About
FOCUS is a top provider of pediatric therapy in Southwest Florida. Our services include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavior therapy/ABA, and feeding/swallowing therapy.
Our clients are kids with a broad range of disabilities, developmental delays, injuries, and other conditions.
We're proud to offer:
- Free Screenings
- Comprehensive Evaluations (including ADOS testing for autism)
- A one-stop-shop of customized therapies for children with a wide range of delays, disabilities and challenges at two convenient locations
- Flexible Scheduling
- Teletherapy
The CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates 1 in 6 children – or about 15 percent – between the ages 3 to 17 have one or more developmental disability or delay. Developmental disabilities are those conditions that arise from impairment of physical, learning, language or behavioral abilities.
Pervasive as these conditions are, local quality therapy services that meet your child’s individual needs aren't as plentiful as they should be. It is our privilege to offer these services, and we take our commitment to this community seriously.
Our therapy sessions are play-based because play is the language of children - and we believe therapy should be fun!
Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is available to answer any questions you may have.
Pediatric Therapy is Our Passion
At FOCUS, pediatric therapy is our passion. The relationships we build are what make us so proud to be part of this “FOCUS Family.” Our experienced therapists earn the confidence of parents and children and inspire them to see what’s possible.
Children we welcome into our clinic aren’t just special – they are exceptional. They deserve exceptional services. That’s our daily commitment.
Using proven clinical methods, our therapists offer sessions one-on-one – often several times weekly - tailored to suit each child’s individual goals. If one approach isn’t working, we keep trying until we find one that does. Accomplishments can be achieved over a period of months or years, depending on the nature and scope of the child’s challenges.
Who We Are
The FOCUS clinic is a fun space where children can explore, be challenged and learn at their own pace. Whether it’s diving into the sensory ball pit, stretching muscles on a swing, practicing handwriting in colorful crayons or carefully sounding out words while mastering a puzzle, FOCUS is always abuzz with positive energy.
Those who have worked any length of time in this field will tell you: That kind of atmosphere doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated.
Jennifer Voltz, a speech and language pathologist, founded FOCUS in 2016. Educated at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Voltz has worked in the field since 2004. Her early work in Southwest Florida was centered on geriatric speech therapy in skilled nursing facilities and home health care settings. She soon transitioned to pediatrics, starting in Lee County schools. In 2011, she founded J. Kru Therapy, LLC and co-founded SPOT Therapy Associates in Fort Myers. The practice thrived – evidence not only of the immense need for pediatric therapy in Southwest Florida, but also the quality of the therapy.
Voltz later branched out and founded FOCUS, recruiting highly-skilled therapists enthusiastic about working with children.
“When I’m looking to hire a therapist… I look for someone with whom I would trust my own kids,” Voltz said. “When someone really cares about these children, you can see it in their eyes. And the parents see that, and the children can feel it. … It’s genuine. That’s not something you can teach.”
In their own words, parents trust FOCUS because our therapists are “compassionate,” “patient” and “dedicated.” That’s part of why we’re so effective.
Collectively, our Fort Myers pediatric therapy providers have many decades of experience in helping children overcome hurdles to communication, movement, appropriate behavior and the functions of daily living.
One phrase you will hear over and over in our testimonials is “amazing.” It isn’t because we perform miracles. It’s because we care. We stay the course. We don’t give up. Through this process, we forge strong personal connections with every child and their family. It's what drives us, and it's a big part of why we see such outstanding results.
Our Clients
Children we work with have a wide range of conditions, including (but not limited to):
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Pervasive Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Down Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
- Hearing Loss
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Spinal Injuries
- Birth Injuries
- Head Injuries/ Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Stuttering Disorders
- Intellectual Disability
- Resonance and Cleft Palate
- Voice Disorders/ Vocal Cord Dysfunction
- Global Developmental Delay
A communication delay is the reason why 70 percent of 2- and 3-year-olds receive therapy. However, this can be related to numerous diagnoses.
Although each condition is fundamentally different, the one thing they have in common is optimal outcomes are best achieved through early intervention.
Early Intervention Therapy Works!
Some parents wonder whether it’s “too soon” to have their child screened for speech, occupational, physical or ABA therapy. They worry about how “labeling” might affect their child long-term.
The truth is, stigmas associated with developmental delays and disabilities are quickly vanishing. In certain cases, that “label” may be the key to unlocking access to necessary pediatric therapy services which, in the end, will minimize the impact of developmental delays and set kids up for long-term success. In any case, our pediatric therapy services will always remain confidential.
The sooner we intervene, the greater difference we can make. That’s because neural circuiting, which is the foundation for learning, behavior and health, is most elastic during a child’s first three years. Over time, neural pathways become increasingly difficult to re-route.
When our therapists introduce high-quality early intervention pediatric therapy services, we can shift a child’s developmental trajectory and improve outcomes not just for the child, but for the family and the community.
That said, we absolutely believe progress is possible at any age. The core purpose of our clinic is to help every child reach their greatest potential.