OUR PHILOSOPHY
Empowering Children Through Therapy
At Learn and Play OT, we believe in promoting the wellbeing of every child we work with. Our approach focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment to help children reach their full potential and achieve meaningful progress in their development. We are a community-based Pediatric Occupational Therapy practice. This means we treat children in their natural environments-homes, schools, and local parks. We want to go where your child is playing, living, and facing challenges.
​MEET OUR TEAM
​Susie Erde M.S., OTR/L
Founder & Pediatric Occupational Therapist
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Susie created Learn & Play OT after 8 years of passionate work as an occupational therapist specialized in pediatrics. Susie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute. She became interested in occupational therapy after her first child was born with cerebral palsy, and she was able to observe and participate in many years of therapeutic sessions. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2017 from Mercy College.
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Susie loves being a pediatric OT because it allows her to be able to combine her creativity skills with her understanding of science. She believes in a functional play-based approach to enhance her patients and their family’s quality of life, and help children become more confident at their daily occupations. Susie has practiced in a variety of pediatric settings with ages 0-18. She has worked in public and private schools, early intervention, sensory integration clinics, and outpatient/inpatient pediatric hospital settings.
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Susie has received post-graduate education in DIR Floortime, Sensory Integration, and has completed training in Handwriting Without Tears and the SOS Approach to Feeding. She believes in a joyful & meaningful engagement with children throughout their therapy and enjoys collaborating with all members of a child’s life to help support a child’s independence & success.
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When Susie is not busy working, she and her family enjoy going to the beach, boating, and spending time outdoors with their dogs, Indy, Millie, and Teddy. Susie maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT, and is a member of the SCOTA and AOTA.
Margaret Bloder M.S., OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Margaret discovered the field of occupational therapy when her grandmother had a stroke and received OT services to increase independence with her activities of daily living. She has always known that she wanted to work with children as she enjoyed working at summer camps and nannying.
Margaret is passionate about using child-centered, evidence-based treatment and empowering families and caregivers to help their child reach their goals. She excels at providing a calm, safe space for children to be themselves while progressing towards goals in a fun way! Margaret's infectious personality is loved by all those she encounters. Margaret has practiced in a variety of settings including home, daycare, school, and clinic environments.
Margaret earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Recreational Therapy at Clemson University. She completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2020 from the Medical College of Georgia. 

Margaret is a native to Charleston and she loves exploring new and upcoming spots in the area. When Margaret is not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending weekends at the local lakes. Margaret maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT and is a member of the SCOTA.
Kelsey Wallace OTD, OTR/L
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Kelsey has always had a heart for working with children, whether babysitting, volunteering in her community, or caring for little ones in her church nursery. When she shadowed a pediatric occupational therapist for the first time, she immediately knew it was where she was meant to be and discovered her passion for supporting children in meaningful ways.
Kelsey believes therapy should be fun, engaging, and empowering. She utilizes a child-led, evidence-based approach, striving to create a safe and supportive space where children feel confident while working toward their goals. During her clinical rotations, she gained experience in a variety of pediatric settings including schools, day programs, and clinics where she supported children of all abilities in reaching their fullest potential.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Clemson University in December 2021 and went on to complete her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina, graduating with the Class of 2025.
Kelsey is from Hilton Head, South Carolina and loves spending her free time on the water, whether boating, reading at the beach, or soaking up the sun with family and friends. Kelsey maintains active accreditation with the NBCOT and is a member of the AOTA.