1. What is pediatric therapy?

Pediatric therapy focuses on helping children achieve their developmental, physical, and emotional milestones. Our therapy services are designed to improve skills in areas such as motor skills, speech skills, language development, behavior, sensory processing, and social interactions.
 

2. What types of therapy do you offer?

We provide a range of therapy services tailored to meet each child’s unique needs, including:

• Occupational Therapy (OT): Focuses on developing everyday skills, such as dressing, eating, and playing.

• Speech and Language Therapy (SLP): Assists with communication, speech, and language development.

• Sensory Integration Therapy: Helps children process and respond to sensory input in a supportive way.

• Feeding Therapy: Helps children develop healthy eating habits and overcome challenges with eating, swallowing, and mealtime behaviors.
   

3. How do I know if my child needs therapy?

If you observe your child having trouble reaching developmental milestones such as speech, motor skills, behavior, or social interactions, therapy could be helpful. Therapeutic intervention is crucial for addressing concerns and supporting your child’s progress. We suggest consulting with your pediatrician to help assess whether therapy is necessary. Additionally, we trust that you are the best judge of your child’s needs—if you feel your child could benefit from some extra support, don’t hesitate to schedule an evaluation.

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4. What should I expect during the first session?

During your child’s first session, our therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to assess their strengths, preferences, and areas of need. We’ll discuss your concerns and any goals you have for your child. Based on the evaluation, the therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan.

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5. How long will my child need therapy?

The length of therapy varies depending on your child’s individual needs, progress, and the type of therapy they’re receiving. Some children may only need a few months, while others may benefit from long-term therapy. You will receive a progress report at 6 months to review with your child’s therapist. Additionally, your child will be re-evaluated annually. We’ll work closely with you to set realistic goals and track progress.

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6. Is therapy covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans cover pediatric therapy services. We are contracted with BCBS IL PPO and Aetna. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to confirm coverage for the specific therapies your child may need. Our team can assist with verifying insurance and handling paperwork if necessary. We also accept out of network benefits and offer competitive private pay rates if your child does not have in-network coverage with Darling Pediatric Therapy.

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7. Do you provide in home services?

We do not provide services in the home at this time.

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8. What age groups do you work with?

We work with individuals from birth through age 21. Our therapies are tailored to suit the developmental needs of individuals at each stage, whether they are infants, toddlers, teenagers, or young adults.

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9. How can I get started?

To get started, simply reach out to us via our contact page, email us at hello@darlingpediatrictherapy.com,  or give us a call at 331-207-4350 to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

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10. Do I need a referral to begin therapy?

A referral is not always required to begin therapy, though it may be needed depending on your insurance or specific treatment needs. If you're unsure, don’t hesitate to contact us for guidance.

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11. What can I do to support my child’s therapy at home?

We believe that consistency is key! Our therapists will provide recommendations and exercises that you can do at home to support your child’s progress. By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you’ll help your child build skills and reinforce the work done during therapy.

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12. How do I know if therapy is working for my child?

We track your child’s progress through regular assessments and open communication with you. You’ll notice changes in their behavior, skill development, and overall confidence as they improve. We’ll keep you informed and make any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan as needed.

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13. Do you have a waitlist?

We currently have availability for daytime therapy sessions. For after-school times, we have a modified waitlist. If we are unable to schedule your child after two months, we will contact you and refer you to other trusted clinics. Our priority is to ensure your child begins therapy as soon as possible, rather than having them wait for a long period.

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14. Does your practice complete Individual Education Evaluations (IEE)?

Yes, we are frequently asked to conduct an independent speech-language evaluation, which is a two-day testing process. This includes a thorough assessment of areas such as speech, expressive and receptive language, executive functioning skills, word retrieval, thought formulation and processing, social pragmatics, and written skills, depending on the concerns. If you'd like to learn more about this process, please feel free to contact us.

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15. Do you offer intensive therapy blocks?

We offer intensive therapy blocks during Spring Break and Summer.  

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16. What are intensive therapy blocks?

Intensive therapy blocks are designed to help your child make rapid progress in a short period of time by receiving daily therapy in either speech, feeding, or occupational therapy for 2-3 weeks. Therapists will target 2-3 goals in order to provide:

• Accelerated progress through focused, intensive sessions

• Fun, engaging activities that promote growth

• Flexible scheduling to work around your spring break or summer plans
   

Intensive packages are available upon request and subject to availability. To inquire, please contact us.

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