Occupational Therapist in Fort Lauderdale, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
A city built around water tends to move a little differently, boats instead of just cars, bridges instead of just streets. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily routines quietly demand, in a city with its own particular rhythm of canals and causeways.
Las Olas Boulevard runs from the shops downtown out toward the beach, the New River winds beneath the Riverwalk where families stroll most evenings, and Nova Southeastern University anchors a whole corridor of schools and clinics to the west. Wilton Manors sits just north, and kids here grow up as comfortable near water as they are on a playground.
Being known as the Venice of America means a lot of a family's daily life happens near water, bridges that open unpredictably, boat traffic, humidity that never quite lifts. Parents here want a therapist who understands that a canal city asks something different of a growing child and meets that reality directly.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should flow the way the New River does, steady and unforced. We use the dock, the yard, or the living room already part of your family's world to build skills that genuinely last.
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Step 2

We begin with a genuine conversation about your child and your family's actual routine, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan built around your specific stretch of the city.
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Step 3

Momentum builds steadily, an evening walk along the Riverwalk without a meltdown, a bedtime that finally settles into place. Parent coaching keeps that progress alive between visits.
Families often reach out once they notice a child struggling with everyday routines that bridge openings and boat schedules seem to constantly interrupt. As an occupational therapist working across Fort Lauderdale, 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, watching an evening walk along the water stop feeling unpredictable and start feeling like something to look forward to. Sessions often happen right at home, along the dock, or in the yard, wherever your family's rhythm naturally unfolds.
Balancing on a dock, paddling near the New River, or navigating uneven bridge sidewalks asks more of a child's coordination than a landlocked suburb would. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the first concern families bring to me here. The relief shows up in small wins, a child balancing confidently on the dock or finally riding a bike across the neighborhood bridge. We build strength and coordination using the waterways themselves, dock balance games, paddle practice, bridge sidewalk courses.
Boat horns, humid air, and the constant motion of water bring a distinct sensory world that some children find soothing and others find overwhelming. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the meltdown tied to an unexpected bridge opening or delay, a child begins finding calm even amid the wait. We lean on the water itself, dock play, paddle boarding, quiet riverside walks, to help a child's nervous system settle.
A city that moves at the pace of bridges and boat traffic can test a child's patience in ways a straightforward commute never would. This work is for the child who cannot yet name what they feel before it becomes a meltdown. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through an entire delayed commute starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and coping tools that hold up even during an unpredictable bridge wait.
Many parents here navigate a genuinely unpredictable commute and still show up trying their best every day. This is for the caregiver who wants tools that fit a life shaped by water and bridges. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their instincts instead of letting an unpredictable schedule dictate their parenting. We talk through your real week, bridge delays, boat schedules, sibling dynamics, and build a plan that fits your family's actual rhythm.
A city already defined by water takes naturally to mindfulness with plants as a grounding counterweight to all that motion. What shifts is presence, a child who cannot sit still after a busy day near the water settles easily while tending something small and green at home. Sessions might include a dockside or patio planting ritual, a quiet practice that anchors the family amid the city's constant motion.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Fort Lauderdale and into neighboring Wilton Manors and Oakland Park. Sessions often happen at home, along the dock, or in the yard, wherever your family's rhythm naturally unfolds. 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 loves working in a city defined by water. I bring therapy into Fort Lauderdale's homes, docks, and riverside yards, wherever your family already gathers. 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.