New Pediatric OT Clinic for Children with Autism and Developmental Delays Opens in Myrtle Beach

Kidz With Abilities marks its grand opening with a ribbon cutting through the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, bringing specialized play-based occupational therapy to Grand Strand families.

A new pediatric occupational therapy clinic has officially opened its doors in Myrtle Beach, marking a meaningful addition to the health and wellness resources available to families across the Grand Strand. Kidz With Abilities, which specializes in supporting children with autism and all types of developmental delays and challenges, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

The clinic is led by founder and program coordinator Valerie, a pediatric occupational therapist with more than a decade of hands-on experience in the field. Her approach centers on personalized, play-based therapy — working with each child according to their individual diagnosis, development, and goals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

The clinic’s services address a wide range of developmental needs, including fine motor skill development, sensory integration, daily living activities, and school readiness. Therapists work with children both at the clinic and in the home, tailoring each session to target the specific areas where a child needs support — whether that involves feeding challenges and aversions, gross and visual motor skills, social interaction, or emotional regulation.

Beyond the standard clinical setting, Kidz With Abilities also offers two distinctive therapy formats that set it apart in the Myrtle Beach market. Equine-assisted therapy uses the natural movement of horses to provide children with sensory input while engaging them in purposeful activity — targeting areas such as social interaction, muscle tone, and attention and problem-solving skills. Aquatic therapy, meanwhile, takes advantage of the properties of water to support sensory processing, balance, coordination, and muscle tone in ways that can be difficult to replicate on land.

The ribbon cutting was facilitated by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, which has served as the collective voice for business in the Grand Strand region since 1938 and regularly hosts grand opening ceremonies for new member businesses throughout Horry County.

For Grand Strand families navigating the challenges of raising a child with autism or other developmental conditions, access to early and consistent therapeutic intervention is widely recognized as a critical factor in long-term outcomes. The arrival of a dedicated, play-based pediatric OT clinic in Myrtle Beach addresses a need that parents in the area have long cited — quality care close to home, without the extended waiting lists that often characterize specialty pediatric services in smaller markets.

Families interested in learning more about Kidz With Abilities or scheduling an evaluation can visit kidzwithabilities.com.

A Growing Need Along the Grand Strand

The Myrtle Beach area has seen meaningful growth in pediatric therapy services in recent years, reflecting both a rising awareness of developmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder and an expanding year-round residential population in Horry County. Families who once had to travel to Columbia or Charlotte for specialized pediatric care now have more options closer to home — and clinics like Kidz With Abilities are part of that shift.

The Grand Strand community — which stretches from Windy Hill and Crescent Beach in the north through Ocean Drive and down to Myrtle Beach proper — is home to thousands of families with young children, many of whom are permanent residents rather than seasonal visitors. The opening of a specialized clinic focused exclusively on pediatric occupational therapy represents a direct investment in that permanent community.

For more information on Kidz With Abilities or to inquire about services, visit kidzwithabilities.com.

Thomas Beach Vacations covers local business news and community developments along the Grand Strand as part of its ongoing commitment to the North Myrtle Beach area. For vacation rental inquiries, visit northmyrtlebeachvacations.com or call (866) 249-2100.