When it comes to supporting children’s development through connection, play, and meaningful relationships, Kids Lead is creating a thoughtful and inclusive approach to pediatric occupational therapy. Founded by Davis Carmack, Kids Lead provides relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming care designed to help children feel safe, engaged, and confident in their everyday environments.
Kids Lead offers pediatric occupational therapy services that support children in areas such as sensory processing, emotional regulation, feeding, toileting, social development, and participation in daily routines. Using developmental models like DIR/Floortime, the team focuses on building foundational skills through play and connection, helping children grow in ways that feel natural and meaningful. In addition to therapy services, Kids Lead collaborates closely with 143 Speech Therapy and offers community-based programming, including an upcoming Floortime Summer Camp designed to support connection and inclusion beyond the therapy setting.
Kids Lead primarily serves families with young children throughout the Des Moines area, especially those navigating developmental differences. The practice often supports children from infancy through early elementary years, including neurodivergent children and those who may be struggling in traditional settings such as daycare or preschool. Many families seek out Kids Lead for its relationship-based, developmentally appropriate approach that prioritizes connection over compliance. The team also works to improve accessibility by supporting families from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, including those utilizing Medicaid.
What sets Kids Lead apart is its individualized, relationship-focused model of care. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the team partners closely with families to support real-life outcomes and long-term development. “We focus on helping children build the foundational skills of regulation, connection, and engagement, because those are what make long-term growth possible,” shared Davis Carmack, founder of Kids Lead. “When children feel safe and understood, meaningful progress follows.”
Kids Lead, in collaboration with 143 Speech Therapy, is among the only providers in the area offering DIR/Floortime-informed care supported by advanced training and ongoing mentorship. This specialized approach reflects the team’s commitment to ongoing education and maintaining high-quality, developmentally informed services. Their Floortime-based summer camp further reflects this mission, offering small group sizes and integrated therapy support for children who may not thrive in traditional camp settings. This program is also part of a long-term vision to develop a therapeutic preschool that provides accessible, inclusive early childhood support for families in the community.
The inspiration for Kids Lead comes from both professional and personal experiences. As an occupational therapist, Davis recognized that many children with sensory, regulatory, or developmental differences were not thriving within traditional systems. This understanding was shaped even earlier by growing up alongside a family member with a brain injury, which highlighted how meaningful support can impact a child’s opportunities and sense of belonging. Kids Lead was created to offer something different — a supportive, relationship-centered space where children and families can thrive together.
For Davis and the Kids Lead team, the most rewarding part of the work is the relationships they build with families. By getting to know each child and caregiver personally, they are able to provide support that extends beyond therapy sessions and into everyday routines. Families often share that they feel more confident, connected, and hopeful as they begin to see small but meaningful shifts in their child’s engagement, communication, and regulation.
Kids Lead recently joined the Clive Chamber of Commerce as part of their commitment to building strong, collaborative relationships within the community. As a locally owned business, the team is eager to connect with other organizations, schools, and providers who share a passion for supporting families. Through Chamber involvement, Kids Lead hopes to grow its referral network, increase access to services, and contribute to a more connected and inclusive community.
At its core, Kids Lead is about creating spaces where children feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. Through therapy, community programming, and partnerships, the team is working to expand opportunities for children and families throughout the Des Moines area.
To learn more about Kids Lead and their services, families can connect directly with the team to explore how they can support their child’s development and growth.
