Hey! I'm Melissa Hokeness, and I am a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Little Thriver’s Occupational Therapy Services LLC. Little Thriver’s has contracted with Speech Therapy Solutions to offer OT services to Princeton and surrounding communities!

About Me: 

I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Minnesota State University Mankato, followed by receiving my Masters in Occupational Therapy from Minnesota State University- Rochester in 2015. For the past 10 years I have immersed myself within the world of occupational therapy through the lens of a child in both the outpatient and school-based settings. 

Pediatric OT’s specialize in learning through play while focusing on developing social skills, emotional regulation skills, fine motor skills, self-help skills, sensory processing development, and much more.

I currently work at Rum River Special Education Co-op, where I am lucky enough to get to work

with kids across many school districts. I love working in the schools because I get to experience first-hand the realities of the daily struggles while engaging with a team to promote success and meet the needs of each child. 

Although I work full-time in the schools, I would like to offer more support by providing outpatient services for our community that allows a “deeper” dive into interventions and curriculums to foster the skills needed to be the BEST we can be. 

When I am not working, you can find me spending time with my family. My husband and I live in Zimmerman, MN. We have 2 kids ages 5 and 3. Our family LOVES to be outside and spending time at the cabin. 

OT Certifications & Trainings:

Beckmen Oral Motor

Blomberg Rhythmic Movement

PAMs Certified 

Experienced with Occupational Therapy Interventions

Therapeutic listening

Handwriting without Tears

Mission Statement: 

It is my mission to provide occupational therapy services that empower children to THRIVE by fostering self-regulation & social skills, enhancing fine motor skills, and promoting overall well-rounded kiddo's in a supportive environment.

What will OT services focus on? 

  • Self Regulation Skills 

    • Learn how to identify how our body is feeling

    • Learn how to regulate how we are feeling & arousal level by using coping tools

  • Social Skills

    • Practice social skills through directed/coached play (i.e. taking turns, sharing, using our words to express wants/needs, building friendships)  

  • Fine Motor Skills

    • Work on cutting, coloring, grasp patterns, manipulation skills (fasteners)

    • Improve hand strength

    • Handwriting skills

  • Sensory processing

    • Engage in sensory play

    • Learn about sensory processing (overreactors, under-reactors, seekers)