Tiny Tots Big Senses | Pediatric occupational and myofunctional therapy Mercer NJ

Liz Kidney, OTR/L, is a nationally board-certified, New Jersey–licensed occupational therapist and trained pediatric feeding therapist with over a decade of experience supporting children and families. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Kean University and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Springfield College in Massachusetts. Liz utilizes a neuroaffirming, strengths-based, and relationship-based approach that meets each child exactly where they are, with specialized training in pediatric feeding, oral motor assessment and treatment, and airway-conscious care.

Liz has extensive experience working with children across public schools, private and out-of-district programs, daycares, homes, and hospitals. She has supported Autistic children from preschool age—often even before a formal diagnosis—through high school, gaining deep insight into their unique strengths, sensory needs, and communication styles. Her background also includes supporting children with motor, cognitive, emotional, sensory, and communication differences, and she collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams of speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, psychologists, educators, and pediatricians to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

Her expertise includes recommending and implementing adaptive tools and equipment to promote participation, independence, and accessibility across home, school, and community environments. Liz has experience with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and has supported older students as they transition to college by assisting with accommodations, access planning, and self-advocacy strategies.

In addition to her clinical work, Liz collaborates with toy companies as a consultant and product tester, evaluating toys for their role in supporting sensory and motor development. As both a therapist and a mom of two young children, she brings empathy, creativity, humor, and real-world perspective to every family she works with. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, baking, exploring the outdoors, crafting with her children, and embracing her love of music—especially Taylor Swift.

Recent Professional Trainings

Feed the Peds®

The Foundations of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing (40 Contact Hours)

DIR / Floortime Training

DIR 101: Introduction to DIR® and DIRFloortime®

Therapeutic Listening Training

Using Sound to Support Regulation and Bilateral Integration Trained in Quickshifts® (Binaural Beat Technology)

Harkla

Assessment And Integration Of Primitive Reflexes For Improved Independence In Daily Activities

Orofascial Myofunctional Training

Introduction to Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Assessment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Thumb & Finger Sucking Support Program

Relevant Trainings

Interventions for Children with Limited or Emerging Verbal Communication
Trauma-Informed Care in Pediatric Therapy
Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) Approaches to Support Functional Outcomes
Creating and Using Visual Supports for Autistic Children
Evidence-Based Practice in School-Based Occupational Therapy

At the heart of Tiny Tots Big Senses is a neuro-affirming, strengths-based philosophy. Every child’s sensory world is unique and worthy of celebration. The focus is never on “fixing” the child, but on creating the conditions where they can thrive. Tiny Tots Big Senses serves children ages 2–12 and their families through comprehensive evaluations, personalized coaching, and concierge-level support. Services are delivered in the comfort of the home, virtually, or in select community settings across Mercer and surrounding areas. Families also enjoy direct email access for guidance between sessions, ensuring they feel supported when it matters most.

Tiny Tots Big Senses is intentionally different from traditional therapy models. Sessions are longer, scheduling is flexible, caseloads are smaller and more intentional, and recommendations are designed to fit naturally into everyday routines. The focus is on practical strategies, environmental supports, and family empowerment—so progress extends far beyond the session.

The goal is not therapy forever. It’s to equip your child—and you—with the tools, confidence, and strategies needed to thrive in daily life. Therapy becomes the bridge from needing extra support to greater independence, and I’ll walk alongside your family every step of the way.

Reach out today to experience a more intentional, real-life-focused approach to therapy.

Personalized care, not one-size-fits-all. Sessions are tailored to your child’s needs and your family’s routines.
Flexibility that fits your life. We decide, together, how often we meet, based on your child’s needs and your family’s goals and lifestyle. Visits can happen at home, in the community, or virtually — wherever real life happens.
More time, more access. Unlimited email support, and quicker responsiveness when you need guidance.
Help when you need it most. I’m just an email away, with prompt and thoughtful support — whether virtually or by phone — so you never feel alone in the process.
Lasting impact. Strategies are designed for everyday living, so the progress continues well beyond our time together.

Tiny Tots Big Senses isn’t about more therapy — it’s about more meaningful support.

“Elizabeth carefully analyzed my child’s strengths and areas of concern and provided highly individualized strategies that were truly functional and meaningful for our family.”

- Parent of a 4-year-old

“This has been such a gift for our child and for us as a family. Watching her explore, play, and build confidence each week has been incredible, and we have learned so much about how to support her development at home.”

- Parent of a 10-month-old

"Working together was a pleasure. The care and thoughtfulness behind each recommendation stood out, and we felt genuinely supported throughout the process."

- Parent of a 3-year-old

Practical services for everyday routines.

Every family begins with an initial intake process designed to build a clear, detailed understanding of your child’s strengths, needs, and daily routines. This includes a parent interview, discussion of developmental history, and observation of your child in natural environments. The initial visit is focused on gathering meaningful information, identifying priorities, and creating a practical, individualized plan to support your family.

During this process, I look closely at areas that often bring families to Tiny Tots Big Senses, including:

Sensory processing differences that impact participation in daily routines
Pediatric feeding support in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers including intro to solids, selective eating, oral motor skills and swallowing
Orofacial Myofunctional support such as mouth breathing, oral posture, sleep apnea, oral habits (finger and thumb sucking)
Strong reactions to transitions or changes in routine
Challenges with daily living skills and independence
Difficulties with focus, regulation, and engagement across home, school, and community settings

Each session that follows continues this process in a dynamic way, functioning as an ongoing “mini-assessment” where I continually learn more about your child and refine supports based on real-time progress and changing needs.

This approach ensures recommendations remain strengths-based, responsive, and designed to fit seamlessly into your family’s daily life.

Starting at $275

Written evaluation reports are available for an additional fee upon written request prior to the initial visit.

For Myofunctional Therapy- Please click here

I’m happy to provide a superbill upon request for insurance submission.

Tiny Tots Big Senses reserves a limited number of sliding scale spaces to support families who may not otherwise be able to access services. If you feel this may apply to your family, please reach out — we’ll do our best to work with you.

One-on-one sessions designed around your family’s unique needs. Each session may include parent or caregiver coaching, in-home or community observation, therapeutic exercises and sensory input, and activities to support a variety of skills, including but not limited to fine motor, hand eye coordination, overall strengthening, bilateral skills, activities of daily living, and vocational skills. Sessions may be provided virtually (must be in NJ).

Beyond direct time together, sessions also include:

Personalized strategies you can use right away
Practical resources to fit into daily routines
Recommendations for tools or items that may support your child at home
Ongoing email communication between appointments (with timely replies, often much sooner than 24 hours)

Please note: An initial evaluation is required for these sessions to begin.

Session rates vary based on clinical complexity and travel time. I strive to keep my rates competitive while reflecting my training, commitment to a small caseload, travel time, and the work that happens outside of our sessions (including ongoing education, preparation of materials, and individualized planning).

Please email me at liz@tinytotsbigsenses.com to get started. All costs are discussed during an initial phone call and confirmed prior to evaluation to ensure full transparency.

For Myofunctional Therapy- Please click here

I’m happy to provide a superbill upon request for insurance submission.

Parent/Caregiver Consultations

30–60 minutes | $55–$110

(Available nationwide via phone or video call)

Need support but not ready or able to begin occupational therapy?

Parent consultations are designed to give families personalized guidance and practical strategies to help navigate challenges at home or in the community. These sessions are not occupational therapy services, but rather collaborative consultations where we talk through your child’s needs and explore sensory, emotional, and environmental strategies that fit your routines.

Consults are ideal for families who:

Are on a waitlist for OT services
Are in between therapy providers or transitioning care
Want extra support for specific challenges (feeding, routines, regulation, sensory sensitivities, etc.)
Would like assistance supporting a caregiver (daycare teacher, nanny, babysitter, or grandparent) with strategies that promote consistency and understanding
Simply want to talk through strategies with a pediatric OT perspective

Together, we’ll build an action plan you can start using right away — helping you feel more confident in supporting your child’s growth, play, and daily life.

📞 Consults are available nationwide via phone or video.

Text or email me to get started!

609-474-4453 | liz@tinytotsbigsenses.com

The sensory playgroups tend to spark the most engagement among little ones ages 6 months to 3 years, though younger babies and older children (under 5 years) are always welcome, too! Each session blends music, movement, and sensory exploration to support early development in a playful, nurturing way. While it may look like a playgroup, it is truly more of an interactive class, carefully crafted so that children experience all eight senses. We also explore gentle ways to be mindful of each child’s unique sensory preferences, validating what feels safe and familiar while gradually and playfully introducing new sensory experiences that might otherwise feel overwhelming.

And because their childhood is your parenthood, I love weaving in themes that speak to the grown-ups just as much as the little ones. The children may or may not know the references but they’re still wrapped up in the same joyful, sensory-rich play regardless. But for parents, these themes can spark nostalgia, create easy conversation, and build friendships around shared interests. It’s a small way to reconnect with the parts of yourself that existed long before diapers and nap schedules, while still being fully present in this season of life.

Please note: These playgroups are community-based services and are not billable therapy sessions. They are not considered occupational therapy treatment, but rather an opportunity to learn, connect, and play.