Who I am
One provider. Two missions. One integrated vision.
I’m Jenn Loughlin, OTD, OTR/L - a pediatric occupational therapist and mom of two.
I first fell in love with this work while helping a young boy with Down syndrome learn to put on his shoes - an everyday skill that turned into a life-changing moment. Since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of children and families through early intervention and private practice, helping them make sense of behavior, milestones, and the many messy moments of child development.
I believe children are already whole little people, and parenting doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful. My work combines evidence-based developmental practices with deep respect for what grownups are carrying, too. Whether I’m writing, speaking, or working one-on-one, my goal is to remind families: You’re not alone - and you’re doing better than you think.
My Creative Side
Through Growing in Play, I share evidence-based tools, joyful strategies, and funny, real-talk reflections on parenting and childhood. My work lives at the intersection of science and silliness - where brain development meets busy mornings, and therapeutic insight meets toy bin chaos.
At Growing in Play, you’ll find:
Essays on parenting, behavior, and brain development
Sensation Translation (making sensory stuff make sense)
Printables, guides, and mini courses
Whether you’re a fellow therapist, a parent googling “is this normal?”, or just someone who loves watching kids become themselves, you’re in the right place.
My Clinical Side
I’m a licensed occupational therapist with over a decade of experience supporting infants, toddlers, and young children in home, clinic, and school-based settings. I hold a post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) and specialize in:
Early childhood
Sensory processing and regulation
Parent coaching and routines-based interventions
Play-based therapy and developmental support
Pediatric neurodiversity
Children with medical complexities
I currently run a mobile private practice, Loughlin Pediatric OT, offering clinical occupational therapy services to families in northern New Jersey. Whether I’m crawling under a fort with a toddler or writing an eval report, my work is rooted in clinical excellence and family collaboration.
