Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Squillacioti.
Hi Summer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Playful Paths Pediatric Therapy didn’t start as a business — it started as a calling. From an early point in my career, I knew I wanted to support children in a way that felt meaningful, joyful, and practical for families. After completing my Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Education at the University of Florida and earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University, I dove into pediatric therapy across a variety of settings — outpatient clinics, private schools, and early childhood programs.
Along the way, I saw families doing their absolute best — but still struggling to carry the wins from therapy into everyday life. Kids would make progress in a clinical setting, yet when it came to real-world routines like playtime at home, school participation, or simple moments of regulation and coordination, the strategies didn’t always stick. I wanted something different — something playful, child-led, and rooted in connection.
That’s when Playful Paths Pediatric Therapy was created.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all—and that’s been an important part of the journey.
Building Playful Paths has been incredibly rewarding, but it hasn’t been a smooth or linear road. One of the biggest challenges was stepping into business ownership without a formal business background while still holding myself to the same high standards of care I expect as a clinician. Balancing clinical work, operations, finances, and growth—often simultaneously—required a lot of learning on the fly.
Another major hurdle was restarting the business after relocating from South Florida to the Orlando area after my husband was hired on by Orange County Fire. That move meant rebuilding from the ground up—establishing a new referral network, introducing the brand to a new community, and earning trust all over again. It was both humbling and challenging, especially while creating a model that looks different from more traditional occupational therapy approaches.
Growth didn’t happen overnight, and there were moments of doubt, long hours, and hard decisions. What carried us through was staying grounded in our mission. Every challenge helped clarify who we are, what we value, and why this work matters. Those struggles ultimately shaped Playful Paths into a practice that is intentional, resilient, and deeply connected to the families we serve.
We’ve been impressed with Playful Paths Pediatric Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Occupational therapy helps children develop the skills they need to participate in everyday life—play, learning, self-care, emotional regulation, and daily routines. At Playful Paths Pediatric Therapy, occupational therapy is rooted in understanding the nervous system and how a child’s brain and body work together, so progress feels meaningful, functional, and sustainable.
Playful Paths specializes in supporting children with sensory processing difficulties, emotional regulation challenges, motor planning and coordination difficulties, retained primitive reflexes, and trouble with focus and attention. Our team is highly trained in sensory and reflex integration, which allows us to address underlying patterns in the nervous system that influence how children move, focus, and respond to the world around them.
What sets Playful Paths apart is our nervous-system-informed, play-based approach! Rather than teaching skills in a rigid, task-by-task way, we support the brain and body first—helping children feel calm, organized, and ready to learn. When the nervous system is regulated, skills naturally carry over into many areas of life instead of needing to be re-taught in every new situation. Our clinic features a specialized sensory gym—one of only a few in Central Florida—designed to support brain development through movement and play.
Families are an integral part of the process. We prioritize education, collaboration, and carryover so progress extends beyond the clinic and into real life—mornings at home, school days, playdates, and bedtime routines.
At its core, Playful Paths is not about fixing children—it’s about understanding them, supporting their nervous systems, and helping them build the skills they need to thrive.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Families can work with Playful Paths Pediatric Therapy by reaching out to schedule a comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation, enroll in individualized therapy services, or participate in our specialized programs offered within our sensory-rich clinic. We support children through one-on-one therapy, targeted sensory and motor-based interventions, and family-centered care designed to translate into everyday life. We welcome collaboration with medical providers, therapists, educators, and holistic and community partners through referrals and shared programming. Anyone interested in learning more, getting started, or partnering with us is encouraged to reach out—we’re always happy to connect and help families take the next step on their child’s path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.playfulpathspeds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playfulpathstherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567362456905
Image Credits
Savanah Richelle Photography
