Occupational Therapist in Miami Gardens, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Strong roots hold steady through a lot of weather, and that is exactly the kind of resilience I see in the families I work with here. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily routines require, drawing on the same strength already present in the household around them.
Hard Rock Stadium anchors the community on game days, families gather at Bunche Park or drive past Calder Casino on the way to school, and the Norland area carries a long, proud history that many families here grew up inside of themselves. Generations often stay close, with churches and community centers acting as extensions of home.
Communities with this much history and pride sometimes carry an unspoken expectation to handle everything quietly and independently. Parents here want a therapist who respects that strength while still making room to ask for help without judgment.

How it works

Simple pink cactus icon on a white background

Step 1

Real growth draws on strength a family already has. We build skills using the same living room, porch, or yard where this family's history already lives.
Gold abstract person icon on white background

Step 2

We begin with a genuine conversation about your child and your family's story, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan that respects what your household has already weathered.
Abstract pale green branching shape on a white background

Step 3

Small wins build steadily, a Sunday gathering that goes smoothly, a bedtime routine that finally holds. Parent coaching keeps that strength growing between visits.
Families often reach out once they notice a child struggling with routines that the rest of the household seems to manage without much thought. As an occupational therapist working across Miami Gardens, 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 Sunday family gathering stop feeling unpredictable and start feeling like something everyone enjoys. Sessions often happen in the same living room or yard where the family already gathers.
Keeping up during a backyard game or managing buttons before church asks more of a developing body than it might seem. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the first concern families bring to me here. The relief shows up in small, visible wins, a child running confidently with cousins or finally dressing themselves before service. We build strength and coordination using games already familiar to the family, backyard play, sidewalk games, church parking lot practice.
Big family gatherings, game day crowds, and busy church services bring a lot of noise and movement at once, more than some children can filter. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the meltdown during a crowded event, a child begins finding their own way to settle instead of needing to leave the room entirely. We build calming tools the whole family can lean on, a quiet corner during gatherings, a ritual everyone already understands.
An unspoken expectation to handle things quietly can make it harder for a child's big feelings to find room to exist. This work is for the child who cannot yet name what they feel before it turns into a meltdown. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through an entire gathering starts resolving in minutes. We build a shared feelings vocabulary the whole family can use without shame attached to it.
Many parents here carry generations of strength and still deserve a place to ask for real support. This is for the caregiver who wants tools without judgment attached. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their own approach even amid strong family opinions. We talk through your real household, church schedules, extended family involvement, sibling dynamics, and build a plan everyone can respect.
A community built on deep roots takes naturally to mindfulness with plants as a way of honoring what already grows strong here. What shifts is presence, a child who struggles to sit still during a long family gathering finds calm tending something small and green nearby. Sessions might include a planting ritual shared across generations, honoring the same resilience already present in the family.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Miami Gardens and into neighboring Opa locka and Miami Lakes. Sessions often happen in the family living room or yard, wherever the family already gathers. Below is a map of the area I serve.

Testimonials

Five black stars in a row at the top left on a white background

“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 deeply respects the strength already rooted in this community. I bring support directly into Miami Gardens' homes, honoring the history and resilience already there. 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.