About
Mary Beth founded Baby Steps Therapy in May of 2008 following the birth of her first son. In April of 2010 her second son was born and in May of 2013 she gave birth to her daughter. Mary Beth is humbled and honored by the privilege of being a mother. She feels that motherhood has not only helped her into a better person but continues to enrich her understanding of her professional life. She is excited to continue to develop her skills as a clinician in a caring and integrated approach to pediatric therapy.
Mary Beth Crawford, MPT, IMC, CEIM
Mary Beth received a B.S. in Biology, with minors in Psychology and French, from Villanova University in 1997. In 2000, she graduated summa cum laude from Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University with a Master of Physical Therapy. Mary Beth went on to pursue her DIR Floortime® Expert Training Leader certificate from the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) and completed her certification in 2020. Mary Beth has a great affinity for learning about the brain- body connection. Mary Beth is honored to teach DIR® curriculum courses with ICDL, as well as to be a part of such a forward-thinking community.
Through her training and practice, she has developed a new model to conceptualize motor development, called Affect Mediated Motor Development. Informed by the DIR® model, this approach empowers pediatric physical therapists to consider the critical importance of supporting the development of emotions and intentions along with sensory and motor systems, for integrated and long-lasting outcomes to physical therapy.
Mary Beth puts her relationship with each infant, child and caregiver at the forefront of every interaction. She is down to earth, fully engaged and authentic in her approach. She presumes the highest competence of all humans, and uses her knowledge of sensory systems, emotional systems and motor systems to promote neuroplasticity and developmental growth. Mary Beth believes that every child and parent/ caregiver deserves adequate emotional and educational support, along with a comprehensive understanding of their uniqueness. She believes that collaboration and communication among parents, therapists, children and health care professionals is the cornerstone of any therapy program.
When she is not working with clients and their families in direct therapy, she enjoys teaching, spending time with her husband and three children, her extended family and friends, exercising, reading, and meditating.
Jill Childs, BSN, RN
Graduated from Villanova School of Nursing in 2000 and has worked in hospital settings, private practice, and private home care settings for the past 23 years. Jill has also worked in medical sales as a clinical specialist. She has extensive experience working with and supporting parents/caregivers and infants through the perinatal and postnatal phase of transitioning home after childbirth.
Jill has 20+ years of experience as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, and has advanced training in various practices including pregnancy standards of care, preterm birth, and developmental care. Jill’s profound knowledge, developed through years of experience, is balanced by her approachable demeanor. She has a deep understanding of how to connect with people. Even when various people have similar challenges, the makeup and biology of each person is unique, and therefore the care plan is individualized and evolving. Jill is a licensed IASIS MCN Neurofeedback practitioner. Jill has completed the DIRFloortime® 101 and intends to continue to grow and expand her knowledge in both IASIS MCN and DIRFloortime®.
Jean-Pierre (JP) Larmore
J-P is a 17-year secondary-level educator and proud graduate of Saint Peter's University. He was honored as the 2019 Chester Ohlinger High School Teacher of the Year and also has served as a high school and youth sports coach. Beyond the classroom, he has advised a LEGO Robotics Club, encouraging students to explore STEM through hands-on learning. In 2024, he completed DIR Floortime Play Partner training, further expanding his commitment to child development and education. A passionate supporter of Philadelphia sports - especially the Phillies and Eagles - he lives in Media with his wife, Nicole, and their two children, Eva and Emory.