New Hope Speech and Occupational Therapy

09/03/2026

We want to officially welcome our new occupational therapist, Caeli, to our team! Caeli started this week and has been a great addition to the team so far. She had a lot of pediatric experience and has immediate openings- reach out to get on her schedule!

08/04/2026

✨ We're so excited to welcome a new Occupational Therapist to our team this September!

With another OT joining us, we'll have more appointment availability for evaluations and ongoing therapy. If you've been thinking about getting your child started with occupational therapy, now is a great time to reach out and get on the schedule before those openings fill.

We can't wait to introduce you to our newest team member soon!

07/30/2026

There is a virtual post-secondary transition support meeting TONIGHT through the ASK Resource Center! Connect with mentors and other family members as you share experiences, questions, and resources. To register, visit:

Join ASK’s virtual support group to connect with other parents, share experiences, and get support in a safe, welcoming space.

07/29/2026

Progress doesn't always look like the big milestones everyone talks about.

Sometimes it's putting on shoes without a fight. Trying a new food. Asking for help instead of getting frustrated. Sitting through dinner. Brushing teeth with fewer tears. Making it through a transition a little more smoothly.

Those moments might seem small, but they're a big deal. We know how much time, patience, and hard work goes into each one, and we love celebrating them with our families.

💚 What's one thing your child did this week that made you think, "They're making progress"? We'd love to celebrate with you in the comments!

07/09/2026

Therapy is all about helping kids build skills while celebrating who they are. Today we had a very special visitor - the King of Pop! 🎤🕺 From moonwalking to the iconic lean, this session was full of movement, confidence, and plenty of smiles. We love seeing kids bring their personalities into therapy!

06/22/2026

Did you know that scheduling Occupational Therapy before Speech Therapy can be a great way to support success?

Many children benefit from sensory activities that help their bodies and brains feel organized, regulated, and ready to learn. During OT sessions, children may engage in movement activities, heavy work, sensory play, or calming strategies that help them achieve an optimal level of alertness and attention.

When children enter their speech session feeling more regulated, they may be better able to:
✨ Attend to tasks
✨ Participate in conversations
✨ Follow directions
✨ Manage frustration
✨ Communicate their thoughts and ideas

Every child is different, but a coordinated therapy approach can help set the stage for meaningful learning and participation across sessions. We love collaborating to help our clients be successful!

06/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming Jack from Des Moines University Doctor of Occupational Therapy to our team! 🎉
He will be completing a 12-week fieldwork experience with our occupational therapy department. We're excited to have him learning, growing, and supporting our clients alongside our OT. Welcome, Jack!

05/11/2026

The Iowa Cubs are hosting a sensory friendly game on Sunday June 7th! ⚾️💙 Events like this help make community experiences more accessible and welcoming for all families. Be sure to check it out if your child benefits from a more sensory-considerate environment!

05/04/2026

🎲 Speech Tip of the Week: The “Wrong Way” Game!
Kids LOVE when adults make silly mistakes - so use it to build language!

Try doing something the wrong way on purpose:
🍌 Put a banana peel in your mouth instead of the banana
👟 Put shoes on your hands
📚 Hold a book upside down
Then pause and see what your child does!

This encourages them to:
👉 notice differences
👉 use words to correct you (“nooo!”, “that’s silly!”, “wrong way!”)
👉 expand language through laughter and engagement

✨ The more playful you are, the more they’ll want to communicate!
Silly moments = powerful speech practice 💬

05/02/2026

Kelsey is out at the fair grounds this morning at the Together We Can conference representing New Hope Speech and Occupational Therapy! Looking forward to connecting with Iowa families about our resources- and connecting with other resources while she is there!

Reach out to our office for your speech or occupational therapy needs! We have immediate openings!