Support & Resources

• Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
• Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day
• Friday, July 4 – 4th of July
• Monday, September 1 – Labor Day
• Friday, October 31 – Halloween – Clinic closes at 3PM (Last session for OT – 2pm, Speech – 2:30pm)
• Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving
• Thursday, December 25 – Christmas
• Wednesday, December 31 – NYE – Clinic closes at 3PM (Last session for OT – 2pm, Speech – 2:30pm)

Before the Evaluation

Evaluations are one hour long, carefully
designed to gather all the necessary information for an assessment while keeping the experience fun and
engaging.

During this time, our skilled therapists will carefully observe and take notes to gather accurate information about your child’s needs. You are welcome to stay with your child during the evaluation or allow them to complete it independently—whichever option makes you and your child most comfortable.

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for check-in. We ask that all paperwork and checklists be
completed before arriving for the evaluation. These forms will be emailed to you after scheduling the evaluation.

There’s nothing else you need to do to prepare. You may bring a snack and water bottle for your child, and we recommend they wear socks. To keep our play spaces and equipment clean, we have a no-shoe policy. We kindly ask that you remove your shoes at the front door before entering. If you choose to leave during your child’s
evaluation, please return 10 minutes early.

After the Evaluation

Once the evaluation is complete, the therapist will provide you with some quick initial feedback about how your
child performed. They will also let you know whether your child qualifies for therapy services.

If your child qualifies, our Client Care Coordinator will reach out to you by phone to help you begin scheduling ongoing sessions. Additionally, you will receive a detailed evaluation report from the therapist. As part of the process, you will schedule a 15-minute call with the evaluating therapist to review the report, discuss the results, and establish goals. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and working together to support your child’s progress and success.

Our Developmental Preschool offers a nurturing environment tailored for children aged 3-6, where play-based learning thrives. Here, we focus on fostering growth in cognitive, social, speech & language, and fine & gross motor skills. Whether your child has a medical diagnosis or not, our program provides a unique curriculum and individualized attention to support their development. Fore more information, please visit our Preschool Page.

To register or schedule a tour, please call our office at 224-248-9449 or email clientcare@stepfwdtherapy.com so that we can send the registration forms to you through Fusion.

Want to learn more about why our program is beneficial? Read more about it on our blog!

2024-2025 School Year Closures

• Monday, August 25 – First Day of Preschool
• Monday, September 1 – Labor Day
• Friday, October 31 – Afternoon Enrichment ends at 3pm
• Thursday, November 27 – Friday, November 28 – Thanksgiving Break
• Monday, December 22 – Friday, December 26 – Winter Break
• Wednesday, December 31 – Afternoon Enrichment ends at 3pm
• Thursday, January 1 – New Years Day
• Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27 – Spring Break
• Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day
• Friday, June 6 – Last Day of Preschool

Click here for the 2024-2025 Supply List

Discover the magic of outdoor therapy with Step Forward Therapy’s enriching camps! Led by Miss Claire, our camps seamlessly integrate pediatric occupational and speech therapy into fun-filled outdoor adventures. Offered multiple times a year, these camps help children develop essential skills such as balance, coordination, teamwork, and social interaction. Join us for an unforgettable experience that fosters growth and confidence in a natural setting!

Sign up for our February Outdoor Camp by CLICKING HERE.

Stay tuned for a special Saturday outdoor therapy camp planned for May 5th!

At Step Forward Therapy, we are committed to making therapy accessible and convenient for your family. For families opting for offsite sessions, our therapists will work with your child at their child care center or school creating a familiar and comfortable environment for learning and growth. This page outlines what you need to know to make the most of your child’s offsite therapy experience.

Our therapists travel from our clinic in Rolling Meadows to provide services at offsite locations such as childcare centers and schools. This convenient option allows your child to receive therapy during the day while saving you a trip to the clinic. We work closely with childcare centers and schools to coordinate session times that fit seamlessly into your child’s routine, ensuring minimal disruption to their daily activities. Our therapists bring all the materials and equipment needed for each session, delivering a high-quality, personalized experience for your child. Every week, you’ll receive an email from your therapist outlining what was accomplished, your child’s progress, and practical tips for at-home support.

For the best experience, we recommend using Fusion in Google Chrome.

Making a Payment
You can make a payment through the patient portal for any patient you are linked to. Click “Make a Payment,” enter your payment details, and save. If you need a receipt, click “Print Receipt.”

If you have trouble making a payment on an iPhone, go to Settings > Safari and turn off Prevent Cross-Site Tracking and Block All Cookies. On a Mac, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and uncheck those options.

Viewing Previous Payments
Only payments made through the portal are visible. To view them, click Portal Payments in the sidebar. To print a receipt, click the Print Receipt icon and then select Download PDF or Print. For receipts from other payment methods, contact the clinic.

Viewing Account Balance
Your dashboard shows the account balance for each patient you are linked to.

Accessing Invoices
To view invoices, click Invoices in the sidebar. To print, click the Print Invoice icon, then choose Download PDF or Print.

View Upcoming Appointments
Click Appointments in the sidebar to see a list of upcoming appointments for linked patients.

Accessing Completed Documents
Click Documents in the sidebar to view completed documents for linked patients.

How long will my child be in therapy?
The length of therapy varies for each child and depends on factors such as their specific goals, how often they attend
sessions, and the consistency of those sessions. Our priority is your child’s progress, and we will work with you to
ensure they receive the right amount of therapy to achieve their goals and set them up for long-term success.

Do I need to stay at the clinic during my child’s services?
No, you are not required to stay during your child’s session. You are welcome to join your child, wait in the waiting
area, or leave the clinic. If you do leave, we kindly ask that your child arrives on time and that you return 10 minutes
early. This allows time for a brief conversation with the therapist about what was worked on, any challenges faced,
and suggestions for how to continue supporting your child at home.

Who will my child’s therapist be?
The therapist who evaluates your child may not be their ongoing therapist. All of our therapists are highly qualified,
and we work hard to match your child with a therapist who is the best fit for their needs and your schedule. While
therapists may occasionally change, or your child may work with more than one therapist, our focus is always on
maintaining consistency in care to support steady progress.

What should I expect at my child’s first therapy session?
Your child’s first session is simple! Please arrive about 5 minutes before the session begins. Upon arrival, check in with our front desk staff, who will notify the therapist. The therapist will greet you and your child in the lobby, then guide your child to the therapy area to begin the session. We kindly ask that you return to the lobby 5-7 minutes before the session ends, so the therapist can meet with you to discuss what was accomplished, your child’s progress, and any activities you can do at home to support continued improvement.

What should my child bring to therapy sessions?
Your child should wear comfortable clothing and bring any assistive devices they regularly use, such as glasses or an
AAC device. If your child is enrolled in feeding therapy, please also pack any necessary food items.

How can I support my child’s progress at home?
Our therapists will provide recommendations and exercises for home practice to support the skills learned in therapy.

How do I schedule/change my child’s sessions?
Scheduling is easy! Simply give us a call at 224-248-9449 or email us at scheduling@stepfwdtherapy.com. Our team is happy to assist you with any scheduling needs or changes.