Empowering
Children of All
Abilities to Play

More, Do More,
and Achieve More

kid.nec.tiv.i.ty (kid, nek' tivedē) noun

Explore Our Services
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WHY CHOOSE US?

Kidnectivity is where science, innovation, play, and compassion merge to create therapeutic excellence.

As our name implies, we have a foundational belief that children create, strengthen and increase connections in response to nurturing, playful, and safe environments. At Kidnectivity, we help kids find their passion for participation in play and life.

We merge this belief into a collaborative environment where families and therapists work together as a team to share and grow. Our whole family approach means we work with you, your child, siblings, and caregivers so that gains are made, not just in the clinic setting but in your child's daily life. Working as a team, our goal is to empower each child to reach their fullest potential.

Our expert clinicians continuously merge current science, innovation, and clinical skills to produce an individually tailored and effective therapy plan. Quality is of the utmost importance and is continuously delivered by experienced and supported therapists, as a therapist and parent-owned clinic.

SEE THE DIFFERENCE AND BE A PART OF EXCELLENCE IN MOTION!

WHY CHOOSE US?

OUR SERVICES

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability—occupational therapists address motor, visual-perceptive, cognitive, and sensory-processing skills. Pediatric occupational therapy treatment helps children be as independent as possible in all areas of their lives.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical therapy provides services to improve mobility, increase muscle strength and endurance, develop or restore function, alleviate pain, and promote our clients' overall health and wellness. They collaborate with families to promote the child’s ability to function independently and optimize movement for lifelong meaningful participation in their community.

SOCIAL GROUP CLASSES

Designed to promote social development and reinforce new skills while embracing the individuality of each child.

An occupational therapist and additional team members lead the small, intimate group in a playful, supportive environment.

The group's goals are to help children develop social and play skills through games and arts and crafts.

INTENSIVES

Looking to make a functional change for an individual child, intensive therapy programs are developed around each child's and family's unique needs and strengths. After a thorough evaluation, specific functional and measurable goals are established at the beginning of each intensive and used to develop a plan. Intensives may or may not combine OT and PT.

PARENT EDUCATION

We are dedicated to empowering parents in the demanding yet profoundly fulfilling task of nurturing joyful, successful children in our rapidly evolving world. Our commitment lies in equipping parents with cutting-edge, highly effective strategies to connect with their children in a nurturing and positive way. 

Parents have the flexibility to arrange personalized one-on-one sessions with our expert therapists, tailored to their child's unique requirements. Alternatively, we provide group seminars on a range of essential topics, including infant development, emotional resilience, sensory integration, and contemporary parenting principles. 

SUMMER CAMPS

Our summer camps merge principles of a focused intensive into a fun group setting. Although each child is working on individual goals, the group setting and activities increase motivation, cooperation, peer interaction, and the overall playful environment. Depending on the needs and strengths of the child, camps will vary on a group and individual activities. Occupational therapy and physical therapy components can create a personalized program.

OUR TEAM

DAGMARA COOKE, MOT, OTR/L, C/NDT

Dagmara received her Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in 2013. As a native of Poland, she is adept at working with individuals with diverse backgrounds and employs a multicultural approach in her treatment. A true believer in unique and individualized therapy, she uses play and a family approach as a focal guide towards helping her patients reach their treatment goals. She strongly believes in reaching the potential of each child through emphasizing her patients’ strengths while finding accommodations for more difficult areas of functioning. Over the years she has continued to take on continuing education courses to enhance her knowledge and patient care. Amongst many, Dagmara completed her NDT/Bobath (neurodevelopmental treatment) certification in the management and treatment of children with cerebral palsy and other neuromotor disorders. Her interests and frames of reference for treatment vary from sensory-based approaches to neuro and neuro-behavioral perspectives, as well as social-emotional.

Her desire in working with children is to strive for dedication, commitment, functional outcome and evidence-based practice. Dagmara enjoys the outdoors, has a deep passion for dancing and other fine arts. She utilizes her creativity to enhance treatment and connect with patients on a different level.   
DAGMARA COOKE
LISA VALENTIN

Claudia is a proud graduate of Marquette Universty in Physical Therapy. Having practiced pediatric physical therapy for over twenty five years, she has had the privlidge of meeting and working with many great kids and their families. She lives in the suburbs with her family, four boys and her husband.  At home, she enjoys baking, cooking for her boys, and running to enjoy the outdoors. 

CLAUDIA FISHER

Megan received her bachelor’s in journalism from Northwestern University and her doctorate in occupational therapy from Tufts University. She appreciates the holistic nature of occupational therapy and prioritizes strengths-based, family-centered care. She is passionate about supporting clients from diverse backgrounds and has fieldwork experience working with refugee families. In her free time, Megan loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and practicing yoga and martial arts.

CLARE GIUFFRIDA PHD, MS, OTR/L, C/NDT, FAOTA

More than thirty-five years ago Clare graduated from Columbia University’s master’s program in Occupational Therapy specializing in pediatrics. Clare attributes her early professional experiences in California working with Dr. Jean Ayres and teaching sensory integration theory and treatment as significantly impacting her professional trajectory. Upon completing the doctoral program in motor control and learning at Pennsylvania State University Clare continued as an occupational therapist but primarily within the arenas of education, research and management. At Kidnectivity she focuses on the delivery of early intervention services and the identification and treatment of children with sensory processing challenges. With Kidnectivity leadership and team she is contributing to the development of a pediatric mentorship program for staff and students. Clare’s most recent publication is as one of the editors of and authors in, An Evidence Based Guide to Combining Interventions with Sensory Integration in Pediatric Practice (Blanche, Giuffrida, Hallway, Edwards and Test, 2022). 

Clare Giuffrida posing for a picture wearing coat
ANGELICA BARRAZA

Heather Hook, MS, OTR/L, OTD

Heather has been practicing pediatric OT for the last 10+ years.  She received her master's at Rush University and her post-professional doctorate at Texas Women’s University.  Heather became interested in occupational therapy at an incredibly early age, 14, when her great-uncle had to receive services after experiencing multiple strokes.  She could see the effects OT had on her uncle’s life and those around him.  Heather has always been interested in working in the pediatric field and found her niche while working with children with special needs while in undergraduate.  She quickly recognized OT's influences on children's social, emotional, and physical well-being and knew that was the career path for her.

Heather has practiced in various settings, including outpatient clinics, schools, in client’s homes, and daycares.  She has worked with patients ranging from 3 months to 24 years old, with a wide range of diagnoses including but not limited to, Autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorder, traumatic brain injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, Down Syndrome, and learning disabilities.  Heather specializes in sensory integration, DIR/Floortime, social-emotional skills, executive functioning skills, visual perceptual skills, and early intervention.

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