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!

**Melissa is NOT accepting new clients at this time.**

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)