Susan Orloff

Susan Orloff, OTR/L is the author of the recently published book, “Learning Re-enabled: a guide for parents, teachers and therapists”. She is the owner of Children’s Special Services, LLC, a provider of comprehensive therapy services for children aged 3-15.

Orloff graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in special education. She continued graduate studies in occupational therapy at the University of Pennsylvania and has been an occupational therapist for more than 30 years. During that time she has helped develop many programs for children who learn differently.

She participated in the early standardization of Ayres Southern California Sensory Integration Tests, a nationally used test for discerning sensory issues with children.

Her awards include “Outstanding Educator Award” from the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association in 1981, and “Therapist of the Year” from Advanced Rehabilitation Services, Inc. in 1994 Georgia Woman of Distinction 2004, Georgia OT of the Year 2006, Barbara Grant Merit Award 2008, and Exceptional Parent Magazine’s Models of Excellence in the Education Profession Award 2009.

In addition, she has co-coordinated student internship experiences for various universities, and has served as a mentor for registered occupational therapists wishing to increase their therapy practice skills with children.

Susan N. Schriber Orloff, OTR/L is available for seminars, consultations and presentations through Advanced Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (ARS). Seminars are always specifically designed to meet the needs of your particular population.  For more information click here to email Susan. ARS is an AOTA preferred provider and is nationally recognized as a leading provider of seminars and quality continuing education programs.

What people are saying about Susan Orloff, OTR/L

“Susan, I just read your list serve post and just wanted to thank you for always jumping in and educating all of us on things that are so meaningful to our practice. You always have so much information to share and I appreciate what you have to say. I also enjoy reading your column in Advance and immediately turn to your page when I receive an issue in the mail. I have been meaning to e-mail you to tell you this but kept getting sidetracked so I am glad to have the opportunity right this minute to tell you how glad I am to know you and to learn from your wisdom.”

Debi Hinerfeld, GA OT Assoc. President

“Hi Susan, I am inspired by your article in Advance (for OT). I am an OT in a school system for which I service the Pre-K, 2 elementary schools and the high school. The district I am currently working for recently terminated a contract with a local agency and has hired their own employees which makes us really be part of the teams which is great. I am struggling with administration to help them see the need for time that is not “mandated” so that I may have time in all of the grades to develop mini curriculum’s, checklists, etc. I am so happy you are advocating for this type of service, it only makes sense! Thanks for all you are doing for other OT’s !!!”

Patty

“Ms. Orloff: just want to drop you a note and let you know I enjoyed your article this morning. I don’t know if you have ever heard of our organization but we spend a great deal of time traveling the state informing audiences that Education IS Economics. One of our key programs is Economics of Education. You can get more information on our website (www.gpee.org). I wish you well in your incredibly important work.”

B Maddox, Communications Director, Atlanta GA

Big breakthrough for Kody

“I really believe that a lot of Kody’s “blocks” are motivated by fear and that fear shuts him down, socially and scholastically–fear of failure in his schoolwork, so he balks at doing his homework and reading. Then once you get his confidence up, he literally zips through his homework and doesn’t even say the letters out load, he just writes them.
Kody hates to “read” a few words here and there when we read before bed. He feels the “pressure” and retreats. He is terrified of riding a block without training wheels as he watches his friends ride. He’s a great ballplayer and refuses to put on a mitt because he thinks everyone is better than he is.
So, thanks to Susan, today we saw a breakthrough!
Kody rode a bicycle without training wheels all over Susan’s cul-de-sac. They started with a scooter, skateboard, bike without pedals and then a bike with pedals. He fell, he shut down, he tried it again and again and that kid was pedaling with determination on his face and he was amazing!!
Then we went inside, Susan gave him a mitt and he was catching the ball with his left hand in the mitt and throwing it back with his right. I have been working with him on this, but he doesn’t even want to play. I guess the confidence he got with the bike fed into his confidence when he put on the mitt and he loved it! There was a sparkle in his eyes and his face lit up like I’ve never ever seen before. It was grand, so thanks a million and one time to Susan (and she was really tough).
And finally, when we came home, he read the front of Dr. Suess’ book, “Put me in the Zoo” all by himself and read the first three pages, totally excited and loving it. Not sucking back and fighting me. I’ve never seen my kid like this and it was amazing. This was the present my son gave me for my birthday!”

Love, Jodi Gabay–Atlanta, GA

“Susan, Your article that was published in ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy was sent to me by National UMDF. You can imagine how excited and floored I was that our son is under your care. I am so excited to have this article. I have already printed it and am going to further it along. God bless you.
Thanks again”

A Mom in need of Information

“Dear Susan,
Thank you for the outstanding article on children with mitochondrial disease and how it relates to their school work and OT needs at school. It couldn’t have come at a better time for us. Our 8 year old son is now going through his MFE for his new IEP for next year. I have printed the article and will be giving it to his aide, teacher, the school psychologist in charge of the MFE and his OT. Thank you again for the great resource!”

Sincerely, Lisa Arnold Mom in Ohio

“Susan is a gifted pediatric OT. She has extensive training and certifications that would exhaust us both if I were to list. I recommend her without hesitation. I would recommend that you contact her before seeing your pediatrician as she will advise you as to what you need from your pediatrician.”

OT in Georgia

Susan, “I read your article in Advance for OT concerning treating children with mitochondrial disorders. I am a fairly new OT with 3 years experience in the early childhood intervention setting and see a little one with Mucolipidosis type III. I have been looking around for other OTs with experience treating these children without much luck, your expertise and kindness in sharing your experience with me is greatly appreciated.”

OT in El Paso