About Ellen

Hi, I’m Ellen Cullen, OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCP, pediatric occupational therapist, educator, product creator, and founder of JustGrowPlay.

JustGrowPlay was created from a simple belief:
Children grow best when learning feels meaningful, playful, relational, and connected to everyday life.

For years, I have worked alongside children, families, and teachers in both school and private practice settings, helping children build the skills needed to participate more confidently and successfully in daily life. My work focuses on fine motor development, self-help skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and participation through occupation-based and relationship-centered approaches.

As a board-certified pediatric occupational therapist, I also provide Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) for individuals with Tourette syndrome and tic disorders, supporting clients and families through practical, strengths-based strategies grounded in everyday routines and real-life participation.

What drives my work is the belief that children are far more than a list of behaviors, delays, or deficits. Every child brings unique strengths, motivations, relationships, experiences, and ways of engaging with the world. Rather than focusing only on isolated skills, I look at the whole child, including relationships, environment, routines, regulation, and daily occupations, to support authentic participation across everyday life.

In addition to direct therapy services, I create practical tools and resources designed to help children develop skills through play, creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning. Products like the utility-patented Peg in the Egg were developed directly from real clinical experience and real classroom needs, combining motor learning, engagement, and play in ways that feel natural and motivating for children.

I am especially passionate about helping parents, teachers, and therapists better understand the “why” behind a child’s challenges and strengths. Through collaboration, coaching, and education, my goal is to help the adults supporting children feel more confident, empowered, and equipped to foster growth in meaningful and sustainable ways.

My work is influenced by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), the Intentional Relationship Model (IRM), and occupation-based coaching approaches that value authentic participation, supportive relationships, and the importance of everyday experiences in child development.

At JustGrowPlay, the mission is simple:
To help children grow with confidence, connection, creativity, and joy through meaningful play and everyday participation.