Laura McKinney, MOT, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist who is passionate about helping children build the skills and confidence they need to participate successfully in everyday life. She believes that every child has unique strengths and learns best through meaningful relationships, play, and experiences that are both engaging and challenging.

Laura provides individualized, play-based occupational therapy for infants, toddlers, and children with a wide range of developmental needs. She has extensive experience supporting autistic children and is trained in the DIR/Floortime® model, a relationship-based approach that uses play to foster communication, emotional regulation, social connection, and development.

Laura has a special interest in helping children develop emotional regulation, executive functioning, sensory processing, fine motor skills, play skills, and independence with everyday activities. Whether a child is struggling with transitions, attention, emotional outbursts, self-care routines, handwriting, feeding, or participating in school and community activities, Laura works closely with families to create practical, individualized strategies that build confidence and lasting success.

She values a collaborative approach and partners with parents, physicians, teachers, and other therapy providers to ensure every child receives consistent, comprehensive support across environments.

Laura earned her Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Saint Louis University and is certified by the State of Illinois as an Early Intervention Occupational Therapist and Evaluator.

Laura’s Special Areas of Interest Include:

• Emotional regulation and coping skills

• Executive functioning (attention, organization, planning, and self-monitoring)

• Sensory processing differences

• Fine motor and visual motor development

• Handwriting readiness and school participation

• Play and social participation

• Self-care skills, including dressing, feeding, and daily routines

• Sensory-based feeding challenges

• Motor planning and coordination

• Parent coaching and home strategies

Laura has experience working with children with a variety of developmental and medical diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, genetic syndromes, and other conditions that impact a child's participation in everyday activities.

Laura lives in Woodridge with her husband and three children. Outside of work, she enjoys riding her e-bike, discovering new local restaurants, caring for her ever-growing collection of houseplants, and spending time outdoors making memories with her family.