Occupational Therapy

A young boy with headphones sitting on an adult's lap, holding a small white and blue robot toy, with a focused expression. The adult, a woman, is leaning over him, watching him closely. They are in an indoor setting with framed wall decorations in the background.

At Prairie Grit Therapy, our Occupational Therapy team creates a warm, playful, and engaging environment where your child can thrive. Through fun, child-centered activities, we focus on helping your little one develop essential skills like sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, visual motor and perceptual abilities, feeding, self-care, and self-regulation. What makes us truly special is the way we use the incredible spaces within the YMCA—like the basketball court, climbing wall, track, and swimming pool—to bring therapy to life in real-world settings. We make each session exciting and meaningful for your child’s unique journey.

A young girl wearing a pink jacket and black pants rock climbing on an indoor climbing wall with colorful holds.
A person wearing an astronaut helmet and orange t-shirt is being assisted by a woman with long red hair and a pink shirt during a therapeutic activity in a gymnasium.

Therapy as unique as your child

At Prairie Grit Therapy, we go beyond traditional occupational therapy by offering a variety of specialized treatments tailored to meet each child’s unique needs. Our skilled therapists are trained in astronaut training, which helps improve balance and coordination, as well as picky eating programs that make mealtimes more enjoyable. We also offer support for sensory processing challenges and help with handwriting skills, making everyday tasks easier and more manageable. With full access to the YMCA’s incredible facilities—including the climbing wall, basketball court, and pool—we can create a dynamic, specialized environment that brings therapy to life, helping your child reach their full potential in a fun, supportive way.

  • Signs your child may benefit from OT include difficulty with tasks like holding a pencil, dressing, using utensils, trouble focusing, sensitivity to textures, or frequent meltdowns in unfamiliar environments. A pediatrician or therapist can evaluate if OT is necessary.

    We have a development milestone guide to help you understand where we would expect your child based on age.

  • OT sessions for children are typically play-based and engaging, using fun activities to improve their skills. The therapist may use games, obstacle courses, or hands-on activities like coloring or puzzles to work on specific developmental areas. At Prairie Grit Therapy the sessions will be curated to fit the needs and interests of your child.

  • That depends. You will need a referral from your family physician for a full evaluation. However, if you are unsure if occupational therapy is the right fit for your child we offer free and easy screenings to help. Screenings do not need a referral.

  • Every child is unique and so are their needs. Broadly speaking, most children can benefit from outpatient occupational therapy even if they are receiving therapy at school. While school-based therapy focuses on helping students succeed in their educational environment, outpatient therapy can provide additional support tailored to your child’s specific needs.

    Outpatient therapy often includes a more individualized approach and can address a wider range of goals, such as fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-care skills, and social interactions. It also allows for greater flexibility in scheduling and the opportunity to work with specialized therapists who may have different expertise than those available at school.

Development Milestones