Dr. Laura Mraz’s vision, innovation, and dedication has redefined pediatric therapies for children with neurodiverse conditions and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A highly respected occupational therapist based in Chicago, Illinois and the founder of Eyas Landing, an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic; Blue Bird Day, a therapeutic preschool and kindergarten; and Merlin Day Academy, a fully accredited therapeutic school, her clinics are changing lives on a daily basis. Together, these three companies make up Three Birds One Mission.
A pioneer in the field of occupational therapy, Dr. Mraz’s was among the first to adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating professionals from various disciplines to develop comprehensive, personalized treatment plans. Today, this collaborative model is widely recognized as the most effective way to support children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental differences or delays. Dr. Mraz has been practicing this innovative approach for nearly two decades, well ahead of her peers.
“Autism spectrum disorder affects many areas of a child’s development such as communication, behavior, social skills, and daily routines. So, it’s essential to have a team of experts working together to create a personalized plan that addresses all the child’s unique needs, ensuring no aspect of their development is overlooked,” says Dr. Mraz.
Eyas Landing: A Heart of Support in Chicago
Founded in 2007 by Dr. Mraz, Eyas Landing is a leading multi-disciplinary clinic located in the West Loop of Chicago. Specializing in Sensory Integration, Early Intervention, and relationship-based therapy, the clinic has grown from a small space on Randolph Street to a 10,000-square-foot facility on Carroll Avenue. The clinic’s team is dedicated to providing evidence-based, effective therapies tailored to each child’s needs.
Expanding Support with Blue Bird Day and Merlin Day Academy
In 2014, Dr. Mraz opened Blue Bird Day, the first therapeutic preschool in the country designed specifically for children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental differences. With additional locations opened in Northcenter (2018) and Wheaton (2021), Blue Bird Day continues to provide specialized early childhood education and therapy in a nurturing environment.
To further support school-aged children, Merlin Day Academy was established in 2018. This fully accredited therapeutic school offers a supportive environment where children can thrive academically and socially, with a focus on their individual growth.
Committed to Your Child’s Success
All of these facilities employ evidence-based practices and a team of highly trained professionals who specialize in working with children with developmental delays and neurodiversity. They collaborate within a shared framework to develop and implement individualized intervention plans that typically include Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Behavior Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Social Workers. This comprehensive model acknowledges the complex, multifaceted nature of autism and emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts among specialists to address the diverse developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs of each child.
What Each Professional Does in a Multidisciplinary Approach
Speech therapists, also known as speech-language pathologists, play an essential role in improving communication abilities in children with autism. They focus on enhancing language development, speech articulation, social communication, and pragmatic language skills required for effective interaction. Interventions may include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, social stories, and structured language exercises, aimed at helping children express their needs, understand others, and participate more fully in social contexts. These strategies are particularly crucial given that communication deficits are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder and can significantly impact socialization and learning.
Occupational therapists concentrate on improving a child’s functional independence by addressing sensory processing difficulties, fine motor skills, and daily living activities. They utilize sensory integration therapy, motor planning exercises, and adaptive skill training to help children manage sensory overloads, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop self-care skills such as dressing, feeding, and grooming. By fostering independence and confidence in everyday activities, occupational therapy supports children’s participation in school and community settings, which is vital for their social and emotional development.
Behavior therapists employ evidence-based techniques, notably Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to modify challenging behaviors and reinforce adaptive skills. They develop individualized behavior intervention plans based on comprehensive assessments, focusing on reducing problematic behaviors such as aggression or self-injury, and promoting positive behaviors like social engagement and communication. These interventions are often implemented through structured teaching, reinforcement strategies, and skill acquisition programs. Collaboration with families is essential to ensure consistency across environments, which enhances the generalization and maintenance of learned skills.
Physical Therapists are here to help clients participate in age appropriate activities with peers, return to prior levels of function before any injury, and help each child meet their highest potential. Some evidenced-based techniques utilized by physical therapists include strengthening, stretching, neuromuscular re-education, orthotics assessment and management, motor planning and coordination training, postural correction and management, kinesiotaping and gait training.
Social Workers provide vital emotional and social support to children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. They conduct comprehensive assessments, offer counseling to address emotional challenges, and deliver social skills training to improve peer interactions. Additionally, social workers teach coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, and behavioral issues, fostering resilience and emotional regulation. They also assist families in understanding autism and navigating available services, which can alleviate stress and promote a supportive home environment conducive to the child’s development.
Benefits of Multi-Disciplinary Therapy
A multi-disciplinary therapeutic clinic team works together to create a complete picture of the child’s needs. Here are some key benefits of this approach:
Comprehensive Care: By bringing together various specialists, the clinic ensures that all aspects of a child’s development are addressed.
Individualized Plans: Each child receives a personalized plan that targets their specific needs and goals.
Collaborative Environment: Professionals work together, sharing insights and strategies to provide the best possible support.
Family Support: Families receive guidance and resources to help them support their child’s development at home.
Our Clinic’s Expertise
What sets our clinic apart is the unparalleled expertise and dedication of our multi-disciplinary team. Each member is not only highly trained in their respective fields but is also committed to continuous professional development and staying informed about the latest advancements in autism therapy.
Our behavior therapists are proficient in employing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques, which are widely recognized for their effectiveness in promoting positive behavioral changes.
Our speech therapists possess extensive experience in addressing communication challenges, utilizing a combination of traditional speech therapy and innovative augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods.
Moreover, our occupational therapists specialize in sensory integration therapy, helping children navigate sensory sensitivities and develop essential motor skills.
Our physical therapists are skilled in encouraging and motivating each child to participate in the appropriate activities to target their needs.
Our social workers are adept at providing emotional and mental health support, using evidence-based practices to address anxiety, depression, and social fears. This comprehensive expertise is complemented by our collaborative approach, ensuring that every child receives a cohesive and well-rounded therapeutic experience.
These professionals work in concert to create and implement individualized care plans that address the nuanced needs of each child. By leveraging their collective knowledge and skills, our team not only addresses the immediate developmental needs but also lays a foundation for long-term success and independence. This commitment to excellence and holistic care underscores our clinic’s reputation as a leading provider of autism therapy.
Our Collaborative Approach
Our clinic’s philosophy is a commitment to collaboration. We understand that the best outcomes for children with autism stem from a synergistic approach that harnesses the expertise of multiple specialists. Characterized by its holistic nature, addressing not just the clinical needs but also the emotional and social well-being of each child. Our team, composed of speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavior therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and other professionals, collaborates dynamically to ensure a cohesive and integrated therapeutic process.
Regular interdisciplinary meetings are a cornerstone of our collaborative approach. These meetings provide a platform for our professionals to share insights, review each child’s progress, and adjust therapeutic strategies as needed. By fostering an environment of open communication and shared knowledge, we ensure that each child’s care plan is not only comprehensive but also continuously evolving in response to their development.
Family involvement is another critical element of our collaboration. We believe in partnering with parents and guardians, valuing their insights and experiences as integral to the therapeutic process. This partnership extends to regular updates, collaborative goal-setting sessions, and training for parents to enable them to effectively support their child’s growth at home.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about how this team approach works, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you and your child every step of the way.
Learn More About My Programs
Blue Bird Day is a rotational therapy program structured like a preschool or kindergarten, but instead of teachers all our staff are therapists! This program is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation, and learning for children ages 2-7 and helps provide children the tools they need to succeed in a traditional classroom.
Eyas Landing is an outpatient therapy clinic that provides services for children ages 0-21. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists provide ABA, developmental, occupational, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy along with early intervention, social work, counseling, and neuropsychological testing at our West Loop clinic, in-home, at school, and virtually.
Merlin Day Academy is a therapeutic day school for children ages 6-14. Our proprietary model utilizes daily therapeutic and educational rotations to support children’s growth, learning, and their transition into the least restrictive environment possible.
