Business Details
Your Trusted Pediatric Therapy Partner in Raleigh, NC
Pediatric Therapy Associates is a multi-disciplinary pediatric therapy practice serving the Triangle area of North Carolina for over 30 years. Our mission focuses on delivering quality services for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 26 through physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, feeding therapy, and specialized programs like constraint-induced movement therapy. We maintain expertise in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment while emphasizing parental involvement and lasting family partnerships. As a teaching site for undergraduate and graduate interns, we combine clinical excellence with ongoing professional development. Our services extend beyond clinic walls through partnerships with local schools and daycares, providing on-site therapeutic support.With locations in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, and Wake Forest, we offer flexible treatment environments including homes, schools, and community sites. Our team of dedicated professionals works closely with families to establish therapeutic goals and support children's rehabilitative needs. We prioritize open communication between families and therapists to ensure optimal outcomes. Our administrative staff assists with insurance verification and financial planning to make services accessible. By fostering relationships between children and therapists, we create engaging environments that promote consistent progress.
Services
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech-Language Pathology
Feeding Therapy
Developmental Therapy
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Hippotherapy
School Partnerships
Seasonal Therapy Groups
Early Intervention
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in pediatric therapy services
- Our multidisciplinary team offers comprehensive treatment options
- We partner with local schools to provide on-site therapeutic services
- We encourage parental involvement and form lasting family partnerships
- As a teaching site, our team stays at the forefront of pediatric therapy advancements
What people say
Exceptional therapists
Feel like family
Constant learning
Invaluable services
Genuine care
Services
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapists help children achieve independence through specialized treatment focusing on developmental skills. We address fine motor coordination, sensory processing, and daily living activities using play-based interventions. Our therapists create personalized plans that improve hand-eye coordination, grasp patterns, and self-care abilities while maintaining family involvement throughout the therapeutic process.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy services develop mobility, strength, and coordination through individualized treatment plans. Our therapists address gross motor delays, balance issues, and postural control using evidence-based techniques. Sessions focus on improving functional movement patterns, endurance, and safety awareness while incorporating family-guided home exercise programs to support continuous progress.
Speech-Language Pathology
We evaluate and treat speech sound disorders, language delays, and social communication challenges through structured therapy sessions. Our pathologists use play-based activities to develop articulation, vocabulary, and conversational skills. Treatment includes parent education components and strategies for carryover in home and school environments to maximize communication development.
Feeding Therapy
Specialized feeding therapy addresses oral motor difficulties, sensory aversions, and swallowing disorders in children. Our trained therapists use gradual desensitization techniques and positive reinforcement to expand food variety and improve mealtime behaviors. Treatment incorporates family collaboration to create consistent feeding routines across environments.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
This intensive therapy program improves upper extremity function through structured use of the affected limb. Our therapists implement evidence-based protocols combining constraint techniques with repetitive task practice. The program includes home exercise components and family training to maintain therapeutic gains beyond clinical sessions.
People
Gerry Highsmith
Director
With decades of pediatric therapy experience, Gerry Highsmith leads our clinical team as Director. She specializes in developing comprehensive treatment programs and mentoring staff therapists. Her expertise in pediatric rehabilitation guides our clinical standards and family-centered care approach.
Cheryl Stephenson
Co-Director
As Co-Director and speech-language pathologist, Cheryl Stephenson oversees clinical operations while maintaining direct patient care. She focuses on communication development programs and interdisciplinary team coordination. Her dual role ensures clinical excellence aligns with administrative support systems.
Dylan Vandiver
Occupational Therapist
Dylan Vandiver provides occupational therapy with emphasis on sensory integration and fine motor development. Recognized for creating engaging treatment sessions, he develops individualized plans that improve handwriting, coordination, and self-regulation skills through playful, child-directed activities.
Jessica Ufford
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica Ufford specializes in social communication disorders and early language development. Her therapy sessions incorporate peer interactions and naturalistic teaching methods to build conversational skills. She emphasizes parent collaboration to reinforce communication strategies across environments.
Carly Highsmith
Therapist
Carly Highsmith implements therapeutic interventions that address emotional regulation and behavioral challenges. Her approach combines sensory-based techniques with cognitive-behavioral strategies to help children develop self-calming skills and appropriate expression of emotions.
Questions
What pediatric therapy services do you offer?
We provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, feeding therapy, developmental therapy, and constraint-induced movement therapy for children up to age 26.
Do you have multiple therapy locations?
Yes, we serve families at four convenient locations in Raleigh, Cary, Garner, and Wake Forest, North Carolina.
How does insurance work for therapy sessions?
We work with major insurance providers and verify benefits before treatment. Our staff files claims and obtains necessary authorizations to simplify the financial process for families.
Can therapy occur at school locations?
Yes, we partner with local schools and daycares to provide on-site therapeutic services through our community partnership program.
What makes your therapy approach unique?
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates across specialties while emphasizing family involvement and individualized treatment plans tailored to each child's specific needs.
How do you involve parents in therapy?
We encourage active parental participation through home exercise programs, weekly progress discussions, and collaborative goal-setting to ensure consistent therapeutic outcomes.
Reviews (4)
Meg Fender
Jun 24, 2022
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We highly recommend Pediatric Therapy Associates. We have worked with Ms. Gabby for OT, and Ms. Olivia and Ms. Jessica for speech therapy. All three therapists are very knowledgeable, kind, and patient. We consider ourselves very lucky to have found this practice.
Dora Zaharias
Jun 23, 2022
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Diane, Dylan, and Elizabeth are outstanding members of the PTA team! They are truly patient-centered, passionate about their careers, and have been instrumental to my son's progress. I have the utmost respect for each of them, and I am so grateful to have them on our care team. We are beyond pleased with our therapy, and I would give 1000 stars if I could!
Emily Milch
Jun 23, 2022
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My daughter has been seeing Jessica for speech since she was 21 months old. She is so great with her and has a passion for helping people. We have seen a huge improvement in my daughter's confidence since starting speech therapy at Pediatric Therapy Associates.
Ananya Choudhury
Jun 23, 2022
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We have been associated with Pediatric Therapy Associates, Raleigh since our daughter was less than a year old. We started with Sheryl Jewett as our OT through CDSA. She is amazing. She is the best OT we ever worked with. When we were looking for a new SLP, Sheryl recommended Diane Winner to us. My daughter I think was 2.5 years old when we went to Diane. She was non-verbal, communicated only with sign language.
Within six months with Diane, my daughter started talking. Diane has been fabulous. I cannot speak enough of her. My daughter is doing fantastic under her. Diane has a clear strategy. Inspite of seeing so many patients, she still keeps track of the child's progress. That's why her sessions never feel repetitive. It's either the next step if the child is ready or a reinforcement if the child is not there yet. Diane also listens carefully to what I say as a parent. Her feedbacks are valuable. We absolutely love her.
Within six months with Diane, my daughter started talking. Diane has been fabulous. I cannot speak enough of her. My daughter is doing fantastic under her. Diane has a clear strategy. Inspite of seeing so many patients, she still keeps track of the child's progress. That's why her sessions never feel repetitive. It's either the next step if the child is ready or a reinforcement if the child is not there yet. Diane also listens carefully to what I say as a parent. Her feedbacks are valuable. We absolutely love her.
