Fully mobile pediatric occupational & speech therapy serving Pembroke Pines and South Florida!

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Meet the Founder & Clinical Director

Hi, I’m Alexa Lavernia Empowering childhood independence from the heart.

I'm a licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist (MS, OTR/L) dedicated to personalized, intimate care for children across South Florida. At Paving Ways Therapy, we prioritize the brain first through joyful sensory integration, meeting your child right where they laugh, learn, and grow.

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Explore Therapy Services

  • Barry University MSOT

  • NBCOT Certified & FL Licensed

  • 100% In-Home & School Model

Alexa Lavernia, MS, OTR/L

Founder & Pediatric Clinical Director

Licensed & Registered

NBCOT Verification

Credential ID: 13e340b7
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The Paving Ways Philosophy

Sensory Integration: Prioritizing the Brain First, then Nurturing the Body & Skills.

When a child struggles to button a shirt, sit during circle time, or hold a pencil, the root is rarely just muscle or willpower. We look under the hood at sensory processing and neurological regulation, giving children the internal calm required for confidence to blossom.

Foundation Pillar 01

Brain First, Then Body & Skills

Before expecting fine motor precision or sustained classroom attention, a child's nervous system must feel organized and safe. We design therapeutic play around vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile regulation.
Neuro-Affirming Regulation

Foundation Pillar 01

Brain First, Then Body & Skills

Before expecting fine motor precision or sustained classroom attention, a child's nervous system must feel organized and safe. We design therapeutic play around vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile regulation.
Neuro-Affirming Regulation

Foundation Pillar 01

Brain First, Then Body & Skills

Before expecting fine motor precision or sustained classroom attention, a child's nervous system must feel organized and safe. We design therapeutic play around vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile regulation.
Neuro-Affirming Regulation
Paving Ways

— Alexa Lavernia, MS, OTR/L

“One year ago, I took the leap to start Paving Ways Therapy to provide families the unhurried, heartfelt therapy experience they truly deserve.”

Academic & Clinical Background

Over 4+ Years of Dedicated Pediatric Experience Across Developmental Diversities

Holding a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Barry University in Miami Shores, Alexa's clinical journey spans the entire developmental continuum — from premature infants and toddlers navigating developmental milestones to school-age children and young adults mastering daily executive function.

Prior to launching Paving Ways Therapy Services, Alexa saw how conventional outpatient therapy networks often pushed high caseloads, cookie-cutter clinical drills, and minimal parent communication. Paving Ways was founded on the opposite premise: intentional, joyful, and tailored therapy that integrates naturally into the family's daily lifestyle.

  • Sensory Modulation

    Over-reactivity, sensory-seeking, emotional self-regulation & calming techniques.

  • Fine Motor & Handwriting

    Pencil grasp, scissor mechanics, bilateral hand integration & pre-writing confidence.

  • Visual-Motor & Play Skills

    Hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, puzzle solving, and creative social play.

  • Self-Care & Daily Living (ADLs)

    Dressing, buttons, zippers, shoe tying, grooming, and bedtime routines.

Higher Education

Master of Science (MSOT)

Barry University College of Nursing & Health Sciences

National Certification

OTR/L Certified

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

State Licensure

Florida Board of Medicine

Active Licensed Occupational Therapist, State of Florida

South Florida Cultural Care

English & Spanish Speaking

Comfortable therapeutic communication in your family's primary language.

Concierge Care Experience

Your Family’s Seamless Pathway Forward

We take the stress out of pediatric therapy with convenient, supportive, and communicative care at every milestone.

Step 01

15-Min Free Phone Intake

Speak directly with Alexa. We discuss your child's daily routines, sensory sensitivities, school feedback, and family goals to see if mobile OT is the ideal fit.
No referral required to start
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Step 02

Natural Setting Assessment

Alexa visits your home or school to evaluate your child in their real environment, assessing sensory responses, fine motor skills, and self-care independence.
Thorough & gentle observation

Step 03

Custom Sensory & Play Plan

We design a customized plan with clear, achievable goals. You will always know what we are targeting and why, with actionable ideas for home practice.
Clear milestone tracking

Step 04

Joyful Sessions & Carryover

Play-infused therapy sessions with ongoing caregiver debriefs. We coordinate with preschool and Montessori teachers to ensure unified progress everywhere.
Ongoing parent coaching

Caregiver Clarity

Common Questions Parents Ask Alexa

Entering pediatric therapy shouldn't feel intimidating. Here are transparent answers to help you take the first step.

What age groups does Paving Ways work with?

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Alexa works with children across all pediatric development stages, from newborns (tummy time tolerance, torticollis, developmental positioning) to toddlers, school-age kids (handwriting, classroom regulation, coordination), and young adults working on practical executive functioning and life skills.

Why choose in-home and school visits over a clinical clinic?

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When children learn skills in clinical rooms with specialized swings and artificial obstacles, they often struggle to carry those breakthroughs home. By practicing in the child's natural environment — their actual bedroom, stairs, dining chair, or school desk — the progress sticks immediately, and parents can see exactly how to support them between sessions.

What is meant by “Prioritizing the Brain First”?

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Sensory integration addresses how your child receives and processes information from their senses (touch, sound, balance, muscle feedback). If a child feels overwhelmed or under-stimulated neurologically, higher-level motor skills (like writing or using utensils) become exhausting. By organizing the nervous system first, skill acquisition becomes natural, joyful, and lasting.

Do I need a doctor’s prescription to begin with a consultation?

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You do not need a referral or prescription to book our complimentary 15-minute introductory phone call or an initial developmental screening. For formal therapy sessions, we will happily coordinate with your pediatrician to obtain any necessary documentation to keep all medical records aligned.
  • Free 15-Minute Pediatric Intake

Take the First Step: Book Your Free 15-Minute Parent Intake Call

Schedule a complimentary, zero-pressure phone consultation with our clinical directors. We’ll discuss your child’s milestones, explain our in-home model, and map out a gentle roadmap forward.

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  • 100% HIPAA Compliant
  • Licensed FL DOH & ASHA Therapists
  • Rapid 24-48 Hour Clinical Intake