Susie Donohue – Pediatric Physical Therapist in Oak Park, IL
Helping Kids Thrive with Physical Therapy
Hi, I’m Susie Donohue
I'm a board-certified pediatric Physical Therapist and child development specialist with experience supporting children of all ages across schools, home-based care, inpatient rehab, NICU, outpatient rehab, aquatic therapy, and other pediatric settings. I use evidence-based, child- and family-centered, play-based care to help children build skills and reach their goals.
Why I love what I do:
I love helping children discover what they’re capable of while empowering them to make choices, express themselves, and feel confident in their bodies through play and movement.
Why I’m passionate about in-home care:
I love meeting children and families where they live and play, using their home and community environments to practice meaningful skills where they naturally occur.
What does a Physical Therapist Do?
Developmental physical therapists support children in building movement and motor skills—so they can grow, explore, and move with confidence. If your child struggles with things like walking, climbing stairs, balance, or coordinating movements, a pediatric PT can help.
Pediatric PTs focus on:
- Gross motor skills – like crawling, walking, running, jumping, or riding a bike
- Balance and coordination – helping kids feel steady on their feet and move smoothly between activities
- Strength and endurance – building the muscle power kids need for play, sports, and daily activities
- Movement patterns – teaching proper ways to move that prevent injury and support healthy development
- Mobility and independence – helping kids navigate stairs, playgrounds, and their environment safely
Pediatric developmental physical therapy supports kids at home, at school, and during play—so they can feel confident and capable in how they move through their world every day.
My Specialties
I specialize in:
How my practice is special
Evidence-Based Care
I ground my therapy in evidence-based practices, using research-informed strategies to provide effective, individualized support for each child.
Collaborative, Culturally Sensitive Care
I partner closely with children and families while respecting their values, backgrounds, and unique experiences to create care that feels supportive, inclusive, and meaningful.
Play-Based, Child-Led Therapy
I use play to make therapy engaging and enjoyable while ensuring every child has a voice in the process. The child is always the “boss,” and I follow their interests, choices, and communication to guide our sessions.
Client testimonials
Areas I Serve
I work with families in Oak Park, and these surrounding areas: River Forest, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, and River Grove.
River Forest
Berwyn
Forest Park
Maywood
Melrose Park
River Grove
Local Places I love!
Empowering Gardens
Dandelion Bookshop
ViaClay Pottery
Unsure about what your child needs?
Book a quick 10 minute consultation with me! Serving families in Oak Park near Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Easily accessible from CTA Green Line.
Who is Coral Care?
Coral Care supports families with exceptional in-home pediatric therapists in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Every provider in our network is thoroughly vetted through a clinical review process and receives ongoing support through monthly education, community, and access to specialized resources.
We believe the best care happens when disciplines work together. That’s why we actively support cross-specialty collaboration—ensuring kids get care that’s not just high-quality, but truly holistic.
Need more care for a child—or know a family who does?
