Occupational Therapist in Westchester, FL | Fine & Gross Motor Skills Development
Some of the steadiest families I work with are the ones who have lived on the same block for a decade, in the kind of neighborhood where every house looks a little different but every routine feels familiar. My practice supports children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the motor and emotional skills that everyday life asks of them, right in that same familiar setting.
Bird Road runs straight through the heart of the neighborhood, single story homes line quiet residential blocks near Coral Way, and Westchester Elementary sits close enough that many kids walk to school. Flagami's bakeries and family owned shops sit just beyond the border, and everything about the area feels built for everyday family life rather than show.
Living in a neighborhood built around routine can make it harder to notice when a child is genuinely struggling, since so much of daily life already looks steady from the outside. Parents here often carry the load quietly, juggling multiple kids and long work hours, and want a therapist who fits into that rhythm instead of asking them to rearrange it.

How it works

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Step 1

Growth should fit into the life a family already has, not ask them to build a new one around therapy. We use the driveway, the living room, or the backyard already part of your daily routine.
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Step 2

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

Small shifts add up quickly, a homework routine that stops ending in tears, a sibling squabble that resolves faster than before. Parent coaching keeps that progress alive through busy weeks.
Families usually reach out once they notice that everyday routines, getting dressed, mealtime, bedtime, take far more effort than they should. As an occupational therapist working across Westchester, I support children who are sensory seeking, easily overwhelmed, or still building the fine and gross motor skills their days demand. Parents describe the shift as relief, watching mornings before school stop feeling like a battle and start feeling manageable. Sessions often happen right in the driveway or living room, built around what already works for your family.
Riding a bike down a quiet residential street or managing a backpack zipper before school asks more of a developing body than people expect. Fine and gross motor skills development is often the starting point once families notice a child hesitating or struggling with fasteners. The relief shows up in small wins, a child pedaling confidently down the block or zipping their own backpack unassisted. We build coordination using the driveway and yard already part of daily life, chalk games, ball tossing, sidewalk obstacle courses.
A packed household schedule, siblings, homework, after school activities, can overwhelm a sensitive child faster than a quieter routine would. This shows up often among the families I support here. What shifts first is usually the after school meltdown, a child starts finding their own way to settle instead of unraveling the moment they walk in the door. We build calming routines that fit a busy household, a designated quiet corner, a predictable wind down ritual.
Long work hours and multiple kids under one roof can leave very little bandwidth for a child's big feelings by the end of the day. 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 dinner starts resolving in minutes. We build a feelings vocabulary and coping tools that hold up in a full, busy household.
Many parents here are quietly juggling more than anyone realizes and still show up trying their best every day. This is for the caregiver who wants tools that fit a genuinely full schedule. The shift I see most is confidence, trusting their instincts instead of squeezing in one more strategy between errands. We talk through your real week, homework battles, sibling rivalry, bedtime routines, and build a plan that fits your household as it actually runs.
Even a modest backyard can become a doorway into something slower when a family is ready for it. What shifts is presence, a child who struggles to sit still through dinner settles easily while tending a small garden bed. Sessions might include a backyard planting ritual that becomes a weekly anchor for the whole household.

I serve children, teens and adults

I work with families throughout Westchester and into neighboring Flagami and Tamiami. Sessions often happen in the driveway, backyard, or living room, wherever fits your household's rhythm. 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 understands that steady, busy households need therapy that fits in, not one more thing to manage. I bring support directly into Westchester's driveways and living rooms. 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.