Pediatric Therapy Programs –
The power to do more
Every child is a unique being. As such there is no one word, term or description that adequately defines your child. Likewise, there is no single therapy that can be applied to all children – even those who share a common diagnosis. The same holds true for pediatric therapy. At Amy Zier & Associates, what sets us apart is our individualized pediatric therapy programs and our approach to your child’s treatment. Every child, and parent-child relationship are unique therefore require specific support and is nuanced with the just right match for your child and for you as a parent.
Our programs include traditional pediatric therapies such as individual occupational therapy and group occupational therapy. In addition, we provide specialized groups, activities and intensives designed to focus on key areas of development. Each is not only focused on the individual child, but also on the family as a whole and the other people and activities that impact the child’s life on a daily basis.
As a result, we’re able to provide the experiences and therapies to promote progress here at the clinic. But more importantly, we’re able to introduce ways of integrating these skills, therapies and actions into the routines of daily living – at home, at school, at play and in the community.
Individual Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Just as the name implies, individual pediatric occupational therapy involves an experienced occupational therapist working one-on-one with a child. Depending on the emotional developmental age of the child, parents often take an active role in the session. During these sessions the occupational therapist provides specific environmental, activity and interactive supports to promote developmental integration in the areas of emotional, social, sensory, motor and cognitive development. The therapist works collaboratively with the parents, teachers, babysitters and all people that take an active role in the child's life. We're open Monday through Saturday to schedule. Please contact our intake coordinator, Helen Escobar by phone or email: helen@amyzier.com 773-755-7791 ext 1.
Current Groups
Our groups are ongoing enrollment so even if you're enrolling late we'll be sure to match your child to the right group.
Group Pediatric Occupational Therapy
During group pediatric occupational therapy, a small group of chil
dren work with two or more occupational therapists. In addition to supporting the goals of individual therapy, the group process goes beyond supporting the child’s individual sensory, motor and emotional profile to address moment-to-moment social interactions between children that occur in the child’s daily life. By doing so, we’re able to promote self-regulation, shared engagement, reciprocity and emotional thinking – which are integral for the child’s success in the family, school and larger community. For placement into groups, please contact Amy at amy@amyzier.com if you don't find what you're looking for, please let us know! New groups are often being accommodated.
Please be patient with us; our site is being updated regularly.
Calm and Cooperative (age 3-4)
Mondays 1-2:30 & Thursdays 9:30-11am
For children who may be reactive and need more support with self regulation in a group context. Contact Kathy to schedule: kathy@amyzier.com
Let's Connect (age 5-6)
Saturdays: 12-1:30pm
For children that tend to withdraw or who are very intense and need more support to be assertive and powerful in a more regulated manner. Contact Hillary for scheduling & more information: hillary@amyzier.com
Fun with Handwriting! (6-9 yrs)
Group is based on demand
This group works on the gross motor, fine motor and praxis building blocks for efficient and more automatic handwriting. Contact Michelle to schedule: michelle@amyzier.com
Working together and Playing together (age 7-10)
Saturdays 10:30-12pm
For Children that need more sensory-motor physical play embedded into teamwork and play ideas. Contact Hillary to schedule: hillary@amyzier.com
Teamwork & Relationship Building (age 8-10)
Tuesdays 4:30-6pm
For children that are having difficulty deepening their bonds with other kids and staying regulated when emotions begin to rise. Contact Vanessa to schedule: vanessa@amyzier.com
Let's Get Organized: Executive Functioning Group
Days and times are based on demand
This group is also offered as an intensive. For more information see the description below or contact Hillary at hillary@amyzier.com for more details.
Intensives
Innovative Intensives
Offered in a group setting, these innovative intensives pair children with therapists to focus on particular challenges in a comfortable and fun environment. So, they are not only able to focus on strengthening skills, but also their relationships and ability to engage in a social setting. Intensives are "intense" because they meet several times a week, giving your child an opportunity to see skill building more quickly than in a less intense setting.
Rock Climbing Intensive
*New dates pending
Rock climbing offers the child an opportunity to experience an incredible sense of mastery and competence. Our climbing intensives occur in a group context which provides an opportunity for sharing the range of emotions experienced with this unique intensive. Rock climbing promotes motor planning, bilateral motor development and strengthening. For more information contact Michelle at michelle@amyzier.com
Bike Riding Intensive
*New dates pending
The ability to ride a bicycle is an important milestone for children – enhancing self-confidence, participation in family activities and social relationships with other children. Because of the multi-layer neurological integration that occurs when riding a bicycle, children often excel in other developmental areas once they’ve mastered this skill. Through our four- to seven-day bike riding intensive, we focus on the integration and smooth functioning of several key developmental processing areas – visual-spatial processing, motor planning, motor activation and control. For more information, please contact Kathy at kathy@amyzier.com
Fine Motor Intensives
*This class is based on demand. Please contact Vanessa (see below) to schedule.
Bolster your child’s skill level for fine motor tasks with intensives that focus on improving tactile and proprioceptive awareness, motor planning, dexterity and strength. Intensives are tailored developmentally for your child. In addition, core strengthening and movement breaks are included to ensure optimal regulation and attention. The focus of this particular intensive will be on the building blocks of writing. If you're interested in more information, contact Vanessa vanessa@amyzier.com
Let's Get Organized: Executive Functioning Intensive
*New dates pending
Enhance your child's executive functioning skills with this intensive that focuses on planning, initiation, flexibility, self-monitoring and organization. These are critical skills for helping a child be productive, efficient, independent and have increased self-confidence within the school, home and social settings. Strategies for building and coaching these skills will be incorporated into motivating and age-appropriate activities. This program is ongoing. For more information contact Hillary at hillary@amyzier.com
Therapeutic Listening Intensive
Therapeutic Listening® is a sound-based intervention that utilizes modulated CDs to impact children with a variety of challenges, which may include: sensory processing and modulation difficulties, learning challenges and speech and language delays. For more information visit www.vitallinks.net. Our Therapeutic Listening Program is ongoing. If you're interested in scheduling, please contact Amy at amy@amyzier.com
Yoga
Teaching Yoga to children helps support self-control, body awareness, flexibility and strength. These are the foundations needed for emotional grounding, attention and positive sense of self which then positively impact the child’s daily routines, relationships and availability for learning.
Contact: Amy Zier for more information. Amy completed her level 2 certification with Sonia Sumar in April 2005 (Yoga for the Special Child®)