MADE in Lake County: Therapeutic Links

MADE is a paid partnership with Little Lake County.

Welcome to MADE in Lake County! MADE introduces you to the people and stories behind local Lake County businesses. Today it is our pleasure to introduce you to Tracy Lyndon from Therapeutic Links, pediatric occupational therapy.

Tracy Lyndon has a passion for working with children that was visible the moment I met her. She lives in Antioch with her husband and three children (ages 6, 4, and 1 ), while she also manages to own her business. She is an Occupational Therapist and owner of Therapeutic Links Pediatric Occupational Therapy, which has recently started offering OT in the Gymnastics Setting. She has combined the benefits of gymnastics within an individualized occupational therapy structure. I recently sat down with her to learn more about her life and growing businesses.

Most people don’t really know much about occupational therapy. Can you give us a brief description?

Occupational therapy essentially uses everyday activities (i.e., occupations or directed play in children) to help build physical, emotional, and cognitive skills. We see children with a range of challenges, including behavioral issues, learning disabilities, lack of coordination or balance, sensory processing dysfunction, autism, ADHD, physical disabilities, and more. Our therapy focuses on sensory integration, daily living activities (dressing, feeding, hygiene, and other self-care skills), gross and fine motor coordination, arm and trunk strengthening, school skills, handwriting, social skills, and transitioning between activities. We use play as a vehicle for therapeutic exercise along with specialized therapeutic approaches to target skill areas. 

Tell me more about OT in the Gymnastics Setting?

It incorporates occupational therapy into a one-on-one gymnastics setting to build both large and small motor skills, confidence, and self-help skills. We combine social interaction, sensory integration, strengthening, coordination, sequencing, and following directions to help children achieve new skills and have fun at the same time.

What is the difference between what you do in OT gymnastics and a traditional gymnastics class?

While we are both using a gymnastics facility, the similarities end there. Our program is tailored to each child and therapy based rather than skill-based. While gymnastics skills are inevitably built in the process, we are working on the whole child, just in a gymnastics setting rather than at home or in a traditional facility.

This is such a unique business offering, tell me how it came about?

My office manager and friend Sharon came to me one day with this idea, and I quickly realized that there was a strong need and nobody to fill that need in this area.

What would you say to a family who is curious about occupational therapy and wondering if it will help their child?

We offer a free 15 minute screening and questionnaire to all of our potential clients to help identify areas of development and whether occupational therapy could help build those skills. It never hurts to ask.

How do you manage to balance being a mom to three children, a therapist, and a business owner?

First off, I have an amazing husband who truly partners with me to parent our children. He is a teacher, so his schedule, especially in the summer, enables him to care for the kids when I am swamped. Also, I work in the office three days a week, allowing me to spend the rest of the time with my children, still working, of course, but taking them along with me while I work. I also enjoy spending time on the chain with friends to unwind and have fun.

Do you miss the days when you were an occupational therapist without the added stress of running a business?

I became an occupational therapist because I love working with kids, and I am very passionate about what I do. While I still do therapy, it is much less frequent while building my business and nurturing my own children. I am fortunate to have amazing therapists and office management on my staff that I can trust.

Is it a challenge to parent and be an occupational therapist; are you able to turn it off and be a mom?

It is a definite challenge. It’s a tremendous asset to have the experience that I have. Still, I also learned to stop myself when I am spending too much time analyzing my children’s development to enjoy being a mom rather than always being a therapist.

Therapeutic Links

(847) 548-3458 | [email protected]
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OT In a gymnastics setting is currently offered at Ultimate Gymnastics.

Meet other local businesses that are MADE in Lake County!

By Kristy K.
Round Lake

Kristy is the mother of two young children, who join in her quest for unique restaurants, fun places to play and a little personal sanity in the process. She does her best to teach her children healthy habits, kindness, compassion and a love of nature while also learning that sometimes we need to let go of our ideals in the name of fun.

Disclosure: Therapeutic Links is our featured Business of the Month. This series is part of a paid promotion partnership with Little Lake County.  If you are interested in featuring your locally-owned business in our series, please contact the sales team.