Stepping Stones Children's Therapy

About Stepping Stones Children's Therapy

Stepping Stones Early Intervention is a pediatric therapy practice in Illinois with clinic locations in Oak Forest, Palos Heights, Homer Glen (Founders Cir), and Tinley Park. The practice describes a compassionate, individualized, evidence-based approach designed to help children build skills and confidence at their own pace. Services are provided in the clinic setting for children from newborn and up, and the practice also offers an Early Intervention Program for children ages 0 to 3 delivered in the home through the Illinois Early Intervention Program. Getting started typically begins with a conversation about a family’s concerns, followed by a personalized plan that is reviewed over time as progress is monitored.

Occupational therapy services are centered on everyday function, supporting coordination, motor development, and self-care routines such as dressing and feeding. Stepping Stones also offers speech and feeding therapy, including SOS Feeding Therapy for picky eating and sensory-based food aversions. Developmental approaches listed on the website include DIR Floortime and The PLAY Project, along with sensory processing and reflex integration to help children respond to sensory input and address reflex patterns that may interfere with participation. For children recovering from injuries or living with congenital conditions, pediatric orthopedic and neurologic rehabilitation focuses on strength, mobility, and coordination. Additional supports include onsite custom splinting for hand and arm needs, handwriting support using the Handwriting Without Tears program, and therapeutic listening and children’s yoga to build focus, body awareness, and self-regulation. The clinic also provides support for emotional and behavioral challenges, including Zones of Regulation, and offers school consultations and teletherapy to help meet needs across settings. The About page highlights Shilpa Shanker Sharma, a clinician with more than 20 years of experience, whose stated areas of expertise include sensory integration, reflex integration, DIR Floortime, and SOS feeding therapy, and who emphasizes a relationship-based approach tailored to each child.

Conditions Treated, Specialties & Treatment Types