Nicole St. John
Pediatric Occupational Therapist

About Nicole St. John MS, OTR/L

My interest in becoming an occupational therapist was not a straight line. It came by way of my cousin, Anne Marie, an OT. A little bit on that later.

I was searching for a way to combine my love of biology and anthropology (my two majors as an undergraduate at Colby College) with a career in service to others. Straight out of college I tried researching in a lab in Boston, working on a project figuring out how viruses enter cells. While the work was inspiring and important, the hours seated at the work bench didn’t suit my personality. I preferred movement and connection.

Fast forward to my cousin, Anne Marie. She had been working as an OT in both early intervention in the home and at a school. She suggested I shadow her for a few days, thinking I might like it. I remember her saying to me “I know it might look like we are just playing, but I will be guiding the session to work on areas the child needs to work on. Just look on and see what you think.”

Well, as you can tell I loved what I saw. Not only was Anne Marie helping her children reach their full potential, she and the kids were having fun. There was connection, movement and purpose - all the areas I was looking for in a career.

After completing a Master of Science at Columbia University I honed my skills at Roosevelt Hospital (now Mt. Sinai West) in inpatient rehabilitation with a focus in neurology and orthopedics. While I enjoyed working with adults in the hospital setting I realized my true calling was working with young children. I worked as an OT at PS 158 , a K-middle school on the eastside. After a few years working PS 158 I decided it was time to branch out on my own and joined a private practice where I am today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What age groups do you serve?
A: I provide pediatric occupational therapy services for children ages 0–12 in Manhattan, NYC, with individualized therapy plans to meet each child’s developmental needs.

Q: What is your therapy approach?
A: My approach treats the whole child, focusing on sensory processing, regulation, and motor skill development. Every therapy session is personalized to help children reach their full potential.

Q: Where do you provide services?
A: I provide therapy in school and home settings as well as at my Sensory Gym in Manhattan, NYC, offering a flexible environment to address various developmental goals.

Q: What areas do you address?
A: I work with children on sensory processing, motor delays, handwriting, play skills, life skills, and daily living activities, ensuring a holistic approach to their development.

Q: How long have you been practicing?
A: I have over 15 years of experience helping children and families achieve their developmental goals through effective, evidence-based occupational therapy.

Q: Do you collaborate with others?
A: Yes, I work closely with parents, teachers, and other professionals to support each child’s growth, ensuring consistent progress across home, school, and therapy settings.