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Sensory Integration Gym

Fitness Training, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening

Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy

  Improving the lives of children one at a time

Pediatric Therapy Services


Maximize your child's full potential though therapeutic intervention.  Address underling skills necessary for optimal participation in school, on the playground, at home and in the community. We are here to help!

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy services are provided on site and in the community (home and schools).


Our clinic is located in the heart of downtown Bronxville, with ample parking and within close proximity to Metro North Railroad ( 1 block walk)

Create Abilities of NY, Occupational Therapy, PLLC


We are a growing staff of highly skilled and trained professionals dedicated to providing the highest standards of service to meet the individual needs of your child.


We  treat a wide variety of genetic conditions and neurological disorders, including learning disabilities, sensory processing disorders, orthopedic conditions, developmental delays, head trauma, cerebral palsy, autism, torticollis, & speech and language delays 

Sensory Integration

The neurological process that organizes sensation from one's own body and from the environment, making it possible to use the body effectively.  Good sensory integration is the foundation for praxis and higher level cognitive skills 

(Ayres, 1988).

Sensory input is essential to child development, especially tactile & vestibular sensations, which develop early & contribute to human behavior and performance.  Research indicates- atypical sensory experiences result in a disruption of behavior and performance. Oetter, Richter & Frick (1995)

Wilbarger & Wilbarger (1995)



About the Owner

Vanessa Pastore, MA, OTR/L

Vanessa Pastore, MA, OTR/L is a pediatric Occupational Therapist with specialized training in Sensory Integration evaluation and intervention and Neurodevelopmental Treatment techniques that emphasize the importance of posture and movement patterns in functional task performances. She has extensive clinical and supervisory experience in a wide variety of private and public community settings in the NY metropolitan area for over 25 years.  She has served as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, New York University, and is a certified Personal Fitness trainer.  Vanessa is currently an Expert Consultant for Understood.org. She also holds certifications in Interactive Metronome Training and Advanced Therapeutic Listening.  Vanessa owned and operated a large, private sensory gym in midtown Manhattan for over 15 years, before relocating her private practice to Westchester County.

She can be e-mailed at vanessampastore@gmail.com.

What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on improving a person's ability to perform life activities and interact effectively with people across all environments. 

With children, Occupational Therapists evaluate fine motor, gross motor perceptual motor, neurological and sensory processing skills.  We assess a child's ability to perform self- care activities, academic abilities, social interactions and adaptive play behaviors. Occupational Therapists use a wide variety of direct treatment interventions in combination with parent/teacher/caregiver consultations to optimize each child's success at home, school and in the community.  Children develop self-esteem, body awareness and motor organizational skills to maximize their individual potentials inn their daily lives. 

Sensory Integration

“The organization of sensation for use.”-Jean Ayres

* the ability to take in, sort out, & connect information from the world around us

* Takes place automatically in normal development as information is taken in through the senses

* The process by which the CNS develops & matures

*Takes place from infancy through childhood

* Occurs on an unconscious level

* Developed & enhanced by sensory experiences

* The foundation for higher level skills: Praxis, Cognition and Academic performance


Sensory Integration therapy requires the organization of the therapeutic environment to elicit an "adaptive response", to drive the child to meet an environmental demand successfully. This, in turn, enhances body awareness, position sense, postural control and bilateral coordination skills.  

Body awareness, position sense, postural control, and bilateral coordination skills are all prerequisites for learning to write, draw, cut with scissors, manipulate clothing fasteners and have fun on the playground & in gym class.

Our Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services

Learn about our therapeutic services below

Sensory Integration Therapy

Sensory Integration utilizes suspended equipment to organize the nervous system for improved sensory regulation and motor organization..  This technique is typically used with children diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Developmental Coordination Disorders, Dyspraxia, and Sensory Processing Disorders.

Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)

NDT is a treatment technique that is typically used with children diagnosed with movement disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Erb's Palsy, head trauma and other neurological conditions.  This technique emphasizes the importance of posture and movement patterns in functional activities.

Fine Motor Skill Development

Fine motor skills encompass a wide variety of upper extremity functions, that include shoulder girdle stability, forearm mobility, wrist positioning and distal precision control.  Refined hand skills, such as grasp, pinch and prehension, promote tool/utensil use for functional activity performances

Balance & Coordination Training

Some developmental disorders are characterized by low muscle tone, which impacts balance and postural control. This makes it harder for children to sit or stand still without leaning or moving their bodies.  Therapeutic activities are provided to strengthen core muscles and improve static and dynamic balance.  Children are then able to sustain seated or standing positions for daily life activities. 

Therapeutic Listening (TL)

This is a sound technology that emphasizes blending sound intervention strategies with vestibulo-proprioceptive organization to sustain grounding and centering of the body and mind in space and time.  Therapeutic selections impact posture and regulation, attention, communication, socialization, and academic performance.  Sound sensitivity can also be improved using this intervention. 

Interactive Metronome (IM)

IM is a computer-based training program designed to improve attention, coordination, and timing in children (and adults) with a wide range of cognitive and physical difficulties including Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD) and other learning challenges.  A patented auditory guidance system is used to improve a person's timing and capacity to plan action.  

services

Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy Services are available by appointment 

on site

Contact us for more information

Pediatric Physical Therapy Services are available by appointment 

on site

Contact us for m​ore information

Testimonials

testimonials

"Vanessa is not only a terrific OT, but she is warm, attentive, and tuned in to what my son needs. She has worked with him for the last three years and I have seen tremendous improvement, much of it thanks to her care. The gym space is immaculate and private, much different than some of the more crowded OT spaces we have used in the past, allowing for my son to get undivided attention with no distractions. Finally, Vanessa is always willing to try new or different therapies to tackle my son’s challenges in ways that make it fun for him! He loves going to see her and looks forward to his sessions."

Henry's Mom

Devoted Parent 

"When my son was three years old, he was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. We would later learn that he also has autism. From the very beginning, we turned to Vanessa Pastore. Ms. Pastore worked ever tirelessly and enthusiastically in so many areas, from coordination to muscle tone to penmanship. Like many children with his challenges, his ability to toilet train was delayed and she was the true catalyst in helping him achieve this milestone. Over the years, I've observed that Ms. Pastore has endless patience, a spectacular outlook and is a true childrens' champion. Suffice it to say, you could not be in more caring or more competent hands. Any family with the chance to work with her is incredibly fortunate!"

Zach's Mom

Devoted Parent 

"I can wholeheartedly recommend Vanessa Pastore and the work of

 the Create Abilities team. She's smart, knows her stuff and is terrific 

with the kids.

Her work with my son, who high-functioning on the spectrum, was enormously helpful. As an example of one of the ways she helped. My son was highly sensitive to a wide range of smells he found offensive. He would get visibly upset when exposed to them. She worked patiently with him so he learned how to modulate his reaction. It sounds like a little thing, but when you don't have to worry your 10 year old will have a meltdown if someone nearby peels an orange, 

life gets easier.

Vanessa also taught him how to balance himself properly when pedaling his bike by the second lesson."

Marlene L.

Devoted Parent 

Createabilities SBS Brain Fitness Video for Korean TV show 2008

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We look forward to hearing from you!





Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help your child

reach his or her full potential!

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ADDRESS

81 Pondfield Road

Suites 3 & 5

Bronxville, NY 10708

CALL US

Tel. 914 337-0034


 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY  

SPEECH THERAPY                                                                              PHYSICAL THERAPY

Exemplary care from highly trained and experienced professionals 

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