Occupational Therapist in Boca Raton, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Even the most carefully curated landscaping cannot manicure away a child's genuine struggles, and that is exactly where my work begins with the families here. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily routines quietly demand, no matter how polished the surrounding neighborhood looks.
Mizner Park's shops and green space anchor downtown, Florida Atlantic University sits just west of the older neighborhoods, and families often spend weekends near Royal Palm Polo or the well kept parks that define this stretch of Palm Beach County. Everything here tends to look deliberate, from the landscaping to the school pickup line.
Growing up somewhere built around achievement and polish can quietly raise the stakes for a child who is already working harder than peers to keep pace. Parents here often feel pressure to project that same polish, when really they are searching for a therapist who sees past the surface to what their child genuinely needs.

How it works

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Step 1

Real growth rarely looks as tidy as the landscaping around it, and that is exactly the point. We use the yard, the patio, or the living room already part of your home to build skills that genuinely transfer.
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Step 2

We begin with an honest conversation about your child, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan built around your family's actual pace, not an idealized one.
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Step 3

Small wins compound quickly, a morning routine that used to end in tears starts moving smoothly. Parent coaching keeps that progress steady long after each visit ends.
Families often reach out once they notice that getting ready for school or winding down at night takes far more effort than it should. As an occupational therapist working across Boca Raton, I support children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the fine and gross motor skills their day requires. Parents describe the shift as relief, mornings stop feeling like a performance and start feeling manageable again. Sessions often unfold on a patio or in a living room, built around what your child genuinely needs that day.
Manicured lawns and formal patios ask more of a developing body than they appear to, especially for a child working on balance and coordination. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the starting point for families noticing a child hesitate or struggle with fasteners. The relief shows up in small, visible wins, a child climbing confidently at the park or finally managing buttons before school. We build coordination through play already present at home, patio games, backyard obstacle courses, sidewalk chalk practice.
Formal homes and structured routines can be surprisingly hard on a sensitive nervous system, even in a neighborhood built for comfort. This shows up often among the families I work with here. What shifts first is usually the meltdown tied to formal events or gatherings, kids start finding calm without needing to escape the room. We build regulation tools that fit a polished home, a quiet patio corner, a favorite calming texture kept close by.
Living somewhere built around high standards can leave little room for a child's big feelings to simply exist. This work is for the child who shuts down or lashes out before they can name what they feel. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through dinner resolves in minutes instead. We build emotional vocabulary and coping tools that hold up under real pressure, not just in a calm therapy room.
Many parents here are already doing what looks like everything right and still feel like something is missing. This is for the caregiver who wants honesty over appearances. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting instinct over image, and home starting to feel less like a performance. We talk through your real week, school pressure, extracurricular schedules, sibling comparison, and build tools that actually fit.
Even the most manicured landscaping can become a doorway into something slower and more grounded when a family is ready for it. What shifts is presence, a child who feels pressure to perform finds ease in simply tending to something living. Sessions might include a patio planting ritual or a quiet gardening practice built around your family's own outdoor space.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Boca Raton and into neighboring Delray Beach and Deerfield Beach. Sessions often happen on a patio or in a living room, wherever your home naturally invites your child to be themselves. Below is a map of the area I serve.

Testimonials

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“The Cafetera planting workshop was such a meaningful experience. It felt intimate, grounding, and deeply connected to culture and intention. Creating something with my hands while slowing down and being present made the experience feel special and memorable.”

Christina S. | Cafetera Planting Workshop

“I’ve created three vision planters, and I’ll continue coming back. Even though I know the process, it’s the experience of the class that keeps drawing me in. The energy and intention of each workshop meet me exactly where I am.”

Cassandra M. | Vision Planter (Repeat Client)

“Having a manifesting planting bar at my 50th birthday celebration was one of the most special parts of the day. It gave my guests a moment to pause, reflect, and create something meaningful together. The energy it brought into the celebration was beautiful and unforgettable.”

Maria S. | 50th Birthday Manifesting Planting Bar

“Our team-building planting experience was refreshing and genuinely impactful. It created space for connection, collaboration, and creativity in a way that felt natural and meaningful. The experience brought our team together and left a lasting impression.”

Jenny T. | Corporate Team-Building Workshop

Erika Valdés – A pediatric occupational therapist

I'm a pediatric occupational therapist, former elementary school teacher, and plant ritual facilitator who believes a child's growth should never be measured against a curated backdrop. I bring therapy into Boca Raton's patios and living rooms, meeting each child exactly as they are. I help people bloom where they are planted.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you accept insurance?

    Play2Learn  currently operates as an out-of-network provider. Superbills can be provided upon request for possible reimbursement from your insurance plan. Payment is due at the time of service.

  • What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

    Cancellations + Rescheduling:

    Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged the full session fee. Exceptions may be made for illness or emergencies communicated promptly.

  • How often should my child have sessions?

    Every child is different, but most families see the best results with 1–3 sessions per week for at least 10 weeks.

  • Payment plans

    Flexible payment plans are available for therapy packages. Please inquire during your consultation.

  • Confidentiality + privacy

    All client information is kept confidential in accordance with HIPAA regulations. Your privacy is always protected.