Occupational Therapist in Pompano Beach, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Low tide has its own unhurried pace, and that same laid back rhythm shapes how I approach the children and families I work with along this stretch of coast. My practice supports kids who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily life quietly asks of them, without rushing past what actually helps.
The Pompano Beach Pier stretches out past quiet stretches of sand, boats gather near the Hillsboro Inlet, and small planes lift off from Pompano Airpark just inland. Families here often trade the busier pace of Fort Lauderdale to the south for something slower, with fewer crowds and more room to breathe along the shoreline.
A slower beach town pace can sometimes make specialized therapy resources harder to find close to home, with many families driving south for services that a smaller community simply does not offer yet. Parents here want a therapist willing to come to them instead of adding one more drive to an already full week.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should move at the same unhurried pace as low tide. We use the beach, 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 real conversation about your child and your family's actual routine, never a clinical form. That shapes a plan built around your specific corner of the coast.
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Step 3

Momentum builds steadily, a walk along the pier without a meltdown, a bedtime routine that finally settles. Parent coaching keeps that progress alive between visits.
Families often reach out once they notice a child struggling with routines and realize the nearest specialist sits a long drive south. As an occupational therapist working across Pompano Beach, 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 walk along the pier stop feeling unpredictable and start feeling like something to enjoy again. Sessions often happen right at home, sparing families the long drive south for support.
Walking the pier, playing in soft sand, or navigating the inlet's uneven docks asks more of a developing body than a typical 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 walking the length of the pier confidently or finally managing sandy shoes and buckles with ease. We build strength and coordination using the beach itself, sand play, pier walks, gentle water games.
Salt air, shifting sand, and the sound of the inlet create a distinct sensory environment that some children find calming and others find overwhelming. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the resistance to the beach itself, a child who once avoided the sand begins asking to return. We lean on the coastline's natural textures, sand, water, sea breeze, to help a child's nervous system find new ways to settle.
A slower town does not always mean smaller feelings, and some children here still struggle to name what they are feeling before it becomes a meltdown. This work is for exactly that child. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through an entire beach afternoon starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and coping tools that hold up on even the most laid back days.
Many parents here are doing their best without easy access to nearby specialists built specifically for kids. This is for the caregiver who wants real, local support. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their instincts instead of feeling like help always sits somewhere else down the coast. We talk through your real week, beach routines, school schedules, sibling dynamics, and build a plan that fits your specific stretch of the coast.
A slower beach town already moves at the pace mindfulness with plants asks for, making it a natural fit for many families here. What shifts is presence, a child who cannot sit still after a busy beach day settles easily while tending something small and green at home. Sessions might include a patio planting ritual with sea air drifting in, a quiet practice that mirrors the town's own unhurried pace.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Pompano Beach and into neighboring Lighthouse Point and Deerfield Beach. Sessions happen right at home, sparing you the long drive south. 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 the unhurried pace of a smaller beach town. I bring therapy directly into Pompano Beach's homes, so no family has to make the long drive south alone. 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.