Physical Therapy

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.

6 months old

Can’t elevate head or trunk during tummy time
Can’t roll from back to stomach, or stomach to back
Can’t sit independently for at least 60 seconds

12 months old

Can’t crawl on hands and knees
Can’t pull up into and maintain standing independently at a stable surface, such as a coffee table or couch
Can’t move from their belly or back into a sitting position independently

18 months old

Can’t stand or walk independently
Can’t crawl up and down stairs

2 years old

Can’t walk up or down stairs with support
Can’t run
Can’t throw a ball

3-5 years old

Can’t jump
Can’t hop on one foot
Can’t jump on 2 feet forward or up and down from an object
Can’t throw a ball 10 feet forward with opposite leg and arm movement
Can’t catch a ball using only hands
Can’t walk up and down stairs without support
Can’t pedal a tricycle
Can’t balance on one foot

We can help with...

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

We're trained in...

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

Request an Appointment

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.

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.

Your first name*

Your last name*

Your child's name*

Your child's date of birth?*

Your email address*

Your phone number*

What is your zip code?*

What services are you interested in?

Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) or developmental delay from a physician?*

Who is the diagnosing physician?

Who is your primary insurance provider?*

How did you hear about us?*

Any details/comments you think we should know?

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

We'll contact you within one business day, but usually within a few hours. Please keep an eye out for a phone number with a 224 or 847 area code, as that will be one of our friendly client experience specialists calling you.

Our commitment to you and your child:

‍For our clients, treatment hours are determined on an individualized basis, without predefined blocks.
Our BCBAs weigh the priorities of the family, the availability of the child given other therapeutic services they may be receiving, and the level of support needed to facilitate the best outcomes.
All of our treatment plans have terminal goals that are reported every 6 months and discussed every 3 months directly with the family, to ensure we are always moving towards fading the level of support needed and increasing daily independence.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Pediatric Physical Therapy in the Chicago Area

Insurance accepted

Should my child receive a physical therapy evaluation?

6 months old

12 months old

18 months old

2 years old

3-5 years old

We can help with...

We're trained in...

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

INDIVIDUAL, 1:1 THERAPY ROOMS

GYMS & PLAY SPACES

SENSORY ROOMS

BLOSSOM PREP SCHOOL & CLASSROOM STYLE LEARNING

ACTIVITY STATIONS

TEEN & YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM ROOMS

Cara Newman

Our Locations

Arlington Heights

Bucktown

Deerfield

Des Plaines

Elmhurst

Evanston

Glenview

Lake Bluff

Lincolnwood

Naperville

Vernon Hills

Neuropsychology Center

Testimonials

Contact us to get started

Submit an inquiry form

We'll reach out to you!

Paperwork & insurance

Treatment personalization

Start making progress!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Our Therapy Services

About

Locations