About Our Practice

About Our Practice

Orange Pediatric Therapy (OPT)offers a multitude of therapeutic programs that uniquely meet you and your family’s needs.

OPT was designed specifically for children and adolescents of all ages and abilities.  We feature three main therapy areas to include physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (ST).  Our physical therapy gym has a full array of exercise equipment biomechanically designed to fit children as well as a 32 foot long rock climbing wall.  In addition, our physical therapy space has a baby-friendly room and a private treatment room.  Our occupational therapy space features two sensory gyms and two fine motor rooms.  The speech department boasts a number of individual treatment rooms.

Each therapeutic program is individually designed to meet the needs of our clients. Our professional staff has many years of experience working with children.

We serve the communities of Cheshire, Meriden, Hamden, Wallingford, Prospect, Waterbury, Southington, New Haven, Woodbridge, Durham, and surrounding counties.  We have facility locations in Cheshire, Meriden, and Orange Connecticut.

Please contact us if you have further questions regarding our services.

Craig is an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University, Department of Physical Therapy.

About the Owner

Craig graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a Master’s degree in physical therapy in 1996.  He opened Cheshire Fitness Zone in 2001. Craig has dedicated close to 20 years offering therapy services to children of all abilities.  In addition to owning Cheshire Fitness Zone, Craig is a Part Time Faculty Member in the Department of Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac University.  Craig specializes in working with children of all abilities including developmental delay, neurological impairments, torticollis, sports injuries, and seating and positioning.

Learn more about our extraordinary team!

Frequently Asked Questions

Our therapists and staff are here to serve your child’s needs and support the family. Below is a list of commonly asked questions on our office procedures and policies. Select the +/- signs to expand and contract the question of interest. If you don’t see an answer to what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Most major insurances are accepted. However, insurance participation does vary from one therapy to the next. Please see our Insurance Plans section for a complete listing of accepted insurances by therapy category.

The evaluating therapist will meet with you and your child in the beginning of the evaluation session to obtain patient information relevant to treatment. Parent concerns will also be discussed at this time. Once all relevant information is received, the therapist will begin the evaluation process. Evaluation testing may be standardized, function based or a combination of the two depending upon your child’s needs. At the end of the evaluation period, the therapist will discuss initial findings with you. Once the documentation is completed, the therapist will send a copy of the findings to your referring physician. A copy of the evaluation can also be made available to you upon request.

Generally, your doctor will write a prescription for therapy. At the time of your initial appointment, you should bring your child’s prescription as well as his/her insurance card. You will be asked to fill out some paperwork prior to your child being seen.  Check out our New Client Forms section for more detailed information.
For your convenience you can access our New Client Forms for easy download, printing and completion prior to your visit to save you time.
We do offer services at an out of pocket cost.  Please checkout the Insurance Plans we do accept, or contact us for current out of pocket rates.
Our therapists generally treat clients from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm, Monday-Friday, and 8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, although this does vary by location.  Morning hours do vary depending on individual therapist schedules as well as during school vacations.  Read more about our hours of operation by location.
Our primary facility is located in Cheshire but have a satellite location in Meriden and Orange, as well.  We also offer several therapy options throughout schools in the surrounding communities for your convenience.  Obtain address and/or directions to our different locations.

What Clients Are Saying

Cheshire Fitness Zone has been absolutely wonderful for my family. All of the staff and therapists treat the children with respect and truly care about their development. The therapists are always available to ask questions and are extremely knowledgeable. The front desk staff alway works to accommodate our schedule and are always friendly and kind. I always refer Cheshire Fitness Zone to other families who are looking for services for their children.
Anonymous
Cheshire Fitness Zone provides staff at our school that understands the role of related service providers in educational settings, meet the educationally related needs of the students, and communicate well with faculty, staff, and parents. They exhibit a high degree of professionalism and state of the art physical therapy.
Anonymous
From the moment you check in at the front desk to your discussion with your therapist at the end of the session, you feel at home, respected, and in great hands. The improvements you will see in your child will say it all.
Melissa Linehan
Cheshire Fitness Zone has tremendously helped not only our two children receiving services, but our entire family. The atmosphere in the clinic is friendly, supportive, and understanding. Their office staff is amazing and accommodates each family’s schedule and needs. Our children receive speech, OT, and PT services. Every one of the therapists they have worked with has been wonderful and our children have made incredible progress. The kids also love going to all of their therapy sessions because the therapists make each and every session fun and exciting. We are so fortunate to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone and recommend it to any family looking for services for their children.
Delia Falcon (Special Education Teacher)
My son has greatly benefited from OT and PT at Cheshire Fitness Zone. The therapists are so patient and knowledgeable. The facility is also very impressive and fun. We look forward to seeing our son progress as we continue therapy.
Anonymous
My girls have been going to Cheshire Fitness Zone since the summer of 2015 and the therapy they receive from their therapist is the best therapy they have ever received. The therapists are the friendliest and nicest group of therapists we have ever met. The girls enjoy going to therapy and I am very happy that we go to Cheshire Fitness Zone.
Anonymous
Thank you for teaching me everything I know about OT and sensory diets. You go above and beyond for our students and we really appreciate all that you have given us.
Mike Tyler (Director at High Roads School)
I am so happy we found Cheshire Fitness Zone. This is just what my son needs. His school also heard of you guys and said great things. I’m happy to know he is in good hands.
Anonymous
As a physical therapist at Cheshire Fitness Zone, I have seen firsthand the positive impact therapy services have had on so many children and their families. We are very family-oriented at Cheshire Fitness Zone and are constantly working with our families to help reach their goals for their children. It is an extremely rewarding feeling to see a child learn mobility skills that they were unable to perform prior to starting therapy services. The staff at Cheshire Fitness Zone is dedicated to providing the best care possible for all the children that they work with.
Anonymous
Both of our sons have participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapy at Cheshire Fitness Zone. We make the forty minute trek to Cheshire three times per week because the therapists are like none other we have encountered. Our sons (4 and 5 years old) have received therapy since birth and I was so pleased to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone. Both of my kids have been challenged and nurtured by the therapists. They are so amazing with the kids and I am thankful for their dedication.
Katy Blanchette

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