Occupational Therapist in South Miami, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Some of my favorite families to work with are the ones tucked into a genuinely small town feel, even though the rest of Miami is just minutes away. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that daily routines quietly require, delivered in a setting that already feels familiar to them.
Sunset Drive's shops give way to Dante Fascell Park, South Miami Hospital anchors the medical corridor along Red Road, and the University of Miami sits just up the street for families balancing academic schedules with childhood. Kids here often bike to a neighbor's yard rather than drive, and that closeness shapes how a family experiences support.
A close knit community brings its own kind of pressure, everyone seems to know everyone, and that visibility can make parents hesitant to ask for help even when they need it most. What families here want is a therapist who respects that closeness while still offering something private and genuinely their own.

How it works

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Step 1

I believe therapy should feel like an extension of neighborhood life, not a separate clinical world. We use the yard, the porch, or the living room already familiar to your child to build skills that actually stick.
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Step 2

We start with a real conversation, not a form, about your child and your family's pace. That conversation shapes a plan built around your specific home and routine.
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Step 3

Momentum builds quickly once we begin, a bike ride without a meltdown, a bedtime that goes smoothly two nights in a row. Parent coaching keeps that progress steady between visits.
Families usually reach out once they notice everyday routines, getting dressed, eating, winding down, have quietly become a daily battle. As an occupational therapist working across South Miami, 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 bike ride to the park stop feeling risky and start feeling like fun again. Sessions might happen right in the front yard or driveway, using whatever your child already gravitates toward.
Bike rides, park visits, and shared yards ask a lot of a child's balance and coordination, more than a quiet neighborhood might suggest. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the first thing families notice, whether it is trouble pedaling or struggling with shoelaces. The relief shows up in small wins, a child riding confidently to a friend's house or tying their own shoes before practice. We build strength and coordination using the neighborhood itself, driveways, sidewalks, a favorite tree to climb.
Shared yards, busy playdates, and the noise of a close knit block can overwhelm a sensitive child faster than people expect. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the meltdown after a playdate, a child begins finding their own way back to calm instead of shutting down entirely. We lean on the yard and neighborhood textures already available to help a child's nervous system settle.
Being watched by an entire close knit neighborhood can make a child's big feelings feel even bigger to manage. This work is for the child who cannot yet name what they feel before it spills over. Families notice the recovery time shrink first, a meltdown that once lasted through an entire evening starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and calming tools that hold up even with neighbors watching from next door.
Many parents here hesitate to ask for help in a neighborhood where everyone seems to know everyone. This is for the caregiver who wants something private and genuinely their own. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their own instinct instead of worrying what the neighbors think. We talk through your real week, shared yard conflicts, sibling friction, school pickup chaos, and build a plan that fits your family specifically.
A neighborhood already built around yards and porches makes mindfulness with plants feel like a natural next step for many families. What shifts is presence, a child who cannot sit still through dinner settles easily while tending a small garden bed. Sessions might include a front yard planting ritual or a simple gardening practice shared with siblings or neighbors.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout South Miami and into neighboring Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and Kendall. Sessions often happen in the yard, driveway, or living room, wherever your child feels most at home. 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 neighborhoods small enough to know by name. I bring therapy into South Miami's yards and living rooms, honoring both the closeness of the community and the privacy each family deserves. 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.