Therapy and services for Chicago-area kids, teens, and families
Occupational therapy (OT), speech, feeding, applied behavior analysis (ABA), and Social, Emotional and Behavioral Therapy for kids and teens, ages 18 months to 18, often billed to insurance. Enrollment in our school is not required. Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) funds may apply.
Our therapy and services
Tap a service to see what it involves and how we approach it.
Pediatric occupational therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy helps children build the everyday skills that let them play, learn, and take part in family life. That can include fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, self-regulation, and daily routines like dressing and mealtime. Our occupational therapists work one to one and tailor each plan to your child.
Pediatric speech therapy
Speech-language therapy supports how your child understands and uses language, from early words to conversation, social communication, and clear speech. For children who communicate in other ways, our speech-language pathologists also have augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) experience.
Feeding therapy
Feeding therapy helps children who are selective eaters or who struggle with the mechanics of eating. We work on expanding accepted foods, oral motor skills, and calmer, lower stress mealtimes for the whole family.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
Behavioral support helps children learn skills and reduce behaviors that get in the way of learning and connection. A board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) on our team designs plans rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA), focused on skill building and your child's dignity.
Tutoring and academic support
Academic support and tutoring help children build reading, writing, and math skills using structured, evidence-based methods: 1:1 Wilson Reading System® tutoring for reading and Number Worlds® for math, plus Fundations®-based literacy support for younger children. Tutoring is for students of all abilities in kindergarten through 8th grade, whether or not they attend our school.
Sleep Hygiene Consult
A Sleep Hygiene Consult helps families build healthier sleep habits at home. We look at bedtime routines and daily habits and share practical next steps that fit your family. This is behavioral support, not medical treatment.
Toileting Support
We partner with families to understand readiness cues, build routines, and navigate setbacks, at your child's pace.
Connect therapy to the rest of the picture
Therapy works best when it is guided by a clear understanding of your child and connected to the right support.
Therapy that fits your child, often billed to insurance
Families come to the clinic after school or at scheduled times during the day, and enrollment in our school is not required. When your insurance covers it, therapy is billed to the plan.
Coverage varies by plan. We confirm yours at intake.
Check insurance and billing →Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern. Cigna PPO for testing only, through the Center for Comprehensive Neurobehavioral Care (CCNC).
May apply. We provide a master bill you can submit to insurance, a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health savings account (HSA), and some costs may count as medical expenses on your taxes.
We help you confirm coverage before anything begins. Coverage varies by plan.
How does a clinic visit work?
Intake
You reach out and tell us a little about your child. You do not need to share medical records to start.
Insurance review
We check your Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern coverage and walk you through what to expect before anything begins.
First appointment
Your child meets their therapist, who gets to know them and begins an individualized assessment.
A plan
You leave with clear goals and a schedule. Because we are also a school and a clinic, the plan can connect to other support if needed.
When is the clinic the right call?
The clinic is a fit for children and teens who need targeted therapy. If a child needs a level of medical care we cannot provide, or a service we do not offer, we will say so and point you toward the right provider.
For referring professionals: see our For Professionals page to send a referral. We follow up soon and coordinate with a signed release.
The clinic sees children and teens, whether or not they attend our school.
Come for the specific support your child needs; enrollment in our school is not required.
If another provider is the better or safer fit, we say so and point you there.
Therapy questions families ask
Where can my child get ABA therapy in Chicago?
Black Bear Academy offers behavioral intervention rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA) for ages 18 months to 18. A board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) designs each plan around skill building and your child's dignity. Your child does not need to attend the school. Our clinicians are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern plans. Coverage varies by plan.
Do you offer pediatric occupational therapy in Chicago?
Yes. Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) works on fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, self-regulation, and daily routines. Sessions are one to one, usually 1 hour, in person, Monday to Friday, at 1801 W Byron St in Chicago.
Do you offer speech therapy for kids in Chicago?
Yes. Our speech-language pathologists work on language from early words to conversation, social communication, and clear speech. They also have experience with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for children who communicate in other ways. Your child does not need to attend the school.
Does my child have to attend the school to receive therapy?
No. Therapy, evaluations, tutoring, and parent and caregiver support are open to children who do not attend the school. You do not have to enroll to work with our team.
What ages do you work with?
The clinic works with children and teens, ages 18 months to 18, who need targeted therapy, whether or not they attend our school.
What insurance do you accept?
Our clinicians are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern. Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) funds may apply, and we provide a master bill you can submit for reimbursement. Some costs may also count as medical expenses on your taxes, so check with your tax advisor. Coverage varies by plan. We confirm yours at intake.
How do we get started?
You reach out and tell us a little about your child. You do not need to share medical records to start. We check your coverage and walk you through what to expect, your child meets their therapist, and you leave with clear goals and a schedule.
Does therapy continue over the summer?
Yes. Therapy continues through the summer, and families in Summer Programming can add therapy services in the afternoon.
What if you are not the right fit for my child?
If a child needs a level of medical care we cannot provide, or a service we do not offer, we will say so and point you toward the right provider.
How long are sessions, and when are they?
Sessions are usually 1 hour, Monday to Friday, and take place in person, with telehealth available for some services.
Which services are usually private pay?
Tutoring, Sleep Hygiene Consult, and Toileting Support are usually private pay, though insurance sometimes applies. Coverage for parent coaching depends on your plan. Ask us to check yours.
Let's get your child started
Request therapy or book a short info call. A team member will follow up soon.
Social, Emotional and Behavioral Therapy
Helps children understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships, and handle everyday challenges. The work focuses on emotional regulation, coping skills, social skills, and school readiness. Our approach is trauma-informed and grounded in Conscious Discipline®. Some children also work in a therapeutic dyad: two children and one therapist practice taking turns, sharing, talking about feelings, and solving problems together, so new skills carry over to school, home, and the community.