Greenville Pediatric Therapy

Immediate Hope and a Clear Path Forward in the Upstate

Your Child’s Potential is Our Passion. Pediatric Therapy in Greenville, SC with No Waiting List.

At Carolina Behavioral Innovation, we provide compassionate, play-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational, and Speech therapy designed to help your child thrive. We offer flexible scheduling, no minimum hours, and immediate openings to support your family right when you need it.

For a parent, receiving a diagnosis or recognizing that a child needs support can be an overwhelming experience, often followed by the stressful and disheartening process of searching for quality care only to be met with long waiting lists. This delay can feel like a significant barrier when early intervention is so crucial. Carolina Behavioral Innovation was founded on the principle that when your family needs help, you deserve it now. Our commitment to maintaining immediate openings for new families in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson is a direct response to this critical need, ensuring that your child’s journey toward progress can begin without delay.  

The Carolina Behavioral Innovation Philosophy: Playful, Personalized, and Purpose-Driven Care

We believe therapy shouldn’t feel like work; it should feel like play, discovery, and connection. This core belief shapes every interaction and every session at Carolina Behavioral Innovation. Our approach is fundamentally client-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in the unwavering values of integrity and honesty. We see the whole child—their unique personality, their strengths, and their interests—and build a therapeutic plan around them.  

A common concern we hear from parents is, “Do you make my child sit at a desk?”. Our answer is a resounding no. Our brand personality is playful, goal-driven, individualized, and naturalistic, which translates into therapy that happens on the floor with building blocks, in our sensory gym on a swing, or in the familiar comfort of your own home or your child’s school. We harness the power of a child’s natural curiosity and motivation, turning therapeutic activities into engaging games that build skills while fostering a love for learning and interaction.  

As a locally owned and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) owned practice, we are not a national chain; we are members of the Greenville community, deeply invested in the well-being of the families we serve. This unique position allows us to be exceptionally flexible and responsive, creating truly individualized programs that honor your child’s needs and your family’s circumstances.  

Our Integrated Therapeutic Services in Greenville

A Collaborative Approach to Unlocking Your Child’s Potential

A child’s development is not compartmentalized, and their therapy shouldn’t be either. At Carolina Behavioral Innovation, we offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech-Language Therapy (ST) under one roof, creating a powerful, integrated support system for your child. This multidisciplinary model is a significant advantage over navigating multiple, disconnected providers. Our therapists collaborate closely, sharing insights and reinforcing goals across disciplines to support the “whole child”.  

For example, a child working on fine motor skills in Occupational Therapy to better grasp objects may simultaneously work with a Speech-Language Pathologist to name those objects, and with an ABA therapist to learn how to request them. This synergy accelerates progress, ensures consistency, and leads to more comprehensive and lasting outcomes. Our team works in conjunction with the child’s family, physician, and school to extend all therapies into the child’s natural environments and maintain a seamless continuum of care.  

Therapy at a Glance

Navigating the world of pediatric therapy can be confusing. To help your family understand the distinct and complementary roles of our services, we have created this simple guide. It is designed to clarify the primary goals of each therapy and empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your child.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Primary Goal: Improving communication, social skills, and daily living skills by understanding and modifying behavior.

We help your child by teaching new skills through positive reinforcement, creating personalized strategies for learning, and reducing challenging behaviors.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Primary Goal: Building independence in everyday activities (“occupations”) like playing, learning, and self-care.

We help your child by Developing fine motor skills (writing, buttons), gross motor skills (balance, coordination), and managing sensory responses to the environment.

Speech-Language Therapy (ST)

Primary Goal: Enhancing all forms of communication, from speaking and understanding to social interaction and feeding.

We help your child by improving articulation (clear speech), building vocabulary, developing conversational skills, and addressing feeding/swallowing challenges.

Conditions We Support in the Upstate Community

Our dedicated team of therapists is trained and experienced in providing support for a wide range of developmental challenges. We create a safe, encouraging environment where children with various diagnoses can build skills, gain confidence, and reach their full potential. We are proud to serve children in the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson communities who are navigating:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)  
• Developmental Delays  
• Speech and Language Delays or Disorders  
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech  
• Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)  
• ADHD-Related Behavioral Challenges  
• Social Communication and Pragmatic Language Difficulties  
• Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skill Delays  
• Genetic Syndromes (e.g., Down Syndrome)  
• Difficulties with Self-Care and Daily Living Skills  
• Learning Disabilities  
• Coordination and Balance Problems  

In-Depth Exploration of Our Core Therapies

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

What is ABA Therapy? A Path to Learning and Growth

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association as a best practice for individuals with autism. At its core, ABA is the science of learning and behavior. It focuses on understanding how behavior works and how it is affected by the environment. The goal of ABA therapy is to increase helpful behaviors (like communication, social interaction, and self-care skills) and decrease behaviors that are harmful or interfere with learning. This is achieved by breaking down complex skills into small, manageable steps and using positive reinforcement—rewarding a child for each step they master—to motivate learning and build confidence.  

The CBI Approach: ABA Therapy That Looks and Feels Like Play

At Carolina Behavioral Innovation, we practice a modern, naturalistic form of ABA that is goal-driven yet playful. We move beyond the outdated perception of rigid, drill-based therapy. Our sessions are dynamic, engaging, and centered on the child’s own interests and motivations. This approach, often involving methods like Incidental Teaching and Pivotal Response Training, integrates learning into the natural flow of play and daily routines.  

For example, if a child is fascinated by toy cars, our therapist won’t interrupt their play for a separate “lesson.” Instead, they will join the child on the floor and use the cars to teach vital skills. They might model language (“fast car,” “blue car”), work on turn-taking (“my turn, your turn”), practice counting the wheels, or encourage the child to verbally request “more cars.” This makes learning meaningful and fun, ensuring the child is an active, joyful participant in their own progress.  

Who Benefits from ABA in the Greenville Area?

ABA therapy can be life-changing for a wide range of children and families in the Upstate. It is highly effective for:

• Toddlers and Preschoolers (ages 2-6): Early intervention with ABA is highly effective. It can help young children develop foundational communication skills, learn to follow directions, improve toilet training, and prepare them for success in preschool and beyond.  
• School-Aged Children: For older children, ABA can address more complex challenges, such as teaching advanced social skills, improving academic performance, fostering daily living skills for greater independence, and providing strategies to manage problem behaviors.  
• Children with Significant Communication Needs: ABA provides powerful tools, including the Verbal Behavior (VB) approach, to help non-verbal or minimally verbal children find ways to communicate their wants and needs, significantly reducing frustration.  

A Glimpse into an ABA Session

An ABA session with CBI is a dynamic and positive experience. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) first conducts a thorough assessment and collaborates with the family to design a personalized program. Then, a highly-trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) works directly with your child to implement the plan. A session might take place in our Greenville clinic’s play-based environment, in the comfort of your home, or even at your child’s school to help generalize skills. The therapist continuously collects data to measure progress, allowing the BCBA to make real-time adjustments to the plan, ensuring the therapy remains effective and tailored to your child’s evolving needs.  

Occupational Therapy (OT)

What is Pediatric OT? Building Skills for a Confident Life

Pediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) helps children gain independence and thrive in all areas of their lives. The “occupations” of childhood are playing, learning, and growing; OT focuses on helping children succeed in these essential “jobs”. Occupational therapists are experts in child development who help children build the skills they need for daily living, from the playground to the classroom. Therapy often focuses on improving fine motor skills (e.g., holding a pencil, buttoning a shirt), gross motor skills (e.g., running, jumping, balance), visual-perceptual skills, cognitive skills, and sensory processing abilities. The ultimate goal is to empower children to participate fully in school, at home, and in their community, boosting their confidence and self-esteem along the way.  

Our Approach: Fostering Independence Through Purposeful Play

Our occupational therapists are masters at turning therapeutic activities into purposeful play. A session might look like a fun-filled adventure, but every activity is carefully chosen to target specific developmental goals. We utilize a wide range of techniques and tools in our sensory-rich clinic environment to keep children motivated and engaged. This can include:  

• Building obstacle courses to improve balance, coordination, and motor planning.  
• Playing with therapeutic putty, beads, or puzzles to develop fine motor strength and dexterity.  
• Swinging or bouncing on large exercise balls to provide vestibular input that helps with regulation and body awareness.  
• Engaging in a “sensory diet,” which is a personalized plan of activities that provides the sensory input a child needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day.  

Signs Your Greenville Child Might Benefit from OT

If you’ve noticed your child struggling with certain daily tasks, OT may be able to help. Consider an evaluation if your child:

• Has difficulty with handwriting, using scissors, or manipulating small objects.  
• Struggles with dressing, using utensils, or other self-care tasks.  
• Appears clumsy, trips frequently, or has poor balance.  
• Avoids certain textures of food, clothing, or toys, or seems overly sensitive to sounds, lights, or touch.  
• Has trouble with focus, becomes easily overwhelmed in busy environments, or has difficulty regulating their emotions and behavior.  
• Seems to have a weak core or gets tired easily during physical activities.  

A Special Focus on Sensory Processing and Autism

For many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), challenges with sensory processing are a core part of their experience. They may be over-responsive (hypersensitive) or under-responsive (hyposensitive) to sensory input from their environment, leading to anxiety, discomfort, and challenging behaviors. Occupational therapy is a cornerstone treatment for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the sensory challenges associated with autism.  

Our OTs are highly trained in Sensory Integration (SI) therapy, a play-based approach that helps a child’s brain learn to process and organize sensory information more effectively. In our sensory gym, children engage in activities that provide specific types of sensory input—such as vestibular (movement), proprioceptive (deep pressure), and tactile (touch)—in a structured, therapeutic way. This can “rewire” the brain to better handle sensory input, leading to improved focus, emotional regulation, and participation in daily life. Interventions may include the use of specialized tools like weighted vests, therapeutic brushing protocols (like the Wilbarger protocol), and creating sensory-friendly modifications at home and school.  

Speech and Language Therapy (ST)

What is Speech Therapy? The Power of Finding Your Voice

Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy helps children develop the skills needed to communicate effectively, which is fundamental to learning, forming relationships, and expressing their unique personality. A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), or speech therapist, evaluates and treats a wide range of communication challenges. This goes far beyond just correcting lisps; our SLPs work on:  

• Articulation: The physical production of speech sounds so that a child can be clearly understood by others.  
• Receptive Language: A child’s ability to understand words and language.  
• Expressive Language: A child’s ability to use words to express thoughts and ideas, including vocabulary and grammar.  
• Fluency: Addressing issues like stuttering, where the flow of speech is interrupted.  
• Social Communication (Pragmatics): The social rules of language, such as taking turns in conversation, understanding nonverbal cues, and making friends.  
• Feeding and Swallowing: Helping children who have difficulty chewing, swallowing, or are extremely picky eaters due to oral-motor or sensory challenges.  

Our Approach: Joyful Communication Through Connection

Our speech therapy sessions are designed to be fun, engaging, and built on a foundation of trust and connection between the therapist and child. We use play-based activities, picture books, games, and technology to stimulate language development in a way that feels natural and motivating. Our therapists are trained in various specialized techniques to meet the unique needs of each child, including the Hanen approach for empowering parents of early language learners, and the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems—from simple picture boards to high-tech devices—to give every child a voice.  

Is Speech Therapy Right for My Child?

It can be difficult for parents to know if their child’s development is on track. A speech and language evaluation may be beneficial if you find yourself asking these questions:

• Is my child’s speech often difficult for friends, family, or teachers to understand?  
• Does my child use fewer words or shorter sentences than other children their age?  
• Does my child struggle to follow directions, answer questions, or participate in conversations?  
• Does my child get frustrated when trying to communicate their wants and needs?  
• Does my child have difficulty making friends or interacting appropriately with peers?  
• Is mealtime a constant struggle due to picky eating, gagging, or difficulty chewing and swallowing?  

Comprehensive Support for Your Family and Community

Empowering Parents and Caregivers in the Upstate

At Carolina Behavioral Innovation, we know that therapy is most effective when it extends beyond our clinic walls. You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and our mission includes empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to support their development every day. We offer dedicated Parent Training and Behavioral Support Consultation services designed to equip you with practical, effective strategies to use at home.  

During these sessions, our therapists work collaboratively with you to understand your family’s unique challenges and goals. We provide hands-on training, model techniques, and create customized plans to help you manage challenging behaviors, encourage communication, and integrate therapeutic activities into your daily routines. This partnership ensures that the progress your child makes in therapy is reinforced and generalized to the home environment, leading to more significant and lasting change. Your role is vital, and we are here to be your partners, coaches, and biggest supporters on this journey.  

Partnering with Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson Schools

A child’s success depends on a consistent and supportive environment across all settings. That is why Carolina Behavioral Innovation is proud to partner with schools and daycare centers throughout the Upstate. We offer both in-school therapy services and teacher behavioral support training to create a seamless bridge between the clinic and the classroom.  

Our therapists can provide direct ABA, Occupational, or Speech therapy within your child’s school, allowing for collaboration with educators and the opportunity to work on skills in the very environment where they are most needed. Additionally, we provide training and consultation for teachers, giving them evidence-based tools and strategies to support students with developmental disabilities in their classrooms. This collaborative approach ensures that everyone on your child’s team is working together, using consistent language and strategies to foster academic, social, and behavioral growth.  

The Carolina Behavioral Innovation Difference

Why Upstate Families Choose Us: The Local, Flexible, and Accessible Choice

Choosing a therapy provider is one of the most important decisions a family can make. In a market with large hospital systems and national chains, Carolina Behavioral Innovation offers a distinct, refreshing alternative. We are built to be different, with a model designed around the real-world needs of families in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson. Here are our commitments to you:  

• No Waiting Lists: We believe that when your family needs help, you deserve it immediately. The anxiety of waiting months for an appointment is a burden no parent should have to bear. We intentionally manage our caseloads to ensure we have immediate openings, so your child can begin making progress right away.  
• No Minimum Hours: Every child’s needs are unique, and so is every family’s schedule. We reject the one-size-fits-all model. Our team works with you to create a therapy plan with a frequency and duration that is clinically appropriate for your child and manageable for your family, without rigid, predetermined hourly requirements.  
• Individualized, Play-Based Therapy: Your child is not a diagnosis; they are a unique individual with their own personality, passions, and strengths. Our “playful, goal-driven, and naturalistic” approach means we design therapy that is not only effective but also joyful and engaging, honoring what makes your child special. 
• Locally & BCBA-Owned: We are not a faceless corporation. We are a local, therapist-owned practice founded and led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. This means our decisions are driven by clinical excellence and a deep understanding of the science of therapy, not by corporate metrics. We live here, we work here, and we are passionately committed to the well-being of our Upstate community.