Pediatric Physical Therapy in the Chicago Area

Physical Therapy

With physical therapy, kids improve strength, motor function, balance, and coordination. The majority of the work the physical therapy team does is based in play. Our team uses play to promote functional movement and improve outcomes in all settings.

That’s why you’ll see swings, ball pits, climbing walls, and all kinds of toys in our clinics. They’re important for your child’s therapy and will also help us create the child-centered environments that help our clients thrive!
Pediatric therapists in Lincolnwood, IL helping a child on a rock wall in our NSPT center.

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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Your goals are our goals

Should my child receive a physical therapy evaluation?

Signs of physical development delays present themselves differently depending on the child’s age.
We’ve listed out some red flags. If you notice any of these in your child, you may want to consider getting them evaluated.
Contact us now
Kid drawing of three blocks

We can help with...

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    Gait abnormalities: in-toeing, toe walking
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    Hypotonia or hypertonia performance
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    Torticollis and plagiocephaly
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    Hypotonia or hypertonia performance
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    Neurologic conditions: cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spasms, spina bifida, hydrocephalus
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    Orthopedic conditions: post-fracture, post-surgery, sports injuries, scoliosis
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    Traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury
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    Autism
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    Orthopedic conditions: post-fracture, post-surgery, sports injuries, scoliosis
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    Developmental or gross motor delay

We're trained in...

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    Gait training
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    Therapeutic exercise
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    Kinesiotape and therapeutic taping
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    Balance and coordination training
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    Manual therapy
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    Alignment and postural training
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    Development and monitoring of personalized home exercise program
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    Orthotic and adaptive equipment screening and management

Our centers have all the resources your child needs to have a blast while enhancing their skills.

INDIVIDUAL, 1:1 THERAPY ROOMS

Each of our individual therapy rooms is equipped to target your child's unique goals through one-on-one sessions with your child's Behavior Therapist.

These private spaces allow your child to focus and make progress on language, communication, academics, cognitive skills, emotional regulation, and more.

Autism therapy provider with a small child in Lincolnwood, IL.

GYMS & PLAY SPACES

Our gyms are some of our clients' most-loved spaces. They feature several kid-favorite activities, including swings, trapeze bars, slides, balls, and many other games.

Our gym spaces target strength, balance, coordination, and sensory processing in an environment of play.

Pediatric therapists in Lincolnwood, IL helping a child on a rock wall in our NSPT center.

SENSORY ROOMS

Our sensory rooms support clients in regulation and focus, tailored to your child's individual needs.

A sensory room is a safe environment designed to provide individuals the opportunity to decompress and cope with a variety of sensory experiences. Many of our kids find comfort in our sensory rooms while developing their visual, auditory, and tactile processing skills.

Cozy sensory corner designed to support children's development at North Shore Pediatric Therapy.

BLOSSOM PREP SCHOOL & CLASSROOM STYLE LEARNING

We have several classroom-style spaces to help our clients with group instruction, following directions, imitation skills, and parallel play.

Classrooms provide clients with readiness for their own school journey, in addition to opportunities for socialization and group learning.

ACTIVITY STATIONS

Our centers feature a variety of stations for activities that kids love. These include corners for reading, playing, and practicing real-world skills for inside and outside the home.

Our centers are built around learning spaces for clients to offer support with improving and practicing daily living skills.

"Interactive therapy room featuring sensory play equipment North Shore Pediatric Therapy.

TEEN & YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM ROOMS

We support a variety of ages in our centers, and provide curriculum-based programs for individuals aged 12-22 as part of our specialized Teen & Young Adult program.

Adaptive therapy area designed to support children with diverse needs at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Naperville, IL.
Meet our Clinical Leaders

Cara Newman

M.S., OTR/L, Occupational Therapist, Clinical Director

Cara Newman is an occupational therapist certified through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She earned her Master's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2013 and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

As OT and PT Clinical Director at NSPT, Cara provides services to clients as well as clinical mentorship and support to the OT and PT team scompany wide. Cara’s interest in using her movement knowledge in a therapeutic setting started while supporting a therapeutic dance program based out of the Krannert Center for Performing Arts in Urbana, Illinois. Cara has worked with pediatric populations for her entire career, starting in Early Intervention (0-3) and transitioning to working both in outpatient pediatrics as well as an intensive therapeutic PreK & Kindergarten program prior to starting at NSPT.

Cara has experience working with clients with a variety of diagnoses including Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, CHARGE Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia, Global Developmental Delay, PURA Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Sensory Processing Differences among others. Cara enjoys using developmental movement concepts to help her clients accomplish their goals. When not working, Cara is likely reading or running.

Our Locations

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 and discuss financial expectations based on insurance.
  • 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.