional care.

We embrace neurodiversity and promote individual strengths.

Our approach to ABA therapy and all of our therapies is rooted in the belief that every child brings unique abilities and perspectives. We aim to nurture these strengths while addressing any challenges.

We create an environment of acceptance and understanding for each child that walks through our doors.

An occupational therapist with two children in our Lincolnwood, IL center.

We partner with you for your child's success.

By collaborating closely with families, we create individualized therapeutic approaches that respect and integrate your deep understanding of your child's needs.

We value your input, keep you informed on your child's progress, and empower you with strategies to support your child outside of the clinic environment.

A therapist and small child smiling brightly in the Lincolnwood, IL center.

We empower your child and respect their voice.

We prioritize your child's autonomy, ensuring their voice is heard and incorporated into the therapy process to foster self-confidence and personal growth.

We'll work with your child's sensory sensitivities and respect their need for routine, and do not work towards "normalizing" behaviors at the expense of your child's creativity, individuality, and autonomy.

Two therapists and a small child playing at an inflatable pool, all seated in the center. The child is happily splashing water while the therapists assist and encourage them in their play.

We create positive change through consent and collaboration.

Our team is dedicated to creating an open, respectful environment where we meet your child where they are every day.

Therapy progresses cooperatively, always prioritizing your child's comfort and consent. Along the way, we make sure there is plenty of time for rest, play, and typical childhood activities.

We build skills for life in a comfortable environment.

We strive to help your child develop important life skills in a safe, supportive setting that respects their sensory needs and personal comfort.

Our therapists take time to build rapport with your child, customize their approach, and respect your child's sensory sensitivities and need for routine.

Testimonials

Success looks different for every child... But we bet we have a story that matches your child's needs. Like James, who started with us as non-speaking and lacking the ability to initiate and maintain social interactions. Today, he can speak complete sentences, clearly state his needs, and navigate social interactions with his friends!

Our infant daughter was in physical therapy with Anna Zahn for about five months.  Anna was consistent, patient, and wonderful with our daughter.  Anna was also clear in her communications with us as parents which helped us understand our daughter's progress and needs, as well as how we could help our daughter at home.  While we are proud that our daughter graduated PT, we will miss Anna's warmth and kindness.

Emily

I love this place! Chista is an amazing person, so sweet and kind and very professional in her work. All staff are very kind with children. I feel happy to find this place for my daughter. Thank you!!!

Maria Di Rita

I cannot say enough nice things about the staff! My son worked with Khadija as his ABA therapist and is finishing up this week with his OT, Sabrina. They were really instrumental in helping us navigate a new diagnosis. Both were so easy to approach with questions. From Leeann at the front desk to the RBTs (Alex, Rabbia, Molly, and many others), we always felt so welcomed. It seems like the staff genuinely enjoy their jobs, consistently offering feedback and suggestions on how to help my son.

Jennifer Peyer

We have been working with the amazing team at NSPT for many years. They have been essential in understanding and supporting our child. I recommend their services to anyone looking for their specific type of support.Posted to

Monica Terése Carranza

They are so sweet and kinds persons with professionalism and really worried about the kids and how help they to get new skills and moving forward with knowledge.

Alejandra M.

NSPT is fantastic! All of the staff are wonderful, accomodating, and make you feel welcome and comfortable. Alan is fantastic - he has helped our family tremendously and has such patience and purpose in everything he does.

Alex Ehrhardt

North Shore Pediatric Therapy has been amazing.  They have done a great job adjusting to the specific needs of my autistic child.

Matt Nakanishi

My 12 yr old son has a lovely support team in Robert (Social Work) and Lindsay (OT)! He gains so much from his sessions & I gain so much from the communication and brainstorming! Thanks!

Jennie Meyer

Contact us to get started

  • 1
    Submit an inquiry form
    Completing this secure form helps us understand how we can serve you.
  • 2
    We'll reach out to you!
    One of our dedicated team members will connect with you to discuss services, your insurance benefits, and your family’s needs.
  • 3
    Paperwork & insurance
    We'll review and confirm your insurance benefits, and we'll work with you to gather additional paperwork required.
  • 4
    Treatment personalization
    We'll schedule an assessment date for your child with one of our clinicians. This assessment will serve as the basis for your child’s personalized treatment plan. After, we'll meet to discuss recommendations and your child’s treatment plan and start date.
  • 5
    Start making progress!
    We will greet and welcome your child to our warm and supportive environment where our staff will provide 1-on-1 care to meet our treatment goals.