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Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Stephanie Kovacs

OTR/L

Bio

I am an experienced Outpatient Pediatric Occupational Therapist with a passion for collaborating with caregivers and being part of their "team" to support their child. I understand the value that caregivers provide when they share their expertise and insights about their child, and I know that "progress" towards therapeutic goals happens most effectively and sustainably when we "work" together. From a treatment perspective, I am focused on taking a strengths-based, evidence-driven approach to supporting my therapeutic outcomes. What really drew me to Kinspire was the opportunity the model provided to be integrated into families' lives not just 1 hour a week, but the other 167 hours of the week as well.

I graduated with my master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina and have worked almost exclusively in pediatric mental health and outpatient pediatric therapy settings. I am a passionate and avid learner, and I hold an advanced level practitioner certification in DIR Floortime, am a Star Institute Advanced Mentored Clinician in Sensory Processing Disorder, am certified in the Sensory Integration series through Spiral Foundation, hold a certification in the Ayres’ Sensory Integration Theory, Assessment, and Treatment program through the University of Southern California, and I am currently a fellow in the Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist fellowship program through UC Davis. I also have a variety of training and experience in the following areas: Integrated Listening Systems, trauma-informed care, bowel/bladder difficulties, feeding, and social-emotional development.

I live in one of my favorite cities in the world (Chicago), and I enjoy good coffee, travel, family time, and snuggling with my pugs Cheez Whiz and Sloppy Joe.

Education and Practice

Medical University of South Carolina:
Master of Science - MS, Occupational Therapy/Therapist

University of Illinois:
Champaign-Urbana: Bachelor of Science - BS, Psychology

Specialties

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Balance and Posture Issues

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Developmental Coordination Disorder

  • Developmental Delay

  • Down Syndrome

  • Early Childhood Development

  • Executive Functioning

  • Feeding and Oral Motor Difficulties

  • Fine Motor Delay

  • Genetic Syndromes

  • Handwriting Difficulties

  • Learning Challenges

  • Motor Delays

  • Motor Planning and Coordination

  • Play Skills

  • Self-Care Skills

  • Sensory Processing Disorder

  • Sensory Seeking or Sensory Avoidance Behaviors

  • Social Communication Disorder

  • Transition and Routine Difficulties

  • Visual Motor Integration Problems

  • Visual Perceptual and Visual Motor Integration Difficulties


"Kinspire allows me to build relationships with caregivers more effectively so we can learn from each other and better support their child in a way that feels relevant, practical, and supportive for each unique family. No child is the same and no family is the same, and this process allows that deeper connection and individualized support."

Family Story

"Stephanie is so patient, understanding, empathetic to his needs and overall EXTREMELY intelligent in sensory dysfunction disorder. She is incredibly organized and prepared for our OT session every single time we come. She is open to outside conversations to help me better understand my son and how to help him. I feel like she is my partner in crime while navigating how to help my 3 year old overcome these challenges he is currently facing. As a family and as a mother, I take our OT sessions very seriously and I am very engaged in what my son is doing and how we can better support him to feel successful. Stephanie’s creativity, intelligence and overall calmness is what my son has thrived on over the last few months. I have noticed a major improvement in his abilities and behavior at home. Stephanie encourages constructive criticism as do I therefore our experience with growing together pediatrics is more that I could have ever hoped for. We drive a good distance into the city , against difficult traffic, to see ms. Stephanie. There is not one session I have felt this commute wasn’t worth it! I can’t thank her enough for her expertise, clinical experience and dedication to our son! I look forward to what my son will be able to do come a year from now! Thank you, growing together pediatrics. We wouldn’t be the same without you! ❤️"