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In-person OT
OT Evaluations
Virtual Services
Sensory Gym Design
Custom Equipment
Clinical Supervision
International Intensives
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. Along my journey, aspects of them began to organically merge - 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
Beautiful trunk extension without the compensatory shoulder hike we often see. This is a variation of one of my favorite activities for trunk strength and overall regulation and organization. Prone work against gravity is tough, but vestibular activation and pure fun help the child rise to the challenge.
The Lycra layers stay stored neatly on wall hooks and then set up quickly for endless bouncing, balancing, wiggly climbing, and body-awareness play. For a whole new experience, cross the monkey bars and drop down into the Lycra sheets. Want an extra challenge? Try climbing the Lycra back up to the monkey bars!
A ‘Brooklyn, by Night’ themed sensory gym seamlessly integrated into the heart of a family’s living space. The climbing wall, ramp and platform became architectural features connecting the kitchen and den. Every detail was designed to blur the line between therapy, architecture, and imaginative play, creating a space that feels as much like part of the home as it does a place for movement and exploration.
The Humpty Bumps Buzz Machine in all its glory. I designed it for a brilliant two-year-old with near-total blindness. Each hump is a different texture for tactile mapping, LED lights for contrast, and a button that activates a vibration motor to make the whole structure buzz. And Wally loves anything that buzzes!
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.
"We started working with Markus when my baby was only 10 months old as I’m a huge believer in early intervention and Markus played a big role in getting him to walk. He’s an OT but worked with our baby almost like a PT, combining sensory and movement HOLISTICALLY and really seemed to know how to connect our kiddo to his body. The improvement within only a few sessions was astounding." - AS, mother of Toddler
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
Outside of NYC and looking to enhance your child’s therapy? Feel stuck or like your child has plateaued? Have a dedicated but less experienced therapy team and want to support them to best meet your child’s needs?
I provide a range of Virtual Services for children and families. During COVID, virtual sessions became the norm and proved to be very challenging for many. However, the new medium opened windows of opportunity previously untapped and proved to be highly effective in some formats.
Sessions
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.
Screenings / Consultations
Looking to get a fresh, expert set of eyes on your child? Through a variety of means, I can informally assess your child, review history, current level of performance and what’s happening in therapy, and provide a fresh perspective and treatment plan. This can be for family purposes or arranged with your OT and other team members to best support them to help reach your child’s potential.
Ongoing Case Support
Intrigued by the Screening and interested in more? This begins with personal mentoring of your OT and/or members of your therapy team in the perspectives and techniques discussed in the Virtual Screening. It then evolves 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.
*Subject to state regulations. International services available
"During covid we had to switch to virtual sessions and Markus somehow managed to motivate my daughter, who had already fully embraced her inner teenager, to participate in zoom sessions. He came up with silly things and tapped into her passions and got her exercising and moving all around her room, which was a big help during those difficult days."
- Jen, mother of Jamie
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
Be the first!
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 a 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 and provide equipment training to family and therapy staff if needed.
“Both of our children absolutely adore the gym, and we love that it enhances our home’s decor rather than detracting from it. It has been a fantastic addition to our lives, and we truly appreciate Markus’ expertise and creativity.” - Maya, mother of Leela
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. Here 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”
