Welcome

Play By Day Pediatric Therapy Services was founded to foster your child's skills and tools they need to thrive.

Whether it's fine motor, gross motor, or sensory goals, play is the media that children use to reach their highest potential.

At Play By Day, we believe that therapeutic progress is founded in rapport and collaboration. Progress is made with trust, and trust grows with time and attention.

Our therapists will work together with you and your child to build that foundation and make huge strides as a team in a fun and enjoyable way. So day by day, let's learn, grow, and play!

DEANNA SPANO

MS, OTR/L

I'm Deanna and I am the founder of Play By Day Pediatric Therapy Services. I knew I wanted to be in the therapeutic field ever since my dad had to undergo severe surgeries when I was a child. Seeing the different disciplines of therapy work together to strengthen him back to his prior level of functioning was amazing to me, and really opened my eyes to the field of Occupational Therapy.

Throughout Occupational Therapy school, my program provided us with amazing tools and resources to understand what went into growing an Occupational Therapy practice. My dad had his own karate practice in the past and watching him created an interest in me to “one day…” own my own practice.

During my years of practice, I learned to value those things that are often overlooked in pediatric practice: not only being there for your students but also being a resource for their parents; not only guiding my therapists, but also listening to their feedback and using that to grow our practice stronger; and of course, as this past year has shown us, adapting to the challenging circumstances this world throws at us.

Whether it’s a global pandemic, changes in the education system, or who knows what may come next, occupational therapy was founded on the premise of adaptation. That is what Play By Day does best to provide your child with the tools and skills they need to perform to their highest potential in this ever changing world around us!

Deanna Spano founder of Play By Day Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Our Team

ALLISON MARUT

M.S. OTR/L

Allie is a board certified Occupational Therapist licensed in the state of New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Scranton with a MS in Occupational Therapy. She has experience working with children of all ages in a wide range of diagnosing and treating ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Cerebral Palsy.

Allie has always enjoyed helping children grow and develop ever since working in a preschool before becoming an OT. She loves finding what motivates kids to participate in a meaningful way that is fun and exciting for them. Allie loves animals, spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors!

MEGAN NEARY

M.S. / OTR/L

Megan is a board certified Occupational Therapist licensed in New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Scranton with an MS in Occupational Therapy. Megan has worked with children of all ages and skill levels. Her experience includes working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, learning disabilities, developmental delays and more.

Megan has a passion for working with children and building meaningful relationships with her clients and their families. She enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends and going to the beach. Megan is committed to helping your child reach their fullest potential.

JAMIE PADDOCK

COTA/L

Jamie is a board certified Occupational Therapy Assistant licensed in the state of New Jersey. She graduated from Seton Hall University with a BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences and then graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Rutgers University. She has experience working with children of all ages with a variety of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, and more.

Jamie has always had a passion for helping children learn and grow after previously working in a preschool and childcare positions. Outside of OT, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her two nieces and nephew. Jamie is so excited to help children and their families achieve their goals!