Specialized pediatric physical therapy helping children reach their full potential — right where they live, learn, and play.
There's no clinic to travel to. Susan comes directly to you — bringing expert care into the environments where your child already feels safe and confident.
Sessions in the familiar comfort of home allow children to relax, engage freely, and practice skills in the spaces they use every day.
Home VisitsWorking within the school setting means therapy goals connect directly to the classroom — supporting participation, independence, and inclusion.
School-BasedFrom parks to playgrounds to everyday public spaces — therapy in real-world environments builds skills that transfer directly to your child's life.
Community-BasedA comprehensive assessment of movement, strength, coordination, and developmental milestones.
A personalized therapy plan tailored to your child's unique strengths and challenges.
Fun, engaging sessions designed so kids enjoy the process while building real skills.
We track milestones, keep families updated, and celebrate every victory along the way.
Every session is child-led, play-based, and evidence-informed — delivered in your home, school, or community, where kids learn best.
Helping children develop foundational movement skills — crawling, walking, running, jumping — to reach age-appropriate milestones with confidence.
Targeted exercises to improve postural control, spatial awareness, and body coordination for everyday activities, sports, and play.
Fun, age-appropriate strengthening programs to build the core and limb strength children need to thrive in school, play, and life.
Timely, targeted therapy for children identified as delayed or at risk — the earlier we start, the greater the impact. Susan works with families to build skills and confidence during the most critical window of development.
Compassionate, specialized rehabilitation following orthopedic or neurological procedures to restore function and build strength.
Customized home programs with parent coaching to extend the benefits of therapy into daily routines — empowering families to support progress.
Concerned about whether your child is on track? Susan offers motor milestone screenings and developmental check-ins to identify any areas of concern early — when intervention makes the biggest difference.
Gentle, play-based therapy for babies and young infants addressing tummy time, head and neck mobility, symmetry, and early motor development. Conditions such as torticollis and positional plagiocephaly are commonly treated during this stage.
Targeted therapy to improve walking patterns, balance, and functional independence. Supports children with a wide range of diagnoses — including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and spina bifida — in moving through their world with greater ease and confidence.
Not every child who needs therapy has easy access to it. Some families find their child doesn't qualify for Early Intervention or CPSE, is on a waitlist, or loses services over the summer when Extended School Year isn't an option. Small Steps PT offers private, cash-based therapy to fill exactly these gaps — so your child's progress doesn't have to pause while the system catches up. If you're unsure whether your child qualifies for funded services or want to continue therapy between programs, Susan is happy to help you navigate your options.
Susan's path to pediatric physical therapy began long before she entered a clinic. Growing up as a competitive gymnast, she spent much of her childhood in physical therapy herself — and discovered early on the profound difference a skilled, caring therapist can make. That experience never left her.
She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Human Physiology from the University of the Witwatersrand, followed by a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, graduating in 2013. Her training across diverse clinical settings gave her a rich, globally-informed foundation — and it was during those years that she found her true calling: working with children.
With over 13 years of clinical experience, Susan has worked with children across a wide range of diagnoses and developmental needs — from infants just starting to explore movement, to toddlers and school-aged children working toward greater independence. Whatever brings your child to therapy, Susan's goal is always the same: to meet them exactly where they are and help them move forward. She uses play-based, evidence-informed techniques that make therapy feel less like an appointment and more like an adventure.
Susan's practice is fully mobile — she brings therapy directly to your home, school, or community, because she believes children learn best in the environments they already know and love. Her approach is deeply family-centered: she partners closely with caregivers to build personalized plans that carry progress into everyday life.
Whether your child is taking their very first steps or working toward greater independence, Susan brings warmth, expertise, and genuine joy to every session — one small step at a time.
We combine the latest research in pediatric movement science with a deeply human approach — because the best outcomes happen when kids feel safe, seen, and supported.
Therapy disguised as play — because kids achieve more when they're engaged and having fun.
Parents are integral to the process. We teach, guide, and equip families to support progress at home.
We set clear, achievable milestones so you can see and celebrate meaningful progress.
We coordinate with your child's entire care team for a seamless, unified approach.
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Small Steps PT is currently a cash-based practice, which means payment is due directly at the time of service rather than billed through insurance. This allows Susan to focus 100% on your child's care — with no insurance-driven limits on session length or frequency.
Many families find that the flexibility and personalized attention of a cash-based practice is well worth the investment.
Yes! Susan can provide a superbill — an itemized receipt with all the information your insurance company needs — which you can submit directly to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement rates vary by plan, so it's worth contacting your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network benefits before starting.
Small Steps PT is currently in the process of becoming an approved Early Intervention provider. If your child qualifies for EI services, please reach out — Susan can discuss your options and help connect you with the right resources in the meantime. Stay tuned for updates!
CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) provides services for children ages 3–5 who qualify for special education support through their local school district. Susan is currently working toward CPSE provider credentialing in the Onondaga and Madison County area.
In the meantime, families of children in the CPSE age range (3–5) are absolutely welcome — services can be provided on a private, cash-based basis while credentialing is in progress. Please reach out to discuss your child's needs and we can explore the best path forward together.
Susan works with children of all ages, with a particular focus on early childhood (birth to 5 years) where early intervention can make the greatest difference. Children over 5 are absolutely welcome — please reach out to discuss your child's specific needs.
Small Steps PT is a fully mobile practice. Susan comes directly to your home, your child's school, daycare, or another community setting in Onondaga and Madison County. Research shows that children learn and generalize new skills more effectively in familiar environments — which is exactly why therapy happens where your child already lives and plays.
Session length is individualized based on your child's age, attention span, and goals — and will be discussed following the initial evaluation. Most sessions are approximately 30–45 minutes. Susan will work with you to find a frequency and duration that fits your child's needs and your family's schedule.
In New York State, physical therapists can evaluate and treat patients without a physician referral for the first 10 visits or 30 days (whichever comes first) under direct access laws. That means you can reach out to Susan directly — no referral needed to get started!
The first session is a comprehensive evaluation. Susan will observe your child's movement, strength, balance, and development, talk with you about your concerns and goals, and begin to build a trusting relationship with your child through play. At the end, you'll leave with a clear picture of your child's strengths, areas to work on, and a recommended plan of care.
Have questions or ready to get started? Reach out and Susan will get back to you within one business day.
From the Blog: Practical tips and resources for families, written by a pediatric PT.