OUR PHILOSOPHY
Empowering Children Through Therapy
At Learn and Play OT, we believe in promoting the wellbeing of every child we work with. Our approach focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment to help children reach their full potential and achieve meaningful progress in their development. We are a community-based Pediatric Occupational Therapy practice. This means we treat children in their natural environments-homes, schools, and local parks. We want to go where your child is playing, living, and facing challenges.
​MEET OUR TEAM
​Susie Erde, M.S., OTR/L
Founder & Pediatric Occupational Therapist
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Susie created Learn & Play OT after 8 years of passionate work as an occupational therapist specialized in pediatrics. Susie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute. She became interested in occupational therapy after her first child was born with cerebral palsy, and she was able to observe and participate in many years of therapeutic sessions. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2017 from Mercy College.
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Susie loves being a pediatric OT because it allows her to be able to combine her creativity skills with her understanding of science. She believes in a functional play-based approach to enhance her patients and their family’s quality of life, and help children become more confident at their daily occupations. Susie has practiced in a variety of pediatric settings with ages 0-18. She has worked in public and private schools, early intervention, sensory integration clinics, and outpatient/inpatient pediatric hospital settings.
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Susie has received post-graduate education in DIR Floortime, Sensory Integration, and has completed training in Handwriting Without Tears and the SOS Approach to Feeding. She believes in a joyful & meaningful engagement with children throughout their therapy and enjoys collaborating with all members of a child’s life to help support a child’s independence & success.
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When Susie is not busy working, she and her family enjoy going to the beach, boating, and spending time outdoors with their dogs, Indy, Millie, and Teddy. Susie maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT, and is a member of the SCOTA and AOTA.