Manny OT & Associates is a private pediatric therapy clinic offering occupational therapy, speech therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and DIR/Floortime® therapy services to individual's birth through 22+ in the greater Chicagoland and surrounding areas.
Our mission is to provide families with high-quality, individually tailored therapy sessions using a developmental approach which focuses on fun, building relationships, and supporting the growth of the whole individual and the well-being of the family.
We provide therapeutic services for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental challenges, gross and fine motor challenges, sensory processing difficulties, speech and language challenges, executive functioning difficulties, and social and emotional challenges, in a caring, safe, fun, empowering, and confidence-building environment.
Our mission is to provide families with high-quality, individually tailored therapy sessions using a developmental approach which focuses on fun, building relationships, and supporting the growth of the whole individual and the well-being of the family.
We provide therapeutic services for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental challenges, gross and fine motor challenges, sensory processing difficulties, speech and language challenges, executive functioning difficulties, and social and emotional challenges, in a caring, safe, fun, empowering, and confidence-building environment.
Pediatric Therapy Services
Occupational Therapy
The goal of occupational therapy is to improve an individual's ability to engage in necessary activities of daily living, interact with the people and the world around them, and learn skills to achieve greater independence.
Areas addressed include self-care, dressing, playing, eating, sleeping, writing and drawing, technology, bike-riding, body movement activities and heavy work for regulation, and sensory integration and processing (difficulties with sound, visual, tactile, olfactory, taste, vestibular and proprioceptive senses).
The goal of occupational therapy is to improve an individual's ability to engage in necessary activities of daily living, interact with the people and the world around them, and learn skills to achieve greater independence.
Areas addressed include self-care, dressing, playing, eating, sleeping, writing and drawing, technology, bike-riding, body movement activities and heavy work for regulation, and sensory integration and processing (difficulties with sound, visual, tactile, olfactory, taste, vestibular and proprioceptive senses).
Speech Therapy
The goal of speech therapy is to improve an individual's ability to interact and connect with other people, clearly and reliably communicate ideas and needs, and understand other people, using both verbal and nonverbal means, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Examples of skills addressed may include production of speech sounds, phonological awareness, literacy, body language and gestures, social communication, play skills, making friends, self-advocacy, cognitive communication, problem-solving, executive functioning, help with "picky eating" (food aversions), autism support, use of alternative or supplementary aids such as picture or iPad symbols.
The goal of speech therapy is to improve an individual's ability to interact and connect with other people, clearly and reliably communicate ideas and needs, and understand other people, using both verbal and nonverbal means, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Examples of skills addressed may include production of speech sounds, phonological awareness, literacy, body language and gestures, social communication, play skills, making friends, self-advocacy, cognitive communication, problem-solving, executive functioning, help with "picky eating" (food aversions), autism support, use of alternative or supplementary aids such as picture or iPad symbols.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
The goal of animal-assisted therapy is to facilitate an individual's ability to improve physical, social, and emotional well-being by carefully and safely incorporating specially trained therapy animals into therapy sessions to increase motivation and reduce anxiety.
The goal of animal-assisted therapy is to facilitate an individual's ability to improve physical, social, and emotional well-being by carefully and safely incorporating specially trained therapy animals into therapy sessions to increase motivation and reduce anxiety.
DIR/Floortime Therapy
The goal of DIR/Floortime® therapy is to improve an individual's ability to increase sensory regulation, communication, social interaction, and emotional and cognitive growth.
DIR/Floortime uses emotional expression, therapeutic relationship, child-led play, and sessions tailored to individual interests in order to promote social engagement, language and communication skills, building connections and friendships, teach collaborative problem-solving and flexible thinking to achieve critical developmental milestones.
It is especially beneficial for individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges, including autism, who may struggle with these areas.
The goal of DIR/Floortime® therapy is to improve an individual's ability to increase sensory regulation, communication, social interaction, and emotional and cognitive growth.
DIR/Floortime uses emotional expression, therapeutic relationship, child-led play, and sessions tailored to individual interests in order to promote social engagement, language and communication skills, building connections and friendships, teach collaborative problem-solving and flexible thinking to achieve critical developmental milestones.
It is especially beneficial for individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges, including autism, who may struggle with these areas.
WELCOME
Our Family of Therapists
Manny Herrera, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Manny is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specializing in pediatric therapy with over 25 years of experience in schools, camps, client homes, and private practice. He focuses on developing tailored strategies to help children achieve their milestones, improve and acquire everyday skills while building confidence. His compassionate approach and expertise ensure a supportive environment for every child. He is licensed in Illinois and Florida, is fluent in English and Spanish, and is available for clinic, home, and school visits. Manny founded Manny OT & Associates at his current location in 2006.
Karin Kepski, SLP/L
Speech and Language Pathologist
Karin is a licensed Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist with over 30 years of expertise. She specializes in improving children's communication skills, including speech clarity, language development, and social interaction, promoting greater confidence and effective expression from her clients. Karin is extremely creative in her therapy delivery approach and uses everyday communication scenarios and playful interactions to make a useful and practical impact on her clients' communication skills. Karin also puts her speech language pathology skills to use through hippotherapy.
Karin is a licensed Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist with over 30 years of expertise. She specializes in improving children's communication skills, including speech clarity, language development, and social interaction, promoting greater confidence and effective expression from her clients. Karin is extremely creative in her therapy delivery approach and uses everyday communication scenarios and playful interactions to make a useful and practical impact on her clients' communication skills. Karin also puts her speech language pathology skills to use through hippotherapy.
Becky Frenk, SLP/L, DIR-C
Speech and Language Pathologist
Becky is a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist and certified DIR/Floortime® provider with experience in private practice, school, day camp, and aquatic therapy settings. Becky is passionate about providing therapy that is fun, playful, child-and-family-centered, respectful of individual differences, and neuroaffirming. She uses a gentle approach and pulls from her experience as an art teacher to provide sessions that are creative and support unique ways of learning, tailored to the individual child's sensory needs, developmental levels, and interest, while embracing the whole child. Her specialty areas include DIR/Floortime, literacy, play skills, supporting autistic individuals, supporting non-speaking/minimally-speaking individuals, Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC), situational (selective) mutism, and trauma-informed care.
David Small, OTR/L, AAT
Occupational Therapist/AAT
David is a skilled Pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of experience in school settings. David is also a certified Animal Assisted Therapist and brings an additional therapy skill set to his pediatric clients through the use of dogs as therapy. He delivers customized therapy that supports children’s developmental progress, social and emotional maturation, and sensory integration, enhancing their ability to succeed in daily activities. David is the proud owner of TheraPets.Org. and Gibson's Funk Wear.
Kids Therapy
Challenging Individual Growth
Kelly W.School Founder |
Manny is the kid whisperer. He is that little voice on your shoulder telling you that you can do it, and how. |
Denise O.Parent |
My kid looks forward to seeing Manny."Manny Yes" |
Testimonials
Jackie G.Parent |
My son is so shy, I was amazed how quickly he opened up to Becky! I feel like she really understands his needs and cares about our whole family. |
RCSpecial Education Teacher |
The kids are so much more cooperative and social during the dog sessions! |
Linda G.Parent |
Karin is fun and creative. She understands what makes kids tick. Sessions with her feel like having fun conversations. |
Angie H.Clinic Owner/Collegue |
Manny can engage with kids anywhere with anything, "a rope and room and he is good to go"! |
Contact Information
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