My name is Markus Jarrow, and I’m a Brooklyn-based pediatric occupational therapist specializing in Sensory Integration (SI), Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), and DIR/Floortime. As I dove deeply into these treatment models for over two decades, I began to see how seamlessly they complemented each other to support all aspects of a child’s development. Over time, they began to organically merge in my mind - with a unique twist or two - into what has become the Ground upP™ approach.
I believe in empowering neurodiverse children through a truly robust and respectful bottom-up approach.
What sets the Ground upP™ approach apart from top-down, skill-based methodologies? It’s simple: it goes beyond symptoms and behaviors, seamlessly integrating SI, NDT, and Floortime™ to address a child’s core sensory, motor, and social-emotional challenges. By supporting the whole child and embracing their strengths and passions within a dynamic relationship, this approach truly empowers kids to adapt, generalize, and thrive no matter what life throws their way.
“Any family or therapist that has the opportunity to work with Markus has signed up for a masterclass in OT.”
As a clinician, Markus is truly world-class. His treatment style is focused, methodical and intense, yet equally full of joy, creativity, movement and play. Markus is an expert in sensory processing, motor systems, and DIR/Floortime, at a level that leaves an indelible impact on the treatment outcome of every child and family he works with. - Sandy Song OTR/L
I provide a variety of in-person and virtual occupational therapy services and consulting
As well as clinical supervision, custom equipment fabrication and sensory gym design for families and therapy clinics
If you are interested in something you do not see, please feel free to reach out through the contact form and we can try to make it happen!
Looking for an OT in NYC? Already getting OT but interested in the Ground upP™ approach? I provide home-based occupational therapy in NYC specializing in young children with sensory processing differences, autism, gross and fine motor challenges as well as infants and babies with neuromuscular difficulties. I provide weekly sessions and also book local intensives and supplemental sessions as scheduling permits.
Sessions generally take place in the home and formats range from weekly, to one-offs or series of “booster” sessions (2-3 hours), to full day intensives. I realize that some families do not have the availability or means for ongoing treatment or just simply want to supplement their current therapy program. Therefore a variety of formats are offered. If equipment or a particular environment is needed to meet a child’s sensory or motor needs, I generally recommend that we design a sensory gym or some sort of therapeutic play in the home.. Please see below.
"My daughter’s challenges were a mystery to me, but Markus understood her condition and knew exactly how to help her, and he knew how to help me help her. His continues to inspire my daughter to reach beyond herself week after week, as she grows and moves through the world." - Jen, mother of Jamie
Think your child might need OT? Wondering if they’d benefit from a Ground upP™ approach? I offer a variety of both informal Screenings and formal Evaluations to determine a need for services or a change in approach.
Generally speaking, if a child has received services in the past, a screening is often sufficient. It is also a more cost effective option providing an in-depth analysis without a written report. Otherwise a full evaluation may be recommended. If you’re already receiving services and are curious if a Ground upP™approach would help your child get to that next level, then a Screening may be perfect for you.
Full evaluations generally involve standardized testing and a more extensive process, often including a school visit. Screenings are typically performed in one home visit and are based on a parent interview, informal assessment and comprehensive clinical observations of the child. Evaluations come with an extensive written report. Screenings however, while yielding a similar depth of analysis and conclusion, are shared verbally in a follow up call without a write up. Therefore they are a more cost effective and timely option.
*International services available upon request. Out-of-state services subject to state licensing regulations. Various Virtual and consultative formats are available. Please see below
“We met Markus for a comprehensive evaluation and intensive and he immediately gave us tremendous insight into our son’s sensory and specific proprioceptive issues. Only then was I able to understand some of the unique behaviors. We literally saw progress after the first day." - Mary, mother of Frank
Not in NYC and looking for OT for your child? Interested in ongoing or a quick burst of telehealth sessions?
I provide a range of Virtual OT services for children and families that lend themselves well to this format. During COVID and the school and clinic closures and home quarantine, Virtual sessions became the norm and proved to be a very challenging endeavor for many children and their families. However for some, this new format opened windows of opportunity previously untapped. While challenging and limiting for many, Virtual OT sessions can be highly effective for some.
For younger kids with sensory differences or autism, virtual sessions often revolve around parent coaching of Floortime strategies and sensory integration techniques, both of which can work well virtually.
For older, more independent kids virtual sessions can also be very effective and take on various forms. These can be ongoing or booked as single or a series of “booster” sessions as needed to get your kid to that next level.
*International services available upon request. Out-of-state services are limited due to state licensing regulations. Various other Virtual and consultative formats are available for out-of-state families already receiving services. Please see below
“ autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore e” Maria Santos mother of John Santons
Already receiving therapy but feel like your child has plateaued? Feeling stuck? Have a dedicated but less experienced OT and want to provide them with additional support? Book a Virtual Consultation and get a fresh, expert set of eyes on your child.
Through a variety of means, I’ll informally assess your child, review history, current level of performance and what’s happening in therapy. A fresh perspective and treatment plan will then be provided. This can be for family purposes or arranged with your OT and other team members to best support them to help your child to reach their potential. This is available for children of all ages, diagnoses and presentations.
This service is a consultative process when designed for your therapist / therapy team. Subject to state regulations. International services available upon request. I'm going virtual case support and clinical supervision for members of your therapy team are also available. Please see below
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Intrigued by the Virtual Screening and interested in more? Have a dedicated but less experienced OT or therapy team and want to support them to best meet your child’s needs? Following your Screening or Consultation, your family can opt for ongoing Virtual Case Support.
This begins with personal mentoring of your OT and/or therapy team in the perspectives and techniques discussed in the Virtual Screening. It will then evolve naturally with your child’s developmental needs as they progress over time. This may include teaching in theory of methodologies, specific technique training, video reviews and feedback on technique, Floortime coaching, etc. This can take place in a quick intensive format or over a sustained period of time depending on needs and availability.
*This service is a consultative process designed for the therapist / therapy team. Subject to state regulations. International services available upon request
I have spent hours in Markus’ office dissecting and analyzing video of myself, himself, and other therapists in both group and individual collaborative meetings, with an atmosphere of positive critical analysis which fostered skill building, confidence, and results-oriented, positive clinical experiences for the children and families as well as therapists involved.
Are you a therapist looking to expand your clinical skills? Feeling stagnant? Not getting enough out of Continuing Ed courses? I offer highly individualized Clinical Supervision for OT’s and professionals of all disciplines.
I’m very fortunate to have been mentored by some of the top therapists in the world and equally fortunate to have had the opportunity to mentor more than a hundred OTs, PTs, Speech therapists, Psychologists and Social Workers over the last two decades. Working with impassioned clinicians and sharing what I’ve learned over the years is a true passion of mine. Through extensive video review, teaching of therapy principles and clinical reasoning, and instruction in specific techniques of SI, NDT and DIR/Floortime, I can help you take your clinical game to the next level with any pediatric population.
Over the years, I’ve found that when clinicians of different disciplines collaborate using a well-rounded approach like Ground upP, the overlap and continuity between therapies drastically improves, leading to greater progress for the children they support.
*This service is available worldwide. It can be arranged directly by a therapist, through a client family, or through a facility/school when no in-house supervision is available.
Markus has such a deep understanding of sensory processing and postural control and the way he links it all together with DIR/Floortime is quite special. He’s certainly one of my favorite clinicians to brainstorm cases with and as a DIR instructor at ICDL, I’ve always wished he’d come teach courses with me!
Live overseas and looking for expert therapy services to come to you? Want a Sensory Gym designed in your home or a comprehensive program set up? I offer International intensives in a variety of formats, custom designed to meet the different therapeutic and cultural needs of each child and family.
Generally these are full-day immersive sessions ranging from 5-10 days in length consisting of direct therapy, family training, DIR/Floortime coaching, home environment and schedule adaptation, in-home Sensory Gym design, interviewing/building a therapy team, team coaching, and ongoing remote case management after and between visits.
Working with children and their families and traveling the world are two of my passions. I have traveled extensively through every continent and deeply enjoy the opportunity to experience new and different cultures through the intensive therapy process with families. The more remote and interesting the better!
*Subject to international regulations
“The whole experience of flying Markus over, him setting up a program with our son in our home was completely seamless, and worth any expense. He provided the necessary equipment, parent training and completely tweaked the treatment plan based on our son's needs, our resources, and living situation" - Hannah, mother of William in Barbados
Struggling on those restless rainy days? Have your couch and bed become full-time playgrounds? Kids stuck to the iPad screen? Let me design a Sensory Gym and transform part of your home or apartment into a wonderful therapeutic play space.
I offer customized sensory gym design catered specifically to the individual needs of your child, family and home. This can range from small playroom or bedroom projects to full basement designs. Whether your child receives therapy or not, daily sensory and movement input is critical for regulation and overall development for all kids. An in-home individualized play space not only allows for this but also instantly takes any home-based therapy you may be getting to the next level.
I also consult with sensory gyms, schools, etc. for new gym designs or existing gym modifications/upgrades and fabrication of custom equipment. Please see below.
In addition to local, on-site jobs, I can work remotely using floor plans to draft a design, order equipment and provide a custom plan for your family. My fabrication team can handle the build out and we can ship it to you or your contractor/family/handyman can take care of it. I can then oversee installation via video call or in-person. I also can provide equipment training to family and therapy staff
“He promptly carried out this project from beginning to end, exceeding our expectations. It came out beautifully. I have a number of therapists, specializing in different areas that all compliment how amazing and functional our gym is. We couldn’t be happier." - Roe, mother of Christian
Have a gym and tired of the same old swings, scooter ramps, etc? Looking to take your space and treatment possibilities to the next level?
If you want something custom, my team will build it for you I am slowly developing custom therapy equipment for sensory gyms and home therapy spaces, as well as a collection of sensory products and toys. Some will be available for custom order and delivery locally or you can purchase the plans for DIY construction yourself or via family handyman. In some cases, the parts can be ordered and you simply put them together. Stay tuned. I have some exciting equipment, system and product ideas on the way!
“ autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore e” Maria Santos mother of John Santons
I've had the great fortune of working with hundreds of extraordinary kids and families over the years, all with their own unique story. Each journey taught me so much, allowing me to better meet the needs of children and families to come. I've also been blessed with the opportunity to supervise hundreds of inspired minds from OT, PT, speech, psychology, social work and education. Few things are as rewarding for me as those ‘aha moments’ when a clinician grasps a new concept or executes something in a session for the first time. Below are some of the lovely things these folks have to say.
Read More“We were frustrated with other programs and services and felt stuck until we met Markus”
“We’re so happy with the sensory gym that Markus designed and put together for us”
“...as a DIR instructor at ICDL, I’ve always wished he’d come teach courses with me!”
“…he taught me so much about sensory integration that completely changed my practice as a PT”
