Susan Richey, MS, OTR/L
Biography
I am a licensed, registered Occupational Therapist with experience in working with a variety of childhood disorders within the school system, clinic, and home environment. I have extensive experience in working with children with Sensory Processing Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Delays, Gifted and Twice Exceptional. My work in early childhood, preschool diagnostic, assistive technology, and the therapeutic day school setting, has allowed me to gain specialized knowledge in with working with children with a variety of childhood neurological and mental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, Anxiety, Childhood Schizophrenia, Tourette’s syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsion Disorder.
I received my Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Rush University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Marquette University. I then went on to obtain a specialty certification from Sensory Integration International in the Evaluation and Treatment of Sensory Integration and Praxis Disorders when I began my work as an occupational therapist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Pediatric Unit. Since then I have dedicated my career to the application of sensory integration theory and practice to a variety of populations and settings throughout the Chicago area. My passion is in working with children, their families, and related school personnel in regards to the sensory processing issues and social thinking abilities which are oftentimes an integral part of many childhood disorders.
Although I am extremely passionate about my career, the most important part of my life is my family. I am a mother of three wonderful children who are now young adults. Growing up, I had the honor of nurturing, loving, and supporting my children, each with their own special needs. I learned the most from each of them. They taught me to aim to be the best version of myself in order to best support them. Through my research, professional development, and my own experiences as a parent, I chose to enhance my occupational therapy practice by becoming additionally certified as a Reiki practitioner, Radiant Child Yoga instructor and Social Thinking provider. I recently presented at the Social Thinking Providers conference on the use of applying these concepts into my work with children on the spectrum to enhance their social development and self-regulation skills.
My work for over 10 years in the therapeutic day school setting allowed me to find my gift in working with students with self-regulation difficulties. I continue to strive to be a resource for children and those adults who work with them to find creative, therapeutic ways to manage sensory processing issues that affect their ability to maintain self-regulation in order to achieve their hopes and dreams. After my oldest son was identified as gifted and twice-exceptional, I dove into research and professional development in working with this population of children. I produced an article in “Parenting for Twice Exceptional Children” magazine on how to identify and manage sensory issues in gifted children. Currently, I am a Board of Trustee member for the Science and Arts Academy in DesPlaines where my oldest son began his journey in education.
One of my additional passions is water sports. I grew up during the summer months at Powers Lake, Wisconsin where I discovered my love of waterskiing. I was a show skier on the Aquanut Water Show Team in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin throughout my high school and college years. When I became an occupational therapist, I wondered if those with disabilities could enjoy the exhilaration of water skiing. Through my first job at the Rehabilitation Institue of Chicago, I became certified as an Adaptive ski instructor and started holding events with the Aquanut Water ski team. Over 20 years later, our program has grown to what I have now established as our own 501c3 charitable organization, H2O Adaptive Sports, inc. We hold adaptive water sports events throughout the summer for anyone with a physical, neurological or developmental disability. It is my passion to provide an exciting, safe, interactive day at the lake for those who could not without our expertise and use of our adaptive water ski equipment. I also serve as the Wisconsin Waterski Federation Representative for Adaptive events.
I am incredibly grateful to be part of The Therapy Tree’s wonderful group of therapists, children, and families. I so enjoy my relationship with these children and their families and continue to strive to be the best support I can be for our Therapy Tree clients and co-workers.