Amy Zier & Associates

I recently had the pleasure of working with Karen Dilfer & Amy for my daughter's tube weaning process, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional care we received. From our very first appointment, Amy & Karen were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly compassionate. They took the time to thoroughly explain the entire weaning process, addressing all of our concerns and ensuring that we felt comfortable every step of the way. Amy & Karen Dilfer tailored a specific plan for my daughter, making adjustments as needed based on her progress and reactions. Their patience and encouragement made a significant difference in both my daughter's experience and our family's overall well-being. What stood out the most was Karen Dilfer & Amy’s dedication to creating a positive and supportive environment. They celebrated our small victories and provided us with practical tips and resources that empowered us as parents. Thanks to their expertise and guidance, my daughter is now thriving without the tube, and we are so grateful for their help. I highly recommend Karen Dilfer & Amy to any parent navigating the challenges of tube weaning. Their professionalism, empathy, and commitment to patient care are truly remarkable. Thank you for making this journey a little easier for us!

My now 9 year old started OT the summer before he started kindergarten and it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for him. We are so thankful that we found Amy Zier. He thrived in their environment and his sessions quickly became his favorite part of the week. We’ve seen several therapists and they were all wonderful. He participated in their summer camp for 2 or 3 summers in a row and loved it. We even signed up for their one-on-one bike camp one year and they got him riding his bike right away! Over the years our primary therapist was Sophia Mendoza and she is just amazing. She truly became like part of the family and we were all actually sad when it was time to phase out of weekly sessions! If your child gets the chance to work with her, consider yourself truly lucky!

Our whole family loves Amy Zier & Associates. We started coming here to help my son learn more about body awareness and body regulation, but our experience has actually benefited my husband and I just as much with everything we have learned. We knew nothing about OT when we started, but I'm so glad we found this place and have seen first-hand the wide range of benefits that OT can provide kids. We've worked with Kathy and Karen, who are absolutely wonderful. Our 6 year old loves the space (it is a house that has been converted into several amazing rooms where kids can explore, jump, swing, dress up, write, draw, build, play games, etc. - there's a ton of play based, fun options depending on the kiddo's needs and interests.) We all look forward to going every week and are so grateful to Kathy and Karen for sharing their resources and expertise.

We have been working with OT Karen Dilfer on tube weaning our son for the past few weeks. Less that three weeks after starting with Karen, our son (who was eating nothing by mouth) is receiving all his nutrition by mouth! We are thrilled and amazed! Karen is wonderful to work with, and even though we live 2 hours from her we have been able to meet via zoom, which has been really convenient. Karen has great ideas to help kids eat better by mouth, and she is extremely knowledgeable with tube weaning. I would HIGHLY recommend her!

Amy Zier and Assoc. has been a true life saver for me and my son who has some developmental delays! I absolutely love the floor time model that this practice applies, where the children are brought into their natural environment of "PLAY". I do not know what I would have done without Katie guiding me along the way; she is always available, willing, and completely comforting as my young son continues to grow and change. I am truly lucky to have landed upon such a open and welcoming practice right in the heart of Lincoln Park. They are the premier pediatric OT practice in Chicago...period!!

AZ&A is a Paradise for kids. It is also a tremendous resource, support and relief for parents. We were skeptical in the beginning as we did not believe that a play-based method that is fun, actually works. Three years later, our kids – almost 8 and 4.5-year-old- are so much better off with AZ&A than without. AZ&A has helped us get to know our kids and ourselves as parents as well as it has been one of the most impactful support systems in our family life. The leaders and the counselors are beyond amazing and feel a part of our family. I am forever grateful to the wonderful spirit who introduce me to AZ&A and said, “there is a better way”, try AZA – the hidden gem of Lincoln Park for kids and parents. We plan to continue for as long as we can.

I'd like to spend a few minutes writing about Karen Dilfer, one of the OTs at Amy Zier Occupational Therapy. We worked with Karen for a little over a year doing feeding therapy for my daughter. There are simply not enough words to express how patient, kind, and caring Karen is. When we first started working with Karen, my 15 month daughter was barely able to swallow solid food. A GI had recommended a gtube; however, as an alternative to the gtube, someone had recommended OT and Karen. Karen took a thoughtful and individualized approach to my daughter's care. She patiently worked with Mia each week, while partnering with our GI and pediatrician on the best plan for my daughter. With Karen's support, after a year of working together, my daughter was able to chew and swallow food. I can't think of my daughter's successful development without thinking about Karen. Not only did Karen work closely with Mia, but she also listened to my concerns, answered my questions, and always offered a thoughtful plan of action. If you are able to get an appointment with Karen, consider yourself lucky because there is no occupational therapist better.

This is the only clinic I would choose for my kids. Also, the only emotional & play-based clinic that I know of in the Chicago area - and in such a unique space! The staff are amazing & genuinely care for & connect with the children, making them feel safe & loved, while also encouraging their growth! As a nanny, I really appreciate Amy Zier's mission to include & educate all caregivers to coordinate care - it makes such a difference. I have personally learned so much! , especially the DIR method (& incorporated it with all my children) I've personally witnessed so much growth in the little ones <3 5 stars