Speech Therapy Solutions - MN

10/09/2025

How does one not smile all day, when a little one comes in with this sweet little gift??? 💐 🌺


Topped with this weekly win today: a little one LOOKED at me and said “BYE” for the first time ever. They were maybe met with loud excitement, but they REPEATED IT for mom (because she was busy doing mom things and missed it) … 🤩🤘✌️👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼

10/04/2025

See you all tomorrow!!

10/01/2025

Melissa has been hard at “play” this month!! Wondering about OT services? Set up a phone consultation with Melissa here…

https://alaina-verkinnes.clientsecure.me/

09/29/2025

🍂 Fall Sensory Bin Fun! 🍁

Looking for an easy, sensory-based activity that sparks creativity and builds language skills? Try this DIY Fall Sensory Bin using items you already have at home! 🙌

✨ What you’ll need:
• A bin filled with dried corn, rice, or beans
• Scoops, cups, and spoons
• Fall-themed items: mini pumpkins, pinecones, leaves, toy animals

🎯 Why we love it:
This simple setup encourages hands-on play and boosts language development!

🗣️ Language opportunities:
👉 Action words: scoop, pour, dump, hide, find
👉 Concepts: full/empty, big/small, in/out
👉 Functional phrases: “More corn,” “Help me,” “I want a scoop”

Perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and curious little hands 🍁💬

09/19/2025

🌟 Exciting News for Our Community! 🌟

We’re raising funds to build an inclusive playground—a place where ALL kids can play, grow, and make memories together. Every child deserves a safe, welcoming space to swing, climb, and laugh with friends, and this project will make that possible. 🧡🖤🧡🖤

Let’s come together as a community and create something truly special—because play has no limits. 🛝✨

As of September 15, we’ve raised $33,466 toward our ultimate goal of $350,000. We plan to apply for a matching grant through Lion’s International once we’re closer to our halfway mark of $175,000. In the meantime, we’ll keep applying for grants, fundraising, and partnering with local businesses. Donations can be made through this link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/4W9BKD43RNHCQ.

Our next fundraiser is the Princeton Tigers Car Show on October 5th. 🚗 🚙 🏍
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EnMKRzzUw/?mibextid=wwXIfr. Please come check it out and share this event!

More details about the Princeton Inclusive Playground project can be found at our website: https://www.princetoninclusiveplayground.org/

Thank you for your support! ❤

09/16/2025

🌟 **Welcome Our New OT!** 🌟

We’re excited to introduce **Melissa Hokeness, MS, OTR/L** from Little Thrivers OT Services , to our clinic team! With 10 years of experience in both outpatient and school-based settings, Melissa is passionate about helping kids grow through play while building skills in social/emotional regulation, fine motor development, self-help, sensory processing, and more.

She currently works full-time at Rum River Special Education Co-op and is now offering **outpatient pediatric OT services in our clinic** to provide even more support for families in our community.

👩‍👩‍👧 Outside of work, Melissa lives in Zimmerman with her husband and two kids (ages 5 & 3). Her family loves the outdoors and cabin time!

📅 **Now accepting new OT clients!**
Visit our website to schedule a phone consultation.
https://alaina-verkinnes.clientsecure.me/

Read her full BIO here: https://www.mnspeechtherapysolutions.com/oturl

Help us give Melissa a warm welcome! 💙

08/21/2025

I had to 😂😂😂

08/14/2025

I love my job!! Some days you learn 8 new fun facts about pigeons … IYKYK

08/02/2025

🗣️ Trying to figure out if your insurance covers speech therapy? You’re not alone—many parents feel overwhelmed when it comes time to call their insurance provider. But with the right questions (and a little prep), you can get the answers you need and advocate confidently for your child.

I’ve put together a step-by-step blog post to help you know exactly what to say when calling your insurance company about speech therapy coverage—plus a list of key questions to ask. 💬📞

➡️ Read the full guide here:

Navigating health insurance can feel overwhelming—especially when you're advocating for your child. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), I often hear from parents who are unsure how to begin the process of determining whether their child’s speech therapy services will be covered. While every ...

06/17/2025

Tomorrow, Speech Therapy Solutions is sponsoring the brewed coffee at Coffee Corner! So, turn off your coffee pots at home, stop by the Coffee Corner in Princeton, and enjoy a brewed cup of coffee on us!! ☕️

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads I’m lucky to know out there!! Number one answer to what your kids say they’re doing is:

doing whatever you love to do WITH YOU!!

Your kids are excited to go fishing or biking or gardening or golfing or whatever it is they know you love. Enjoy the day!! This one’s for the dads!!

06/05/2025

🎉 Duck Days at Speech Therapy Solutions! 🎉

Duck Days is more than just a local loony time— it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and quackin’ good times! This year, I’m proud to add a splash of color to the festivities with a custom-painted window, inspired by the spirit of our town and, of course… ducks!

👉 “Every Duck Has a Voice.”

Let’s get quacking, Princeton! 💛🦆💙

Also, look for me tonight as I’ll be in the parade with the group from the Princeton Inclusive Playground!!