Grace S.
OTD, OTR/L · Occupational Therapist, Clinic Director
“Growing up around neurodiverse learners, I saw how much patience and belief can change a child’s life, and that’s who I strive to be for your child.”
📍 Bucktown
Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Chicagoland
Helping Children Build Independence, Strength, and Confidence
Occupational therapy that builds your child’s everyday skills, from playing and learning to dressing, writing, and doing more on their own. Licensed pediatric OTs. 8 Chicagoland locations. Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO in-network.
✓ BCBS & Aetna (2026) In-Network
✓ Licensed Occupational Therapists
✓ Ages 18 Months to 14 Years
✓ 8 Chicagoland Locations
✓ Licensed pediatric occupational therapists
✓ Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO in-network, Aetna coming 2026
✓ Intake within 2 weeks. No waitlists
✓ Speech, OT, ABA, and feeding therapy under one roof
Signs Occupational Therapy May Be Right for Your Child
If your child struggles with coordination, daily routines, focus, or handling frustration, occupational therapy may provide the support they need. The earlier you act, the sooner your child can gain confidence and independence.
Trouble with fine motor skills
Hard time holding a crayon, using scissors, or buttoning clothes. OT builds the hand strength and coordination behind these tasks.
Difficulty tolerating sensory experiences
Overwhelmed by noise, clothing tags, or busy rooms, or constantly seeking input. OT helps your child feel calm, comfortable, and focused.
Difficulty with self-care tasks
Struggles with dressing, brushing teeth, or toileting. OT breaks these routines into simple steps your child can do on their own.
Trouble focusing or following directions
Hard to stay on task, switch activities, or follow multi-step instructions. OT improves attention, focus, and follow-through.
Frequent meltdowns or trouble coping
Quick to melt down, or easily thrown off by changes in routine. OT helps your child cope with big emotions.
Avoids coloring, writing, or tabletop play
Backs away from seated tasks, often from frustration or weak coordination. OT builds these skills in ways that feel fun.
Clumsy or poorly coordinated
Frequent tripping, bumping into things, or trouble with climbing and ball play. OT develops coordination, balance, and motor planning.
Trouble playing with other kids
Hard to use toys, take turns, or join in with peers. OT prepares your child to play, share, and connect with others.
Request a Consultation 
Not sure where to start? A quick conversation with our team helps you understand whether your child may benefit from occupational therapy.
Not sure where to start? A quick conversation with our team helps you understand whether your child may benefit from occupational therapy.
Meet the Occupational Therapists Who’ll Lead Your Child’s Care
Every OT session at CST Academy is designed and delivered by a licensed occupational therapist. Here’s the team your family will work with.
Chantal B.
MS, OTR/L · Occupational Therapist
“Anything that matters to your child or your family matters to me, and I love helping them grow the skills to thrive in daily life.”
📍 Buffalo Grove
Kendra M.
MOT, OTR/L · Regional Lead Occupational Therapist
“Beyond helping your child reach their goals, I’m here to advocate for them and support your whole family so they can thrive everywhere they go.”
📍 Lincoln Park
Nikki C.
OTR/L · Occupational Therapist, Clinic Director
“I strive to support what matters most to your family and to help your child participate more confidently and meaningfully in their daily life!”
📍 Gurnee
The basics
What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy helps children develop the physical, sensory, and emotional skills they need for everyday activities like dressing, handwriting, play, and staying calm.
At CST Academy, no two OT plans look alike. We use evidence-based methods, engaging play, and real-life practice to help children gain independence and confidence.
The CST Academy way
How Occupational Therapy Works at CST Academy
1
Evaluation
A licensed OT meets your family, observes your child, and identifies the specific skills to focus on first.
2
Personalized plan
Your OT builds a play-based program around your child’s strengths and goals. Sessions integrate with speech, ABA, or feeding therapy as needed.
3
Progress reviews
You get regular family updates, take-home strategies, and clear measures of progress so you always know where your child stands.
The Power of Occupational Therapy + Integrated Support
Occupational therapy works best as part of a coordinated team. Our clinicians work side-by-side, aligning goals and adapting strategies across therapies. Here’s how each service strengthens OT.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
ABA teaches daily routines and functional behaviors, while OT develops the fine motor, sensory, and self-regulation skills behind them.
Learn more
Speech Therapy
OT keeps your child engaged and focused, while speech therapy builds the language to communicate needs.
Learn more
Feeding Therapy
OT builds the sensory tolerance and self-feeding skills for mealtimes, while feeding therapists work on chewing, swallowing, and trying new foods.
Learn more
Physical Therapy
OT focuses on fine motor and daily living skills, while PT builds the strength, balance, and coordination for play.
Learn more
Autism Evaluations
Many children begin at CST Academy with a diagnostic evaluation. If OT is the right next step, your child stays with the same team and starts right away.
Learn more
Therapeutic Preschool
Our Therapeutic Preschool brings OT into class time, so kids practice staying calm, fine motor tasks, and transitions in a supportive classroom.
Learn moreWhat Parents Are Saying About Occupational Therapy at CST Academy
Real outcomes from families across Chicagoland.
“I can say with certainty that she has been a key player in my son’s development and on his therapeutic team. She’s taught him everything from self regulation to fine motor tasks to self care skills over the years. Not only that, she is prompt, professional, reflective and extremely communicative — always providing feedback and willing to brainstorm solutions to anything I bring to her.”
Dina S., parent
✓Does more on his own now✓Confidence grew tremendously
“CST has been a great place for our little one! We have been blessed to have worked with some exceptional therapists here. Our son made some wonderful progress during his time with our OT. Some independent skills he gained were dressing, drinking from an open cup, gaining better hand strength and perfecting yoga exercises.”
Zeeshan A., parent
✓Learning new skills✓Real life activities
“We first started working with COT a few years ago to help our daughter improve in several areas, including social cues, gross and fine motor, and attentiveness. Suffice to say, we’ve seen substantial improvement in all areas, which has made a big difference in our daughter’s academic and social life. Taylor was easy to work with, and worked hard to personalize the experience.”
Ryan A., parent
✓Calmer and more focused✓More independent daily
Get started
Your Child’s Next Breakthrough Starts Here
Two easy ways to get started, whichever fits your family today.
Free M-CHAT Screening
Want to understand what may be behind your child’s challenges? The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is a free, research-backed screening that takes 5 minutes. It won’t give you a diagnosis, but it will tell you whether your child should see a specialist next.
Take the Free M-CHAT Screening
590 parents took this screening in the last 90 days.
Request a Consultation
Talk with our client success team. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you figure out what’s right for your child and your family.
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Our client success team will call you within 24 hours to answer your questions and discuss next steps.
Questions parents ask
Frequently Asked Questions About Occupational Therapy
What is pediatric occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy helps children build the physical, sensory, and emotional skills they need for daily activities like dressing, writing, playing, and managing emotions. At CST Academy, sessions are play-based and focused on real-life progress.
How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?
If your child has trouble with sensory regulation, handwriting, self-care routines, focus, or managing emotions, occupational therapy may help. Our licensed occupational therapists offer evaluations to find the best next steps for your child.
What age range do you support in your occupational therapy programs?
CST Academy provides occupational therapy for children from 18 months through 14 years. Early support often makes the biggest difference, but we help children build skills at every stage.
What does a typical occupational therapy session look like?
Sessions are play-based and built around your child’s goals. Your occupational therapist uses hands-on, motivating activities to build skills, then shares strategies to practice at home.
Can my child receive occupational therapy alongside other therapies?
Coordinated care is the core of how CST Academy works. Occupational, speech, ABA, physical, and feeding therapy all happen under one roof, and your clinicians meet weekly so the therapies reinforce one another.
Do you accept insurance for occupational therapy?
We’re in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, and Aetna coverage is launching in 2026. For out-of-network families, our billing team will help you verify coverage and explore payment options.
Deeper focus
How We Tailor Occupational Therapy to Your Child
Some kids need help holding a pencil. Others with staying calm in a busy room. Others with getting dressed on their own. We build each plan around the focus areas your child needs most.
Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills
Visual Motor Skills
Sensory Processing
Self-Care & Daily Living Skills
Visual Perceptual Skills
Handwriting Support
Play Skills
Executive Function Skills
Watch Your Child Do More on Their Own
Start the conversation with CST Academy today. Expert therapists, one connected team, and a plan made for your child.
(773) 572-7336