Serial Casting in Orland Park, IL (South)
14711 S Ravinia Ave
Orland Park, IL 60462
708-358-6973
orlandsouth@westsidect.com
708-390-9350
8 AM-7 PM Mon-Fri
Westside Orland Park South is the only clinic in the region offering serial casting therapy—a specialized intervention led by Westside’s founder, Shari Cassidy—that brings expert care to children who need it most.
Beyond serial casting, our clinic offers comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, giving families clear, clinically rigorous answers across a range of pediatric diagnoses.
Pediatric Services Offered at Our Orland Park (South) Clinic
We provide comprehensive pediatric therapy services backed by specialized care to support every stage of your child’s development. Feel heard and supported as your child builds strength, confidence, and functional independence with child therapy in Orland Park South.
The Westside Way at Orland Park (South)
At our Orland Park (South) clinic, relationships come first. Our team takes the time to know your child, partner with your family, and celebrate every milestone along the way. You’ll find a collaborative team that brings genuine enthusiasm to every session and creates a place where kids are excited to walk through our doors.
-
Westside’s serial casting therapy helps children improve their mobility gently and effectively, and this is usually a part of broader child therapy in Orland Park South programs. We use a series of progressively adjusted casts to stretch tight muscles and improve joint range of motion.
Our experienced team guides children for 3-6 weeks and closely monitors each session to ensure comfort, safety, and meaningful progress. This approach is particularly beneficial for children with cerebral palsy because it:
- Corrects alignment
- Improves mobility and muscle length
- Reduces stiffness and the need for surgery
- Facilitates the use of braces or orthotics (AFOs)
-
Westside Children’s Therapy offers fast access to autism diagnostic testing with results in days, so Orland Park families can move forward with a clear plan rather than wait.
-
For families who need answers beyond an autism evaluation, Westside Orland Park South offers full neuropsychological assessments covering a range of diagnoses.
Why Parents Trust Westside Children’s Therapy in Orland Park (South)
Families seeking specialized pediatric care in Orland Park South want more than a general clinic. They want a team with deep expertise, advanced capabilities, and the kind of personalized attention that makes a real difference. At Westside Orland Park South, that combination is exactly what families find.
- Coordinated, Multidisciplinary Care: Our team brings together physical therapy and diagnostic expertise under one roof. Therapists collaborate closely so that every aspect of a child's care is connected and working toward the same goals.
- Decades of Clinical Experience: This location is led by some of Westside's most experienced clinicians. Families benefit from that depth of knowledge at every stage, from initial evaluation through ongoing therapy.
- Family-Focused Approach: Parents are involved throughout the process. We communicate clearly, explain our reasoning, and give caregivers the guidance they need to support their child's progress at home.
Start Your Child’s Serial Casting Therapy in Orland Park
1. Schedule a Consultation
Reach us at 708-358-6973 or submit a contact form, and we’ll walk you through what to expect.
2. Build Your Child’s Plan
Our therapists assess your child and design a serial casting program tailored to their specific needs.
3. Start Therapy
From the first session through the final cast, our team guides you every step of the way.
Meet Our Clinical Team
Bradford Czochara
Diagnostics
Bradford Czochara
Diagnostics
Bradford Czochara, Psy.D., ABN, LPC, CGP, earned his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University. He brings a strong clinical foundation to his work, with experience spanning neuropsychology and rehab psychology across the lifespan.
Bradford’s clinical interests include neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as providing individual psychotherapy and group therapy. He is committed to offering thoughtful, practical support tailored to each person’s needs and strengths.
Outside of his clinical work, Bradford enjoys music, video games, reading, and spending time with his family.
Emily Shearer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Diagnostics
Emily Shearer, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Diagnostics
Emily Shearer is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping children and families better understand their unique strengths and needs. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa and has extensive experience providing assessment and psychological services across a variety of clinical settings.
Throughout her career, Dr. Shearer has worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the Learning and Attention Disorders Clinic, Child and Adolescent Psychology, and the Center for Disabilities and Development. She has also provided services through University of Iowa Counseling Services, LittleStar ABA Therapy, and private practice.
Dr. Shearer specializes in the evaluation and diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that helps families gain clarity, access resources, and confidently move forward with the support their child needs.
Outside of work, Dr. Shearer enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, playing pickleball, and staying active through regular workouts.
Eun-Yeop Lee, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA
Diagnostics
Eun-Yeop Lee, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA
Diagnostics
Eun-Yeop Lee, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA, is a Massachusetts and Illinois licensed psychologist, PsyPACT-authorized psychologist, pediatric neuropsychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 10 years of experience in residential schools, hospitals, private practices, and therapy centers across several states.
Most recently, Dr. Lee served as a pediatric neuropsychologist at Northwestern Medicine’s Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and the Rush NeuroBehavioral Center. She is dedicated to understanding how neuropsychological profiles and medical conditions impact learning and behavior in children and adolescents.
Dr. Lee earned her doctorate in School Psychology from the University of South Florida, completed her internship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at The Watson Institute, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, and completed her postdoctoral training at McLean Hospital in Boston.
She has conducted comprehensive neuropsychological and educational evaluations for children with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, and other developmental concerns, providing families with individualized educational and behavioral recommendations. Since graduate school, Dr. Lee has been especially passionate about working with the Early Intervention population (birth to 3 years), with specialized interests in ASD diagnosis and training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).
Outside of work, Dr. Lee enjoys traveling, staying active through sports and fitness, and is currently improving her surfing and golfing skills.
Kara Steiskal, Psy.D
Diagnostics
Kara Steiskal, Psy.D
Diagnostics
Kara Steiskal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from DePaul University, as well as a Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois (License #071-022326) and began her clinical work as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) before expanding her role during doctoral training to include diagnostic assessment and therapy services across community mental health centers, schools, and multi-disciplinary practices.
Kara specializes in diagnostic assessments for children ages 2–16, providing diagnostic clarification for concerns such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders. She also offers individualized and family-centered feedback sessions to review results and share tailored recommendations and resources. In therapy, Kara works with children ages 5–17 and supports a range of concerns including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, restricted/avoidant food intake disorder, adjustment concerns, attachment disruptions, and school avoidance. She provides individual therapy, parent training and support, and family therapy, using an integrative approach that draws from cognitive and behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, and play therapy techniques.
Outside of work, Kara enjoys spending time with family and friends, spending time outdoors, cooking and baking, skin-care, and shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
-
What is serial casting and how does it help children?
Serial casting is a non-invasive, therapeutic method that gradually stretches tight muscles and improves children’s joint range of motion using a series of fiberglass casts, often used along with autism therapy for children in Orland Park South
when required. The technique helps children because it:- Helps them to stand, walk, and improve hand movements.
- Reduces muscle tension and provides consistent, regular stretching for contracted muscles.
- Corrects toe walking and encourages proper foot positioning.
Improves orthotic fit, allowing a better range of motion.
-
What ages are eligible for serial casting at Westside’s Orland Park (South) clinic?
Westside Children’s Therapy’s Orland Park (South) clinic offers serial casting for children from toddlers through adolescence, depending on their condition and needs. Specialists conduct clinical evaluations to determine eligibility, often in coordination with ABA therapy for children in Orland Park South, which is generally based on a specific diagnosis, the severity of motion loss, and joint tightness. An accurate diagnosis is important to improve muscle flexibility, alignment, and functional mobility.
-
How long does a serial casting session take?
Each serial casting session takes about 1 to 3 hours to remove the old cast, stretch the muscles, and apply a new one. However, the exact time depends on each child’s needs and tolerance within a program for child therapy in Orland Park South. Therapists generally schedule sessions weekly. However, the total treatment plan may take about three to six weeks to improve muscle length, monitor results, and adjust treatment accordingly.
-
Is serial casting painful for children?
Serial casting typically doesn’t cause pain, but it may cause slight discomfort or a stretching sensation as muscles slowly lengthen. The therapists take necessary measures to ensure the process is gentle and closely monitored to eliminate pain or skin conditions. They quickly address any sign of discomfort, ensuring the child’s safety, comfort, and support.
-
How many sessions are usually required for effective results?
At Westside Children’s Therapy, the total treatment time ranges from 4 weeks to 6 months, during which children can improve by 2 to 8 degrees per week. However, the exact number of serial casting sessions varies depending on the child’s joint stiffness, the severity of muscle tightness, and the overall treatment goals. Typically, children may require 4 to 8 weekly casting sessions to improve the range of motion. Based on progress, therapists adjust the plan to achieve steady, effective outcomes.
-
How do you monitor progress during serial casting therapy?
Our therapists monitor progress during serial casting therapy through regular assessments of joint range of motion, functional movement, and muscle tone. They evaluate improvements at each session before applying a new cast. Observations of the child’s mobility, comfort, and skin condition, along with carers’ feedback, also help make adjustments and ensure optimal results.