Occupational Therapist in Kendall, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Space changes what childhood feels like, and the families I meet here often have more of it than most, more yard, more room to run, more distance between one errand and the next. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily routines quietly demand, using all that room to our advantage.
Dadeland Mall anchors one end of the sprawl, Baptist Hospital sits along a busy corridor of pediatricians and specialists, and The Falls draws families on weekends before a drive out toward Zoo Miami. Suburban blocks stretch for miles here, with cul de sacs and backyard pools replacing the density found closer to downtown.
All that space can be a gift and a challenge at once, long car rides between activities, sprawling schools where a sensitive child can feel lost in the crowd, and a pace of life that assumes everyone can keep up with the schedule. Parents here want a therapist willing to come to them, given how much of the day already disappears into driving.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should use the space a family already has, a backyard, a driveway, a pool deck, not ask them to drive somewhere new. We build skills using whatever room your home offers.
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Step 2

We begin with an honest conversation about your child and your household's actual schedule, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan built around your real routine.
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Step 3

Momentum builds with each visit, a backyard game that used to end in tears now ends in laughter. Parent coaching keeps that progress alive between long school and activity days.
Families often reach out once they notice a child struggling with routines that classmates seem to manage easily at school. As an occupational therapist working across Kendall, 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 a backyard afternoon stop feeling risky and start feeling like genuine fun. Sessions often happen right in the yard or pool deck, using the space your family already has.
A big backyard and a pool ask a lot of a child's coordination and confidence, more than a smaller space ever would. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the first thing families in Kendall bring to me. The relief shows up in small wins, a child swimming a lap unassisted or finally riding a bike the length of the cul de sac. We build strength and coordination using the yard itself, pool games, bike practice, backyard obstacle courses.
Sprawling schools, long car rides, and a packed activity schedule can overwhelm a sensitive child in ways that are easy to miss. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the meltdown after a long day of driving between activities, a child starts finding their own way to settle. We build regulation tools that fit a spread out life, a calming corner in the car, a quiet ritual once you finally get home.
A packed schedule of school, sports, and long drives can leave very little room for a child's big feelings to be heard. This work is for the child who cannot yet name what they feel before it becomes a meltdown in the back seat. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted the whole car ride home starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and coping tools that hold up even in a packed, busy week.
Many parents here spend more time driving than they would like and still show up trying their best every single day. This is for the caregiver who wants tools that fit a spread out, activity heavy life. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their instincts instead of squeezing in one more strategy between carpools. We talk through your real week, long commutes, activity schedules, sibling rivalry, and build a plan that fits your family's actual pace.
A big backyard offers plenty of room for mindfulness with plants to become a real, lasting family ritual. What shifts is presence, a child who struggles to sit still after a long day settles easily while tending a garden bed at home. Sessions might include a backyard planting ritual that becomes a weekly anchor amid an otherwise packed schedule.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Kendall and into neighboring Pinecrest and South Miami. Sessions often happen in the backyard or living room, wherever your family has the most room to work. 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 how much room Kendall families have to grow into. I bring therapy directly into your backyard or living room, saving you the long drive. 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.