Play.Learn.Grow.
Through engaging speech and occupational therapy, we create personalized experiences that help your child communicate, move, and gain confidence while having fun.
Pediatric Speech & Occupational Therapy in Maria Stein, Ohio
At Smart Play Therapy, we offer a neurodiversity-affirming environment where we focus on your child’s unique abilities and individual strengths. Through personalized, play-focused speech and occupational therapy, we help children build the skills they need to communicate, move, play, learn, and participate more confidently in everyday life, regardless of age.
We keep therapy fun, functional, and meaningful while giving you practical ways to support your child’s growth at home. Together, we create a therapy plan tailored to the specific needs of your child and your family, with the goal of helping your child build confidence, independence, and skills that carry into daily life.
About the therapists
Kelly Nieberding, M.S. CCC-SLP
Kelly is the owner and Speech-Language Pathologist at Smart Play Therapy. She earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Miami University in 2011 and has over 13 years of experience evaluating and treating children with a wide variety of speech and language disorders.
Kelly has additional training in:
Play-focused and functional speech and language therapy techniques
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy approaches
Natural Language Acquisition framework and gestalt language processing
The PLAY Project - early intervention program for Autistic children
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) evaluation and support
Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and their three young children. She loves cooking, sharing a good cup of coffee with friends, and making memories through family adventures and excursions.
Bethany Graham, M.A. CCC-SLP
Bethany Graham is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University in 2016. She has one year of experience in the school setting and six years of experience across a variety of medical settings, including inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient adult therapy, home health, and outpatient pediatric services.
Bethany has additional training in:
Child-led play-based speech and language therapy
Introduction and implementation of Augmentative and Alternative communication devices (AAC)
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy approaches
Family-centered approaches and involvement in the evaluation and treatment process.
Outside of work, Bethany enjoys spending time with her husband, their four children, and their sweet senior dog. Together, they love attending community events, making memories with family and friends, and taking on home improvement projects around their home.
Jennifer Drees, MOT, OTR/L
Jennifer graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, with a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy. She has a passion for supporting children and their families during the early years of development. She specializes in working with children from birth to age six, helping them build the foundational skills they need to grow, play, and thrive! She owns her own practice in Russia, Ohio called Nurture Pediatric Occupational Therapy.
Jennifer has additional training in:
Primitive Reflex Integration
Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
Total Motion Release (TMR tots level 1)
The Vaughn Approach to Pediatric Bodywork
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTS)
Sensory-Motor Feeding Therapy
Adaptive Baby Lead Weaning
Sensory Processing and Nervous System Regulation
Outside of her work as a pediatric occupational therapist, Jennifer enjoys quality time with her husband and staying busy with their two young boys. Most weekends you’ll find her with an iced coffee, a go-to podcast, and a home renovation project in motion. It’s a busy season of life, but a beautiful one.
“Kelly has been a terrific resource to us and has helped us in our journey to understanding the world of raising an autistic child and learning how to communicate with him. Kelly truly cares about her patients and it shows in her work.”
