Hayden’s Success Story:
“Hayden had extreme food intake limitations and lack of self-awareness of his body in motion was extremely dangerous. He lacerated his pancreas (grade type 3) and broke his arm “playing”. Since coming to ‘Ohana, Hayden is able to eat/try many foods with the tools we’ve been given. He’s able to be out of sight and play in our yard (almost 10) without injuring himself. We have gained tools to help Hayden and now understand why, in some circumstances, his reactions are the way they are. He’s made leaps and bounds in progress! ‘Ohana really has well rounded therapy (social, emotional and behavioral)! I always tell parents with our type of struggles how amazing ‘Ohana is and how much it has changed Hayden’s life.”
Sefton’s Success Story:
When we first started, Sefton really struggled with water getting on his face. Bath time was a struggle with screaming terror if any drips landed on or near his face. This affected his ability to pass swim lessons. Changes in Sefton have resulted in reduced hand fidgeting. He no longer uses his “hand car lights” (hands held up, opening/closing) when he was in new or uncomfortable situations. His hand/eye coordination has improved. ‘Ohana, for the past year has been a positive routine in our week. Abigail, Sefton’s OT, has celebrated with us milestones such as graduating to a two-wheel bike, losing teeth, etc. We love that ‘Ohana has an open and inviting space to help Sefton develop but also be himself and mostly have fun. It was never a problem getting Sefton to his appointments.
Nolan’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana we had so many concerns with Nolan. His poor behavior, aggression, and energy levels resulted in not only a challenging home life, but being “fired” from his long-time daycare which was truly eye-opening. Every second of every day was a struggle. We’ve seen so many changes since coming to ‘Ohana! He is now able to play independently, we have very few episodes of anger or aggression, tantrums are almost non-existent. He isn’t physically mean towards me anymore. He is able to veer from routine without distress and interact in the community properly and isn’t getting into trouble in school. Home isn’t full of yelling, crying, or stress anymore. Everything is easier. Everyone at ‘Ohana is so caring. But Cailyn? You found a true gem in Cailyn. She is an AMAZING therapist and was absolutely born to do this. She was not only there for Nolan, but for me as well. She always went above and beyond for our family and for that I will forever be thankful. Keep doing what you all are doing! Mahalo!”
Brycen’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Brycen were focus in school, choice making/safety choices. Since coming to ‘Ohana, he is slowing down to think about his choices. He is more confident in his ADHD being a positive thing for him to be able to think outside the box. ‘Ohana and Anita have given him more coping skills on how to handle his mind and body in all situations but especially stressful situations like classroom test taking or hard friend times. I have always loved how ‘Ohana involves the parents and educates us about why they are doing certain stretches or exercises. I love getting work sheets to take home to help bridge the gap between no appointments. I absolutely love Anita. She was a great match to keep him chill and calm every week.”
Harli’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Harli were angry outbursts, unaware of danger, and not working well in the daycare/preschool setting. Since coming to ‘Ohana, she rarely has angry outbursts now and pays better attention to surroundings and has been successful in preschool. ‘Ohana has impacted my family’s life by giving our child the tools and resources to grow and make our day-to-day life more manageable. I like that ‘Ohana OT is flexible for the child adapting to their wants and needs as the session goes as daily behaviors can be unpredictable.”
Milo’s Success Story:
“Before starting with ‘Ohana, Milo had difficulty with any changes to his daily routine. He frequently had meltdowns and took a very long time to recover from them. He also was bothered by loud noises and refused to try new foods. He struggled socially as well- not really playing with other kids nor interacting with them. We’ve seen so many changes!! Milo now is able to walk into a social situation (kindergarten, summer day camp, etc.) and make friends. Overall he just seems happier, able to regulate big emotions and doesn’t become frustrated as often by small changes to his routine. ‘Ohana has provided a safe space for us to ask for help. Orlando is someone we turn to for questions and concerns – he has been an incredibly positive and important person in Milo’s life for the past year and a half. Everyone who works at ‘Ohana is extraordinary. Your patience and compassion with our son is so appreciated! I also want to give a shout out to Mark, who is always keeping us updated on insurance issues. There are never any surprises which helps so much with our financial planning.”
Noelle’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Noelle were lack of confidence, clumsiness, trouble regulating emotions, getting down on herself, food aversions, overly sensitive to fabrics and hair brushing and a lot of fear/overwhelm and panicking was happening at school. ‘Ohana has helped her become more confident and open to trying new foods and experiences. She has a much better understanding of how her body works and everyday is easier. She has learned how to ride a bike which we couldn’t previously accomplish. Orlando used a few methods and was great at helping her get there. The family has learned how to support and understand what she needs from us and how to be encouraging. Noelle doesn’t feel like she’s doing things wrong all the time anymore. The therapist and staff are incredible people who are fantastic at what they do.” – Melanie (Mom)
Haiden’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Haiden were his behavior (hitting and defiance), jumping and crashing, difficulty in large groups and with family outings, and bedwetting. ‘Ohana has helped Haiden become better equipped and prepared for family outings and large group situations. He is more responsive and follows directions. He has learned a safe outlet for all of his jumping and crashing needs. We can now plan fun family outings! We have learned about Haiden’s needs and what we can do to make the day successful and he has learned tools for these activities. Haiden has really grown with ‘Ohana! ‘Ohana has given him and our family wonderful tools and he has had SO much fun! Keep up the great work!” – Kaylen (Mom)
Lucas’ Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Lucas was having sudden outbursts, wouldn’t sit still for more than a minute, and wouldn’t follow multi-step instructions. He was so hyperactive before and did not have the ability to sit still very long so getting things done in the house was impossible without one adult constantly watching him – he was very unsafe. Since coming to ‘Ohana, his sudden outbursts have gotten way better and when they do happen he was taught tricks to help lessen them. He is not as hyperactive and can entertain himself well making safer choices so we can get things done. He is able to sit still and focus more now for longer periods of time. He is able to follow multi-step instructions more consistently now since he has less outbursts and sits longer. We are able to eat at restaurants, go to movies and do family functions. With him following multi-step instructions, we can get our stuff done like getting ready for the day or cleaning the house without having to watch him every step of the way. I love how safe they made him feel when we were in such a dark place/hard time. I love how neuro-affirming they are and things I never thought we’d be able to do, we are doing.” – Bryan (Dad)
Noah’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Noah were his school behaviors such as getting angry and throwing things, hiding, and screaming and crying. Noah is now able to be in noisy, crowded environments within school and he doesn’t scream anymore. His anger has decreased and he tries using his calming down techniques. Noah is more comfortable and confident being at school. It has decreased stress in the family by not receiving calls at home from teachers or principals. We have all learned patience and techniques to cool down and have helped each other to help Noah progress. I like everybody’s kind, welcoming faces the moment we walk in. Noah’s had so much fun and looks forward to every week to come in and play while he is developing skills.” – Melissa (Mom)
Amanda’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, I startled very easily (loud screeching, screaming and yelping). I had a lot of trouble multitasking. I had little to no independence and got stressed/overwhelmed easily. ‘Ohana has helped my self-confidence improve significantly. I can multitask a lot better and have tools to help relieve stress. I don’t startle nearly as severely and don’t screech anymore. I have a lot of my independence back. The house is calmer. Life feels a lot smoother than what it used to feel like. The environment at ‘Ohana is nice and fun, and the therapists are kind, patient, gentle, encouraging and honest.” – Amanda
Gracen’s Success Story:
Hailey’s Success Story:
“Before coming to Ohana, I was having really bad behaviors and now I am not having as many behaviors. Ohana has helped me feel more at peace with my body. I like how they always make me feel like a person.” – Hailey
Damian’s Success Story:
“When Damian started at ‘Ohana, he had problems with active listening, staring at nothing, limited food options, balance, interactions with others and hyperactivity. Now he has more active listening, is trying new foods, balance has improved, he is not scared to try new things, is interacting better with others and has a more calm body. Ms Janna was amazing with Damian. Taught him many new obstacles to overcome and had so much patience and was able to get his attention. Damian has improved in most areas of interaction and behavior. I like the staff and how attentive they are to the needs of the kids”
Beau’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Beau was arguing a lot, not waiting patiently, and laying all over things. Now he has been arguing less and can sit longer without laying down on the floor. The progress I’ve seen in Beau has helped our family with going out to eat and family functions and he is able to tolerate these events better. He can sit longer in class at school and is less likely to bother his classmates during class.”
Thomas’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Thomas were his explosive behavior at home and school, hitting, crying, and the need for tons of physical movement and crashing into things. Some of the changes we’ve seen are now, he is much more calm, able to regulate emotions, and far less conflict at home and school. His balance has improved and he can ride a bike! We’ve found some veggies he’ll eat. He doesn’t crash into things like he used to. Home is much more peaceful. He seems more grounded and at ease. Self-care things like nails and hair cutting are no longer a battle. I appreciate how helpful our time has been and how much fun he has had at ‘Ohana.”
Jayce’s Success Story:
Brooklyn’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Brooklyn were anger, communication, sensory concerns, clumsiness, no personal space, and getting frustrated easily. We’ve seen some positive changes in her and she is kind and happy, has been trying new foods, is able to express feelings better, and stays calm when frustrated. Her awareness of personal space has also improved. Brooklyn is a happy, kind girl who is willing to try food. We are able to go out and have fun without meltdowns or frustration. ‘Ohana gave us the tools we needed to help support her. Our household is so much happier. Hearing from others worked well since it wasn’t coming from her parents. The staff is amazing and really wants to help our family succeed and gave us the tools we needed. The staff is easy to talk to, discuss goals, and work well together. We are going to miss coming and seeing everyone!”
Samson’s Success Story:
“When Samson started at ‘Ohana he was having behavioral and sensory issues (touch, taste, noise). He was overstimulated easily. Now he responds better to change/compromise; willing to try new foods; able to play games with friends (better at accepting loss); overall less combative. We are experiencing fewer altercations in almost every aspect from waking up in the morning, to going to bed at night and everything in between. We were very well educated throughout our time at ‘Ohana. It’s not JUST for the kiddos… It’s for the parents, too. Samson improved through activity and exercises provided to him, but we (his parents) were able to understand the “why” behind his actions, and provide a better home and family environment for him to thrive and satisfy what his body and mind needed. We are very grateful OT was recommended to us, more so that we went on this journey with ‘Ohana. We really love the family feel –every person from the front desk to OTA’s make you feel at home and comfortable from the time you walk through the door this makes for an easy transition from whatever we had going on prior to our appointment time. Keep doing what you are doing!”
Eva’s Success Story:
“My main concern with Eva was that she would be able to use her hand. ‘Ohana has helped her become more confident and she does more than what she used to do. ‘Ohana has helped me understand more of what is happening with her, not just her hand. We love everything at Ohana. They make it very fun and interesting. You always explain what you are doing with her.”
Aurora’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Aurora were screaming, issues with wearing clothes and getting dressed, and acting out. Since coming to ‘Ohana, we’ve seen an improved attitude, she’s able to get dressed more easily and is willing to stay dressed. We’ve had less issues with materials bothering her skin. We’ve only seen improvements and positive impacts from our time at ‘Ohana. We love everything and everyone!”
Cade’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Cade were separation, anxiety, behavior issues/defiance, potty training, and eating. He has become way more confident and way less anxious. He goes to school and the doctor without any issues. He has been improving with trying new things. ‘Ohana has provided us with tools to use at home and has given Cade more structure. He has also learned to be comfortable with taking directions from someone other than me. I love how everything that is therapeutic is also play. Cade has overcome many obstacles just by playing with a purpose. Plus, he loves coming to OT so getting here has never been a battle.”
Jeremy’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Jeremy was fighting with his sister and we were dealing with ODD, ADHD, and potential autism symptoms. We’ve seen improvement with coping techniques and ‘Ohana has given us tools as a family to work towards goals – not just Jeremy. We like how ‘Ohana is so family oriented and understanding when it’s easier to work solo with Jeremy versus with his sister.”
Gracelyn’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Gracie struggled to maintain focus in various activities. She has learned new methods to combat her struggles. She’s much more aware of the challenges that she faces, and she has new tools. ‘Ohana has helped our kids be more successful in their day-to-day life. We appreciate Cailyn and her drive to help us find solutions and be a problem solver with us.”
Charlie’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Charlie were public and personal safety. Charlie no longer runs away in parking lots and she’s able to cope better with her anger. ‘Ohana has become family and we looked forward to our visits. ‘Ohana gave us comfort and acceptance in all situations. Stay amazing!”
Ryker’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Ryker were a lot of negative social behavior, impulsive actions, and reaching out physically. He is now more aware of social awareness with people and knows more appropriate social behavior and is more respectful with people and changes. It has been amazing to work with ‘Ohana and its employees and therapists. We have learned so much on how to solve so many problems and it has made a huge growth impact on our family. I can’t tell you enough how it has helped physically and emotionally!” – Alicia (Mom)
Bryce’s Success Story:
“When we started, Bryce had no impulse control. He fidgeted constantly and had a very hard time listening. He also had issues with interacting with children his age socially and emotionally. Bryce has come so far. He is able to sit down for longer periods of time in Kinder. He is not as reactive and thinks before he does. He is also making so many great friends who he loves to be around and vice versa. We are able to go out on family outings without too many issues. He is able to listen better on safety situations, like in parking lots. He reads his siblings’ social cues better. ‘Ohana is amazing! They have helped in so many ways. Cailyn is so patient and kind to Bryce. She is able to read when he is at his limit and pushes him when she knows he can give more. She is also a shoulder to cry on when I felt defeated in this process.”
Xavier’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Xavier were no self-control, meltdowns, safety problems, and he was not self-aware. He now has self-soothing techniques and has significantly reduced meltdowns and is more self-aware. ‘Ohana has taught us as a family to help Xavier to go through his meltdowns and promote self-awareness, self-soothing and promote his independence. I love ‘Ohana’s way to approach my child’s needs like getting him to stim with healthy techniques like spandex, music, obstacle courses and target the problems one at a time like controlling meltdowns, facing fears, setting goals and achieving them.” – Samantha (Mom)
Ali’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Ali was very impatient and wouldn’t take no for an answer. We’ve seen an improvement in his behavior and he is calmer. ‘Ohana has helped Ali improve his concentration.”
Keaton’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Keaton were self-harming, antisocial tendencies, and toileting issues. We’ve seen a major reduction in self-harming and he has become very social. ‘Ohana has helped Keaton greatly with his social skills. It has helped me and his father understand what additional things we can do to help him get through some of his harder days. I love the calmness and the staff. You all are great at answering questions that may arise. You are all awesome!”
Santiago’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Santiago was that he was having trouble trying new things and activities such as climbing and going down slides. Now he can do the activities he was having trouble with. ‘Ohana has had a big impact on everyday activities with Santi. We like the way ‘Ohana approaches Santi’s problems and helps him overcome them.”
Eleanor’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Eleanor were poor coordination, social skills, food aversions, and muscle tone. ‘Ohana has helped Eleanor become more social, she has much better balance, better core strength and is able to adapt to new environments a bit quicker. She listens to other adults without an outburst more often. ‘Ohana has given her an activity to look forward to each week and she is more willing to try new foods and does better socially. ‘Ohana is very welcoming and they try to help with issues outside of therapy when able (referrals and recommendations etc).” – Rachel(Mom)
Isabel’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Isabel were problems with fine & gross motor skills which were limiting her abilities as a student. She also had limited social skills with others not in her family. ‘Ohana has helped Isabel and she is significantly more expressive in her needs and wants. She has also improved her muscle control (both fine/gross) so that she is able to do things that were once very difficult for her. Her reflexes and balance have also improved greatly. Isabel looks forward to coming to sessions. She is also encouraging her siblings to work with her and this has continued to build their relationship. She uses her skills to help express her needs and wants at home too. ‘Ohana has been a great place where Isabel has blossomed. She has gained confidence in her abilities with practice at home and in sessions. She is welcomed and listened to every time.”
Lennon’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns when with Lennon were difficulty coping with transitions and high stimuli. He had issues with balance and coordination. He had minimal social skills and had difficulty with independent play. ‘Ohana has helped Lennon (& Mom and Dad) learn many techniques to help calm his body in mind when environments and stimuli become overwhelming. His reactions have become less intense and he has been easier to communicate with. We have gained more insight to Lennon’s needs so that we can be more attentive to them. We understand regular routine and practice will help him grow and succeed. OT has always been a positive experience that he looks forward to going each week. His therapist, Janna, is energetic and positive. Lennon feeds off that energy. Thanks for making this a great experience. Thank you for meeting expectations and needs.”
Oliver’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, we were really unable to function as a family. Everyday things were stressful and difficult. Getting ready in the morning, visiting stores, traveling, brushing teeth – all resulted in excessive behavior. Now, Oliver is much more calm and willing to try and self-regulate. His tolerance for heat, cold, and hunger has built up. He is much more likely to allow the adults in his life to help him self-regulate. ‘Ohana OT has had a major impact on our family’s life. We have been taught so many different ways to help support our child and given resources to take home and educate the other adults in Oliver’s life about his needs. We love our therapist, Miss Anita. She is warm, kind and has bonded with our son. We love how relaxed and inviting the office is. Our son really enjoys coming to play. We hope someday you can expand your office and staff since we know how great of a need occupational therapy is in our area. We cannot recommend you enough!”
Weston’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Weston were that he was always fidgety, loud, non-attentive, and overall didn’t seem to be able to control his body most of the time. We’ve seen many improvements in fine motor skills, balance, safety consciousness, control of body and focus. With Weston having more control of his body, we don’t have to stress out about constantly getting on him about his behavior. He also acts safer so we can trust him to do more things by himself or with his sister. He’s able to focus better at school and when doing other extracurricular activities. We’ve loved that, from the beginning, everyone was so nice and helpful. They make you feel at home. Having a warm welcome and someone who doesn’t get frustrated when working with Weston really helped him feel more comfortable with what he was doing at OT. We appreciate all that you have done for our family!”
Camden’s Success Story:
Braden’s Success Story:
Before coming to ‘Ohana, Braden was physically, socially and emotionally awkward and his body to brain connection seemed out of sync. This caused him to be wary of trying new things and challenges. Changes have been evident on every level. Physically – Braden is more coordinated, confident and fluid in his movement. Socially – he excelled at fish camp, summer swim team, trying watersports, fishing on his own, and trying new foods at home and out. Emotionally – Braden has been able to face challenging situations with poise and maturity. ‘Ohana has impacted us from day one changing the way we thought of OT and of Braden‘s abilities and challenges. Instead of working from a place of what he can’t or won’t do, we embrace what he IS doing – Positivity. We like that ‘Ohana is casual, adaptive, individualized, positivity-based, therapy is fun, no fear. It has opened us up to a new way of thinking. ‘Ohana has engaged OT specialists that taught our son to accept and trust the process equals RESULTS. – Lisa (Mom)
Silas’ Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Silas were being able to adapt to a schedule and transitioning to next steps. ‘Ohana has helped him seem more calm, better communication skills, play safely with peers, balance and dressing have improved. ‘Ohana has not only had a positive impact on Silas but with ourselves using co-regulation. The Ohana staff is very positive and patient. Very helpful! Keep up the great work!” – Ruben (Dad)
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Sophia were headbanging, sensory issues, and balance. Sophia no longer head bangs, her sensory issues are way better and balance is 90% better. ‘Ohana has had a huge impact and has given our family the tools to properly address the issues with Sophia and it’s made it so much easier. I love all the therapists and all the staff go out of their way to help you.” – Rebekah (Mom)
Emma’s Success Story:
“Before coming to Ohana, our main concerns with Emma were loud noises, stress, anxiety, and picking her nails. ‘Ohana has helped Emma be able to handle loud noises. Now she uses her coping skills well that she has learned. She still deals with stress and anxiety but she also uses coping skills. She no longer picks at her nails. We are able to do many more activities outside our home and yard. Emma seems to be enjoying life a lot more when we are out and about in the community. Ohana has been a great experience for Emma. She’s more prepared to handle everyday life situations.”
Aurora’s Success Story:“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Aurora wasn’t able to speak and it was very difficult for her at the beginning of therapy because she was really shy. Aurora had a big change. She is more confident and strong. Every step of therapy was really important. ‘Ohana OT was really important to us, we saw a big change in Aurora. It was not easy at the beginning, but the people at ‘Ohana helped us a lot. The staff is amazing – they give us a lot of tools and advice for supporting Aurora and her therapy. You are doing extraordinary work!” – Dennis (Dad)
Nick’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Nick were his ongoing sensory issues and social issues as well as his balance and strength. He has greatly improved his ability to cope with stressors and stimuli. ‘Ohana has helped my son learn how to navigate stressors much better so that he can move through his day. ‘Ohana is warm and welcoming. It is a place where Nick felt at home.” – Julia (Mom)
Sophia’s Success Story:
“Our main concerns with Sophia were that we were worried she would not develop the proper skills to communicate and relate to others. ‘Ohana has helped Sophia improve her physical abilities as well as her communication skills and has helped Sophia and us to be able to participate in more activities with her peers. We like the resources ‘Ohana has given us in order to help Sophia be the best she can be. She has made tremendous improvement. Everything has been great!” – Victor (Dad)
Syrex’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Syrex were safety concerns in the house and at school and behaviors and actions. He is now much more successful and is happy daily. He is more at peace and we have peace within the home. Ohana has helped tremendously. A lot of consistent behaviors are minimized and redirected easily due to the tools and consistency and advice given by ‘Ohana. The knowledge and diversity of tools offered has been very helpful. We appreciate the mellow environment and awesome staff.” – Sharlee (Mom)
Sebastian’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Sebastian were his behavior problems, defiance, impulse control, road safety, anger issues. Since coming to ‘Ohana, he has become a lot more aware of his surroundings which help with road safety and impulse control. He seems to have more control over his anger and his overall feeling. ‘Ohana has been great for me as well as Sebastian. I have learned a lot about how to parent his difficult behaviors and we have all learned so many helpful tools to be successful. The staff are amazing! I’m constantly impressed with your patience and knowledge.” – Amy (Mom)
Bailey’s Success Story:
Declan’s Success Story:
When Declan started at ‘Ohana, he had big reactions to touch (super ticklish, pain). He was having issues with body function regulation and emotional regulation. Now he is able to deal with touching sensations without being oversensitive and he is able to do activities without being extra sensitive to pain. He is more aware of his body functions. He is not having big, long, aggressive tantrums – less aggressive less often. The absence of his big tantrums has made life less stressful and much more positive. ‘Ohana has given us support and education to help Declan and has taught him how he can help himself. – Sarah (Mom)
Kade’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Kade were his anger, and taking things without permission. Now Kade is able to manage his anger on his own for the most part and is asking more instead of just taking. ‘Ohana has helped him tremendously. He is more appropriate socially and just a happier child at home. ‘Ohana explains why and how they are going to fix the issues our children have. It’s just amazing to see how the simplest things can change your child’s behavior.”
Joanna’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Joanna where her balance, food intake, and following directions. She is now trying various kinds of foods and her food intake has increased. She is able to wait for us and listen when we are talking to her. She is able to cope with herself when she feels overwhelmed. ‘Ohana has made it easier for us to do daily activities as a family and enjoy it without stressing about the kids being safe while they wait. We love the flexibility, friendliness and how easy my kids feel like they belong. They love coming and interacting with the staff.” – Maria (Mom)
Jorge’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Jorge was a very picky eater. Now he is open to trying new foods. ‘Ohana has made it easier to not be limited to only three kinds of meals.” – Jorge (Dad)
Elijah’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Elijah had a very restrictive diet and was unable to try new foods. He lacked social skills, had poor fine motor skills, and was unable to stay focused and accomplish tasks. He is now willingly able to explore and try new foods. He is able to interact appropriately with his peers and his conversational skills are better. He is more aware of his environment and what’s going on around him. ‘Ohana has impacted our family for the better! I feel he is more part of the family now, before he would isolate himself. He has come out of his shell and it’s pretty amazing! We are grateful for ‘Ohana. ‘Ohana is a fun, safe place and I would recommend it to any family who has a kid who is struggling to reach their full potential. I think you guys are doing great! Keep up the good work! Orlando is awesome, we will miss him and everyone at ‘Ohana! Thank you for everything!” – Amanda (Mom)
Tyla’s Success Story:
“Our primary concerns with Tyla before starting at ‘Ohana were her behavior, not listening, and tantrums. She no longer has tantrums and has better behavior now. ‘Ohana has helped me become less stressed and Tyla is happier.” -Susan (mom)
Finley’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Finley were her outbursts, balance, and social and emotional skills. ‘Ohana has helped her and I have seen her grow into a social example for her peers. She is more aware of her surroundings and gained an ability to know when it is appropriate to talk during conversations. Ohana has made my child’s self-esteem grow and she has gained more confidence. My family now has tools we need to help her when needed. ‘Ohana is a caring environment that makes you feel like family.” -Alicia (Mom)
Molly’s Success Story:
“Molly was dealing with sensory issues that were getting worse and interfering more with life and limiting activities. ‘Ohana has helped Molly be able to better deal with her sensory challenges –knowing what textures and circumstances might be triggering and having skills to deal with or avoid the triggers. She is less “jumpy” (scares easily). ‘Ohana has brought a great awareness to how our child experiences things differently than we do. Everyone is kind of positive, each child is able to progress at their own pace. It is a fun place to be. It doesn’t feel like work.” -Paula (mom)
Santiago’s Success Story:
“Before coming to Ohana, Santiago had a lot of social anxiety. He did not like being with big crowds or loud noises like hockey games or races. He had a lot of fear with potty training. He did not like interacting with new kids or adults. And also is a picky eater. He is absolutely more social now, and loves interacting with people. He no longer has social anxiety. He has tried new foods, does better at big events, and has no more fear of potty training or the shower head. He is not afraid to try new things like going on big slides, the space Needle etc. His strength and balance are so good. ‘Ohana has positively impacted our family in many ways. He is willing to try new things and is more social and is thriving so well at school. If it wasn’t for your help, he wouldn’t be where he is now! Thank you! I love everything about you guys! I’m an advocate for OT. I have told so many of my friends who are having issues and now they are not afraid to try that for their kids. You guys do so well and make therapy fun for the kids.” – Maria (Mom)
Gio’s Sucess Story:
Our main concerns with Giovanni before coming to ‘Ohana were his ability to self-regulate, anger and aggression, difficulty focusing, and getting along with other children. We’ve seen an improvement in his ability to self-regulate. He now gets along well with other children (no aggression towards other children anymore). He is also enjoying going to school. ‘Ohana has been amazing and has really changed things for the better. We enjoy going out and doing things as a family when before it was nearly impossible. All the staff is very nice and always trying to help and always able to give great suggestions on things and that help. We have learned a lot of different strategies to help him when he’s having an off day.” -Jayson & Shannon (parents)
Asher’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, I was concerned about Asher’s social interactions and his coordination. He struggled to notice social cues and I was concerned about how others would respond to him. ‘Ohana has helped him with his core strength and his coordination has dramatically improved. He also appears to better interact with peers and is learning to pay attention to their responses. I believe the time here has deepened his confidence and strengthened his core. I like the variety of activities in the personal touch. Anita has been lovely to us and sees Asher as he is. What a blessing!”
-Stephanie (mom)
Henry’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Henry was struggling with safety issues, impulse control, some hyperactivity, difficulties with behavior in public, and fine motor issues. We have seen significant improvement in all areas; improvement socially, more manageable behavior, improvement in school work and increased thinking before action. ‘Ohana has helped make things so much better. Parenting is easier and I don’t feel as desperate when he acts out. Things in general are more manageable. I love that when I got here I didn’t feel judged, but felt understood finally in regards to parenting a child with special needs. I love the relationship and bonds that form between therapists and my children. We are grateful that a place like this exists.” – Kristen (Mom)
Xavier’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, my son had significant trouble regulating his body and emotions. ‘Ohana has helped him learn self-regulation strategies and he is now better able to communicate his emotions. It is now easier for our family to enjoy activities together. ‘Ohana is a great environment for kids to feel safe, while they work on sensory and physical issues they may have.” -Terrence (Dad)
Silas’ Success Story:
“Prior to coming to Ohana, Silas struggled with focus, managing his moods/emotions, maintaining attention to tasks, and following multi-step instructions. He has definitely become more confident in his day to day life and I have seen a huge improvement in managing his emotions as well as following step-by-step multi-step instructions. We have a big family and with 3 boys in OT, we have all grown and learned. I especially have learned a lot about the different systems and the tools to keep improving.” – Amy (Mom)
Astilbe’s Success Story:
“When Astilbe started at ‘Ohana, she was having trouble in school understanding the order of things and processes. She was also starting to show signs that she was thinking/trying to do wasn’t lining up with her body’s movements. She was having trouble stopping activities to use the bathroom and getting the signal that she had to go. Now she pays much closer attention to directions and seems to know she “needs to get her wiggles out” to be able to pay attention and paying attention to knowing when she needs to use the bathroom has improved. It has been super positive and given us some tools to help Astilbe going forward. We love the obstacle courses, this has really up-ed our outdoor/family time game. We talk a lot about replicating what happened at ‘Ohana” – Kendra (Mom)
William’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our primary concerns with William were impulse control (hitting, pushing), inability to sit still for school work, emotion recognition and redirection, and focusing on an activity he does not want to do. Since coming to ‘Ohana, there has been much less hitting and crashing into others. He is starting to recognize his triggers before an outburst or meltdown. He can now follow multi-step directions. Most of the time William is much better at expressing his emotions and needs. ‘Ohana has a very welcoming and patient staff. Parents are involved and can learn many of the techniques to work at home.” – Joshua (Dad)
Logan’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our major concerns with Logan were major separation anxiety, hitting himself when extremely upset or frustrated, struggled with tolerating teeth-brushing and nail clipping. ‘Ohana has helped him in many ways and he now tolerates teeth brushing and nail clipping much better. He is able to go to places without me and plays with the neighbors. He no longer hits himself and plays nicely with his sister. Our life has become so much more pleasant since Logan has had numerous visits at ‘Ohana. He is able to calm himself with appropriate coping skills he’s learned. I love how much you truly care about the children and how much research has been put into the activities and skill building.” – Casey (Mom)
Cohen’s Success Story:
“Cohen came to ‘Ohana with concerns regarding sensitivity to light, sound, and certain textures (specifically paper products); and some OCD traits. Since participating in therapy at ‘Ohana, Cohen’s coping skills have very much improved (calm when seeing paper towels), as well as tolerating sound/light better and skills to handle when he is overwhelmed by these. Cohen has enjoyed coming to ‘Ohana over the last several months. With his ability to stay more calm in certain situations, he is less overwhelmed, which has decreased his stress level and those around him (friends, family, etc.).”
Mario’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Mario was very active and he was never calm and always on the go. Now he is calm and relaxed and I feel like he is more aware of his body and more focused. ‘Ohana was just what we needed to balance his life and his schedule. It was key to get us to where we are now. I like that ‘Ohana has good communication/trusting and able to bring up concerns and follow up with concerns. Everything is well coordinated”- Wendy (Mom)
Sawyer’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Sawyer were; behavior issues and physical aggression, anger, lack of focus, unaware of surroundings, lack of social skills, ASD diagnosis. ‘Ohana has helped him have better focus, not as much anger, and better safety. He is able to; ride a bike, stay dry most nights, and follow two-step directions. Our family has more peace at home, and I know how to support Sawyer better. I understand the mechanisms behind his behavior. ‘Ohana has given us so much knowledge and so many tools to understand our kids’ sensory and behavior needs.” -Lorna (Mom)
Asher’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Asher struggled to communicate with his family and felt frustrated and overwhelmed the majority of the day. Daily activities and routines, meals, school/bus time, bedtime, and leaving the house led to meltdowns on a daily basis. Since coming to ‘Ohana, Asher is incredibly at ease in his body, something I didn’t think could happen. His frustration tolerance has increased as much as his sense of calm. He has developed friendships at school and plays on a soccer team cooperatively, and loves it! He is sharing concerns and feelings with his family. Daily life is functional, and often enjoyable! We can visit friends and enjoy outings without suffering through a long ordeal to leave the house. Most of all, each family member has a more positive relationship with Asher. We enjoy him. I appreciate your attentiveness to Asher’s progress and being highly attuned to what works for him and captures his interests. You are child-led while also challenging him.”
Wyatt’s Success Story
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our primary concerns with Wyatt were his inability to be still, extremely picky eating, clothing textures, regulating issues, extreme noises, issues with groups, toileting. ‘Ohana has helped him improve with toileting. He will now try some new foods. Texture issues are less problematic, and he is able to handle groups better. We now have tools to help him, and he has tools to help himself.” Darrel – (Dad)
Logan’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Logan were sleep irregularity, aggression, motion avoidance, and sensory avoidance. ‘Ohana has helped him become more calm, more trusting of others, and has given him more physical courage. His sleep routine has slightly improved. ‘Ohana has helped improve Logan’s quality of life and helped him blend into the family more easily and it has given us better parenting tools. They helped us understand his situation better allowing us to be better parents. They helped justify our concerns about his development and gave us tools to help him improve.”
Noah’s Success Story:
“Since coming to ‘Ohana OT Noah definitely listens better and is less aggressive. ‘Ohana has given us more peaceful moments at home. Everyone works so well with these kids. You all seem to have a really special calling toward them.” – Lindsay (Mom)
Lauren’s Success Story:
“We came to ‘Ohana with concerns regarding Lauren’s emotional regulation and social skills. Since starting occupational therapy treatment, she has increased confidence and awareness of parent’s emotions. ‘Ohana gave us tools to use when we are in yellow or red zones, helped up resolve heightened situations when our child is in yellow or red zones, and helped us communicate with our child during emotional outbursts.” -Ashly (Mom)
“Yandel came to ‘Ohana with symptoms of over-stimulation, not being able to voice his concerns or wants, anger/outbursts, delayed self-care (aversion to nail clipping), aversion to loud noises, and delayed social participation. Since participating in therapy at ‘Ohana, all of the mentioned concerns have decreased. When he experiences anxiety or states of overwhelm, he is able to work through tasks and challenges successfully. He can now come to larger events, stay calm, and enjoy the fun. He now talks much more, and expresses his concerns. ‘Ohana has helped him and us gain more family time, as well as helping us better understand his limits and struggles.”
Paxton’s Success Story:
Before coming to ‘Ohana, Paxton was very defiant and resistant to change. He would not transition at all and had a difficult time sitting still and following directions. I did not think he would be successful in school at all. He was sensitive to lights and sound. Since coming to ‘Ohana, I can now take Paxton to the store without a meltdown which sounds like a small thing, but I could not further the first four years of his life. My family will take him on trips now without me, which is incredible! He completed Pre-K successfully! Our lives have changed immensely and I am so grateful. Regular everyday tasks have become doable, no more meltdowns. Our bedtime routine has improved and I truly believe he is now ready for kindergarten which is a HUGE. I never thought he would be successful in that. The therapists at ‘Ohana genuinely care about my child, they create a family like environment for him where he feels supported and loved. He loves coming here! You guys are amazing! I cannot imagine where we would be without your help. It has meant so much to us! Thank you for all you do! Keep doing it!”
Mario’s Success Story:“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Mario would only eat about three foods such as chicken nuggets, beef and bean burritos, and fries. He wouldn’t try new foods. He is now excited to go to therapy and enjoy the challenge games and we’ve noticed he will try things if we make it a challenge. He is now willing to try new things especially if we take ‘Ohana’s examples and make it a challenge. ‘Ohana has educated us as parents to know that our son actually has a condition and he’s not just being picky. ‘Ohana has given us tools to continue using from now on.”
Sergio’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, our main concerns with Sergio were sound sensitivity, tantrums, sensory issues, not playing well with other kids, car rides, going anywhere, and sleep issues. Since working with the therapist at ‘Ohana, his sleeping is a lot better. He is more independent, and plays well with others. He has little to no meltdowns and has been expressing how he feels. He has been able to go to the stores, restaurants and family gatherings. ‘Ohana has helped Sergio so much to the point we are able to do more things as a family. He is a completely different child compared to when he started. I can’t thank them enough. ‘Ohana has been our saving grace. I can’t say enough about how amazing ‘Ohana is. They truly care about every patient and that’s rare to find. Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming. Everyone is so knowledgeable and eager to help!”
Chase’s success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Chase was having a hard time focusing. He is now calmer and able to focus more and is able to be more independent. The therapists are great with the kids and very patient. I have learned many new things.”
Kya’s Success Story:
Avery’s Success Story:
“Before Avery started out ‘Ohana, we were very unsure how to keep our energetic little girl happy, and her cup always full. Since coming, we’ve learned so many useful techniques to support our daughter’s needs. It’s constantly changing in positive ways every single day. I used to not be able to go into a store, or sit in a restaurant without having to leave in the middle of things. We just went out to eat this weekend as a family and she did awesome! It’s helped with the typical stress you feel as a parent to be able to model to your kids the ways we navigate emotions. My partner and I are both energetic beings at heart and the techniques we’ve learned to help Avery have also helped us. I enjoy the approach the therapists take by figuring out exactly what each child needs. It’s not a one size fits all kind of therapy here.” – Kylee (Mom)
Omar’s Success Story:
“When Omar started at ‘Ohana OT he would not sit at the table to eat or last longer than a couple of seconds playing board games. Now he can sit for longer periods of time. His concentration has improved along with his behaviors. ‘Ohana has impacted us drastically. His behavior was out of control and now he’s a whole new kid who is polite and calm and willing to wait for his turn. You guys are so much fun and loving. You guys really went above and beyond to make my child feel loved and accepted. You guys are great.” – Dalia (Mom)
Charlie’s Success Story:
“Before starting at ‘Ohana, Charlie had difficulty with writing, using scissors, getting dressed and staying focused at school. He would frequently fall out of his chair. Now Charlie is able to dress himself independently, including buttons. He is writing cursive and can sit on a chair and stay focused on school activities. There is so much less frustration at home for us all now that Charlie can independently do tasks. Things that used to take constant reminders and/or physical help are no longer a huge struggle and battle. Charlie loves coming to ‘Ohana! It doesn’t feel like therapy. The activities and homework don’t feel like work or chores and he is excited to do them.”
-Melissa (Mom)
Jayden’s Success Story:
“Before beginning at ‘Ohana, Jayden would run away when there was a sound he didn’t like. He would hit himself and others, and was fearful of animals and wind. Now he doesn’t run away and has learned to do better around sounds and animals and doesn’t hit himself. He is doing so much better with self control.” – Maria (Mom)
Jon’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Jon was not aware of where his body was. He banged his head a lot and was clumsy and not aware of things that are safety issues. Example: walking in front of swing. He was having lots of intense meltdowns. Now he is more aware of safety and where his body is and less likely to hurt himself. Less intense meltdowns. I don’t have to deal with his tantrums as much as I use to. We can enjoy new things now. I don’t have to worry about him and his safety. I can trust that he is aware of where his body is now. ‘Ohana means family and they truly are family! Without doing OT we would be sooooo stressed and dealing with a lot!” – Sara (Mom)
Jack’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Jack was having difficulties sitting still and paying attention at school. When he was feeling big emotions and would often lash out and have a fit (throwing objects and hitting his little sister). Now Jack has an easier time focusing and comes home with an excellent report from school daily. He can easily identify and voice his emotions and has much better regulation and self-control. He has gained both physical strength and has made huge mental and emotional gains. ‘Ohana has been a great outlet for Jack’s energy and has brought him into focus. He engages with his family and shows kindness to his sister. His confidence has been boosted with the skills he has learned. I love the positive attitudes of the therapy team in the encouragement they provide. I also enjoy how they make the activities so fun that Jack didn’t even realize how hard he was working— sneaky exercise!!”- Kristin (Mom)
Ozzy’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Ozzy had a hard time learning the routine, participating in the activities and playing with other kids at preschool. He was afraid of being in a small bathroom and scared of the toilet flushing and of the hair dryer. He also needed help brushing his teeth. ‘Ohana has helped him get more involved at preschool and he’s started participating in activities, playing with other kids, doing crafts, and following directions. He now is able to walk upstairs without holding on. He’s not scared of the bathroom anymore. Brushing teeth has become easier and he likes to brush his teeth with his brother and to try doing it himself. ‘Ohana gave us some tools to use to help Ozzy. His confidence has become stronger with doing the different activities at ‘Ohana. It created another routine in his daily schedule. Ohana gave us the opportunity to seek out different ways to help Ozzy that we had never thought of before.” – Christina (Mom)”
“DD was having sensory issues, socks bothered him. He would only wear them inside out and he would not change shoes. Now he wears his socks the right way and wears all his shoes. Getting dressed is not a fight and makes our morning smooth. My child loves ‘Ohana and all the staff. Keep up the good work!” – Joy (Mom)
“Before starting therapy at ‘Ohana, Connor was very on edge in most situations and not very good at letting us know his emotions or when he didn’t enjoy something. Connor is now using a lot of the tools we have learned such as different breathing techniques and the importance of building strength to feel better emotionally. He has also become more aware of his feelings and is able to identify them using the Zones. My husband and I are able to both help Connor with the same tools and goals, and he is able to help us help him and we are able to enjoy our time together. We love that we were able to get the help we were looking for and that Connor was able to learn in an environment that truly helped him without stress or feeling like he was different. Connor was able to start identifying his goals and progress with each session making our work at home more successful.” – Lexi (Mom)
Robert’s Success Story:
“When Robert started at ‘Ohana OT, we had concerns about his total non-compliance, rage, tantrums, and behaviors in school. We couldn’t go on outings in public, birthdays etc. Now he has more self control, and is able to go out in public, parties, etc. for extended time (60+ min). He is improving in school, and we are seeing less defiance. It has been an amazing transformation. Babysitters have noticed a huge change. He has been getting along better with everyone and is even helping with chores. The patience, care, and compassion shown for my son is amazing. All the staff are fantastic! Thank you for helping our family get to a better place! You guys are great!!”- Michelle (Mom)
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Aiden & Brantley’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana we had concerns about physical aggression towards other kids, trouble with transitions, social problems, and fleeing school. We’ve seen a significant decrease in physical aggression and an increase in social skills and safety. We’ve also seen an increase in ability to sit down and do schoolwork. I used to get called out of work frequently to pick the kids up from school due to them fleeing the classroom or aggression. Now I never get called which is a huge improvement. ‘Ohana gives the parents information about sensory processing disorder and has helped me give my kids what they need to be successful. Both the boys have fun during their sessions.” – Emily (Mom)
Jason’s Success Story:
“Jason had difficulties socially and struggled with learning to control his emotions. ‘Ohana has helped him learn to calm himself down faster. He also is able to give enough personal space and play games with less tantrums. ‘Ohana has helped me learn how to help my kids stay regulated and notice when their sensory needs aren’t met. We are dealing with less intense tantrums. ‘Ohana feels like family and it takes a village to raise a child. Keep up the good work!” – Sara (Mom)
Uudam’s Success Story:
“Before coming to ‘Ohana, Uudam was struggling with behavioral issues, not responding or understanding directions, not able to swing, jump or sit without assistance. Since coming to ‘Ohana, we have seen major positive changes in his behaviors and attitude.He is able to understand better and follow directions. He’s able to do normal childhood activities like ride a bike, swing, jump, sit up Indian style. He is better behaved in public and at home. He is much happier with less angry outbursts from inability to communicate or do something on his own. He is very active and helpful. OT at ‘Ohana is a miracle and how they positively impact a child and their families lives. The therapy gives children the strength they need to become independent individuals. Your facility is doing a great job. I recommend this place to everyone who has a member of their family who might benefit.”-Anna (Mom)
Tay’s Success Story:
“We have had a lot of concerns with Tay not trusting people, not knowing how to follow directions when reading, eating too fast and not paying attention when she should. Tay has slowed her eating down and is more cautious and aware when eating. She has learned to trust more and follow directions. ‘Ohana has helped Tay be more aware of things and has given her the tools to help herself with many different things and has allowed her to try new things. Therapy at ‘Ohana was customized to meet Tay‘s needsand everyone was great with her. This program has helped Tay and given her so many tools to use. I think everyone here has been amazing to work with and you do a good job with how you work with kids and their needs.”
“When Maddie started at ‘Ohana we had concerns with sensory processing disorder. She had trouble going into stores and crowds. She had trouble getting clothes, shoes, and coats on – they would bother her. Now she can go into stores without getting as overwhelmed. She now dresses herself without having meltdowns. She brushes her teeth twice a day without issues. ‘Ohana has helped Maddie be able to go into stores and events with her family without having meltdowns. ‘Ohana is very understanding of sensory processing disorder and has helped integrate her nervous system.” Sara (Mom)
Julian’s Success Story:
“When Julian started at ‘Ohana OT he was too rough when touching/playing with others. It was hard for him to keep his hands to himself. He was too distracted in school or when making conversations. He was putting too much pressure on the pencil when writing. Now he can be more gentle when playing with others. He can follow along with conversations and pays more attention in school. He can write more relaxed. It has helped me as a mother to know that these challenged could be faced by identifying them and work through them with awesome fun therapy! My son was having a few issues with his behaviors in school and it was hard for him to make friends. ‘Ohana has helped “tremendously ” as they addressed his challenges. Julian feels, acts, and looks way more confident. Our family has learned, enjoyed and the atmosphere is more calm at home. Mom doesn’t stress too much and I don’t stress him either. We are beyond grateful for Nicole, Mary and all the team. I like how they analyze different aspects of the patient. Therapy through play is wonderful – my son loves it! Everyone here is professional, helpful, and has a good attitude.”- Minerva (Mom)
“When Aaliyah first started to coming to ‘Ohana she was struggling to brush her hair, was unable to put on clothes herself, and had poor strength. She is now brushing her hair without any issues and has gotten a lot stronger and more sociable with other kids. She also learned how to tie her shoes. She has improved so much and it’s been helpful to get tips on how to improve things to meet her sensory needs for everyday life.” – Maya (Mom)
– Kele (Mom)
Logan’s Success Story:
Before starting at ‘Ohana Logan was struggling with negative behavior; hitting, yelling, pushing, not listening or following directions, and lack of focus. He is now listening better and responding the first or second time after being asked. He’s able to stay calm and is less sensitive to touch. ‘Ohana has given us the tools to help Logan and each other. It has helped us to find peace and love again. Thank you for changing how Logan feels and interacts with us and others in a positive way! – Ingrid (Mom)
Blake’s Success Story:
“When started at ‘Ohana OT he had behavioral issues, pushing, hitting, running away when going places. Now I can go grocery shopping and Blake stays with me, doesn’t run off, yell. He doesn’t hit me, still learning to play nicely with his siblings. Blake has more patience, I can take him places and not stress. I like that not only has Blake learned to be more kind and control himself when he gets frustrated, but that I have also learned to be more patient with him. Everyone is so kind, and loving. I have no complaints or concerns. Thank you or everything we will miss everyone ”
Sailor’s Success Story:“When Sailor started at ‘Ohana she had a lot of meltdowns – speech was biggest issue and she ran off a lot. It was tough to calm her down. Now her uncontrollable meltdowns are minimal and she is much easier to calm down, much better at accepting no for an answer, but most of all she is talking more than I could have imagined in this time frame. I feel like I know much more about the “why” behind her behavior and am learning with the tools needed to manage it from here on. You helped me by giving me hope…. I was nervous about her future with speech and behavior but after learning about the how’s and why’s I’m confident the future is bright. I couldn’t imagine a better experience or outcome. 10 out of 10! Thank you! “- Ryan
Canaan’s Success Story:“When Canaan started at ‘Ohana he had pain with movement, anxiety around writing, and difficulty with hygiene. Now he has more energy, better balance, slight improvement with hygiene and confidence around writing. ‘Ohana had given Canaan an opportunity to have fun active activities, which has increased his energy level, confidence and balance. I like the individual attention ‘Ohana gives children and families. I feel heard and supported. I do not feel judgement or shame.” – Jen (mom)
Samantha’s Success Story:“When Samantha started at ‘Ohana OT I had concerns with developmental delays (speech and gross motor), sleep challenges, behavior issues (fussy, easily upset). Now she is caught up to her peers in speech and gross motor, much better sleep, and not upset as easily. Our family life improved 100% in all areas. We are able to function as a family better. Samantha’s sweet personality has come through. ‘Ohana OT has helped by educating me on sensory needs. She loved coming here every week. Mary is the one who suggested I seek out an ENT re: Samantha’s snoring, which led to a tonsillectomy which improved her sleep 80-90%. “ Lorna (mom)
Jeremy’s Success Story:
“When Jeremy first came to ‘Ohana OT he had concerns with his behavior, reactions and concentration. With the diagnosis of underlying core issues I have seen changes in physical reactiveness. The last few weeks especially have made changes in behavior with the new social skills and learning tools have helped with his concentration. We no longer have hours of screaming.If screaming happens, it is quickly calmed and resolved peacefully. ‘Ohana has helped with teaching, not only the child, but the parent different tools and skills, exercises, tools and skills for a lifetime.“– Jennifer (mom)
Jared’s Success Story:
“When Jared came in he was temperamental, not knowing how to control his anger, was not able to change his clothes, disliking many types of foods and not transitioning activities smoothly. Now he has been able to use ‘Ohana ‘s techniques to calm himself, has been able to express his feelings, change his clothes and tried a few new foods. It has defiantly changed our family not only for Jared but for other siblings as well. It has taken stress out of our daily routines because he calms down easily and is able to transition activities easily. I like the individual attention patients get and the way as parent get motivated to keep persevering for our children to get better. Hopefully. You guys can get a bigger facility space to help more children. You guys are doing awesome.” – Mayra (mom)
Jenneka’s Success Story:
“When Jenneka started at ‘Ohana she had emotional issues, some anger and anxiety issues as well. Now her emotions, anxiety, and anger issues have gone away or improved so much. ‘Ohana has improved our family as a whole to help Jenneka overcome her issues/concerns. ‘Ohana OT is compassionate about what you’re doing. Jen has been phenomenal with Jenneka this whole time. It has helped all the way around. Jenneka is a lot different emotionally, physically etc. I cannot say enough , glad we found you. ‘Ohana has been great.”
Finnigan’s Success Story:
“Finnegan had problems with physical coordination and unwillingness to take risks. Now he has become much more willing to take risks physically and to work hard to achieve difficult tasks. He has increased confidence which makes it easier to challenge him. Ohana Staff is dedicated and caring.”
– Rebecca
Quinn’s Success Story:
“When Quinn started at ‘Ohana OT, she had a lack of core strength, very little endurance, reluctance to eat fruits, raw veggies and nuts. Now she is more confident physically! Also, she has more grit and keeps trying something. She also has more endurance hiking. It makes my heart happy to see my kiddo want and choose to do activities she would not have chosen before (monkey bars, making own obstacle course, etc). I liked the baby steps for my daughter to progress through allowed her to trust her body and keep trying. “- Brooke
Elliott’s Success Story:
“When Elliott started at ‘Ohana, she avoided playgroups, ran on her tip toes, only ate “beige foods” and constantly sought rough play. Now she is braver when out playing and more willing to explore on her own. She is also eating an array of fruits and veggies. We are better able to understand each other and communicate what we are needing – rather than exploding or melting down. Ohana understands children and behavior. Hands down, the best OT provider for children in the valley.” – Emily
Hayden’s Success Story:
“When Hayden started at ‘Ohana, he had problems with waiting safely, balance, ability to pay attention, safety in public areas and not being able to tie his shoes. Now he can ride a bike, has longer attention span, tie his shoes, wait safely and is aware of “stranger danger”. ‘Ohana OT has greatly improved our son’s ability to be in public safely and ride a bike, helping him socialize better with kids in the neighborhood and at school. He is happier to be in public places and makes safer choices. At Ohana there is a lot of patience interacting with our son. ‘Ohana OT feels comfortable when walking into the building. My son has made great strides since starting here and it is very noticeable! Thank you!”- Michelle
Odessa’s Success Story:
“Odessa was struggling with writing, fine motor skills, eye focusing and eyes getting tired. She has had much improvement in eye coordination, motor skills and handwriting is clearer and more accurate. ‘Ohana has been a great asset to our family. ‘Ohana feels like a part of our family Our kids love to talk about their time at ‘Ohana. It has been a positive influence on our children and family. The staff are friendly. The staff are educated and willing to think of fun and creative ways to keep the kids engaged and learning. The ‘Ohana staff makes the environment feel fun, safe, and positive Thank You!” – Warren
Eliot’s Success Story:
“When Elliot started at ‘Ohana OT he struggled with attention span, coordination, social skills, distractibility, and was overwhelmed in new/loud/bright situations. Now he is calmer in new situations – doesn’t seem to get as overwhelmed, Calmer in general. Able to focus more/less distractible. Interacts more positively with peers. Elliot is calmer and more able to verbally express his struggles/frustrations. Stress due to Elliot being overwhelmed or upset has significantly decreased. His interactions here have increased Elliot’s confidence in himself and his interactions with others. “- Summer
Kade’s Success Story:
“When Kade started at ‘Ohana OT he was acting out, throwing fits including destroying classrooms and property, getting into things , not listening and did not like change. Kade can now control his emotions better, actively listens and is thriving in school. He is doing better about staying out of things. Kade embraces change. We now feel comfortable about going out to dinners. We have more fun time at home because Kade isn’t always sin time out. ‘Ohana not only gives the children tools to be better but they give the parent the knowledge and tools to help their child”- Sharon
“When starting at ‘Ohana OT I had a lot of concerns. I had no idea what was going on with my daughter and her sudden behavior changes. Since coming to ‘Ohana she has better control of her anger or when something bothers her. When having panic attack she gets relaxed, calms down and is able to breathe. She learned emotional zone / zones of regulation. Honestly, you guys have been a blessing. We (my daughter and I ) definitely learned so much from your center. I’ve see my daughter very happy going to her OT sessions and we’ve seen a big improvement. It was a fun place with awesome staff. All the staff are amazing and friendly. Always welcoming us with a nice smile. ‘Ohana offers different sessions/programs for each patient’s needs. Thank you so much for everything you did the past six months. We’re happy.”- Kathy
Andrew’s Success Story:
“Initially concerns were with handwriting, SPD and following multi-step directions. Now sensory has gotten better, handwriting is more legible, and he is more self confident. Andrew has a better understanding of directions, He seems more aware of his surroundings. We like the support we get at Ohana. When Andrew was being bullied we were given a lot of support and tips on self defense out side of his regular OT. “ – Michelle
Henry’s Success Story:
“Initially we were having difficulty taking Henry out into public places due to him shouting, screaming and hitting his head. No 9/10 times he is quieter while in public and no longer hits his head. He is much better at sharing , taking turns, and listening to instructions. Life is easier by allowing us to have more outings as a family, not having to be worried about Henry having a fit. I like that ‘Ohana isn’t a super formal classroom type experience. I think Henry is receptive to the way “Ohana does their therapy and it has benefited him socially. The staff is amazing and are great a their jobs”- Charles
“Life for our family is happy and easier – Ohana has been a huge help. When Erin started she has a difficult time with daily routines, following directions, overly sensitive to touch and sound, she just appeared to be uncomfortable in her skin. Now morning are so much easier for her and the whole family. She is able to be responsible for routine tasks and takes initiative to be a helpful family member. She is relaxed and happy. She is so happy most of the time instead of distressed and unsure of herself. Has reduced the stress level for everyone in the house and is building her confidence in herself. “- Heather
Testimonial for our Fast Track QRI Laser
Xavier’s Success Story:
“When Xavier started at ‘Ohana he had problems with transitioning, some sensory issues and trouble with guided activity. We have been experiencing less meltdowns when it is time to make a transition to a new activity, loud sounds don’t seem to have the same effect as they once did. He seems to be much more coordinated after treatment. We have a better understanding of why our son likes certain activities over others. By understanding the reflexes that has not yet integrated we can better plan activities to focus on those areas of need. Ohana is a safe and friendly environment. The staff has been extremely helpful and knowledgeable. This place is great keep up the awesome work.”- Terry
Henry’s Success Story:
“Henry has a better ability to cope with sensory stimuli. He has tools that he uses that he didn’t have before. His anxiety has reduced and he has become more flexible and reasonable and has significantly fewer meltdowns. When he started at ‘Ohana OT his has sensitivity to sounds, smells, textures, clothing and changes in routines. Often experienced meltdowns and rigid behavior along with anxiety. ‘Ohana had helped my child develop coping mechanisms and learned new told and behaviors to handle sensory information. He is able to communicate in socially appropriate ways and has fewer meltdowns. I have appreciated the warm and inviting personalities of all of the staff members, the attention to safety and healthy boundaries , and the commitment to my child and family. “- Megan
Ethan’s Success Story:
“When Ethan started at ‘Ohana he had violent outbursts, was running off, throwing things and screaming. Now there is a complete turnaround, almost no outbursts in a month! We started the learning process to help regulate and keep consistent. You helped us consistently work on the Zones – helped us remember. “- David
Katie’s Success Story:
“When she started at ‘Ohana Katie was very emotional, angry and did not know how to handle those feelings/emotions. Now she is HAPPIER! She is more self positive. She is less reactive. We are no longer “living” by Katie’s moods/outbursts. The entire family is happier and calmer. The community of parents and staff, meeting, talking and supporting each other….it’s priceless.” – Jill
Dieulando’s Success Story:
“When Dieulando started at ‘Ohana he wasn’t able to follow multi-step instructions, had a difficult time with body awareness and needed constant movement. Now he is able to follow multi-step instructions. We also have the tools we need to understand Dieulando and what his body needs better. With ‘Ohana therapy we have found more peace in the home. You are so kind and encouraging.” – Laura
Jon’s Success Story: “Jon wasn’t eating much food when he started at ‘Ohana. His balance was off and he had a weak core. Now he has a stronger core, isn’t falling/ tripping anymore and he is eating a lot more food than he was. Now he won’t fight us and disrupt us while eating anymore. We also don’t have to stop so much to make sure he is ok from falling. We love ‘Ohana! I like that I can get ideas to help my kids at home and that the atmosphere feels like family. You have helped Jon be calmer!” – Joseph
Isaac’s Success Story:
“Isaac was having problems with social awareness, mood control, attention and focus with academics, and toileting issues when we started at ‘Ohana. Now he is calmer, although not always. He has language to express feelings and will take a break when becoming overwhelmed. His teacher says he is paying attention in school. He is able to be accident free when at school, but not at home. Isaac’s self esteem has improved. The zones have been helpful for the whole family. He seems more cooperative with other adults and has been able to develop friendships at school. QRI therapy has been helpful for the whole family. Everybody enjoys coming here. The staff is very friendly and considerate. We have benefitted from their experience and advice on handling various issues that Isaac has struggled with.“ – Margaret
Tanner’s Success Story:
“Tanner was referred to ‘Ohana because she struggled with paying attention, large motor skills and writing. Tanner also struggled with behavior she would throw tantrums daily. Now Tanner’s balance and coordination have drastically improved. Her body awareness in space has improved and she is more aware of her body in relation to objects and other people. Most of all , she is more confident in herself and outgoing. The biggest impact is that we understand Tanner better. We are aware of why she behaves certain ways and have the tools to help her. Tanner loves coming to ‘Ohana , she looks forward to her appointment each week. I think one of the best things about ‘Ohana is that you not only treat the child but you educate and provide resources for parents. You provide valuable skills to take with us when we go home. I think you guys are great! Keep up the good work , you are so needed. “ Lacey
Maverick’s Success Story:
“When Maverick started at ‘Ohana OT he had sensory problems – wearing jeans, clipping nails, taking showers, shutting down in large groups, and getting sick in cars. Now we have little issues with Mav wearing jeans or clipping nails. He does well with a shower schedule. He is less anxious though still quiet socially. He has no issues in the car. We have learned skills to staying consistent. We have a better understanding of sensory processing and how it affects Mav. He has gained coping skills that make daily life easier. I feel that Mavericks treatment was tailored and individualized to him. Treatment was specific to his challenges – this is priceless. Jen did an amazing job getting a pretty shut down kid to open up. Thank you to your entire staff, we are so thankful to all of you for your care with Mav and also our 3 crazy kids in the waiting room J. :- Chelsea
“When Jacob started at ‘Ohana OT he was easily overwhelmed and ran away or did self- harm. Now he no longer runs away! No self- harm! He is not as shy. His hands are steady and we can read his writing ☺. Ohana has impacted our life by making it less stressful and knowing that I/we weren’t alone. We love everyone there!!”- Jill
Max’s Success Story:
“When we first came to ‘Ohana I felt like I didn’t know how to parent my son. Max was always hitting, wrestling, afraid of loud noises, sensitive to smells, had such a hard time controlling his body. The hardest part was seeing that Max was just as confused and lost as I was. When I think of how far Max has come, I want to cry. Max is like a new kid! He is able to focus on tasks, hold his body still and control himself whether at school, the grocery store or at home playing with his siblings. He has now started Kindergarten and he is excelling in allareaswhich truly would not have been possible before we came to ‘Ohana. Before coming to ‘Ohana everyone in our family was a little frustrated and exhausted to some degree because of our family dynamic with Max. When we learned why he behaved the way he did and that there was help for Max and out family we felt hopeful. We all have been empowered with knowledge and copoing skills for the present and the future. “Ohana OT” is an appropriate name because it truly feels like family. That is what we love the most! Everyone cares for my son and our family. Building that relationship has been essential for Max’s success and the key to why he is now thriving.”
– Julie
“When Caleb started at ‘Ohana OT he struggled to process his reading into writing. Handwriting was messy and making it neat took concerted effort: spelling was a struggle; and piecing together detail took a lot of coaching. Now Caleb has grown in confidence this year. Writing continues to be a struggle (with slow improvement), but his willingness to try has improved. IT was my hope that he would develop a “growth mindset”, and that mindset seems to have sparked. ‘Ohana has been a great resource for me as Caleb’s mom to better understand his learning strengths and weaknesses so that I can help him more effectively and advocate for him in the classroom more knowledgeably. ‘Ohana helped Caleb grow in confidence by giving him opportunities to challenge himself in fun ways, and they also gave him encouraging settings in which to practice his challenges. “- RachelIn response to asking Caleb how he feels about how Ohana has helped him he said “It makes me feel worth something.”
“When Devyn started at Ohana he had problems with following directions, problems in school to focus and poor sportsmanship. I was concerned about his safety outside when riding bikes or playing. Now he does awesome in school, – 7 A’s and 1 B+. He can focus better, Safety outside is great. Sportsmanship is getting better too. Ohana has helped so much! What a blessing it has been. Has given me and Devyn tools to use. It has taught us so much about sensory issues, to understand more of what is going on with the body and why. I like that Ohana becomes family and the staff truly care about the family as a whole. Very blessed to have got the opportunity to being Devyn here and to learn so much. Thank you all. “- Karen
“When Landon started at Ohana he was impulsive, had focus and attention problems, falling through from beginning to end on tasks, unorganized, busy – always on the move. Now Landon is a lot calmer, he knows when he needs to get out and do something physical mostly so he doesn’t go house crazy. He is much better about getting chores done. He still needs to work on being more organized, but hopefully this school year he will improve that. Our family life has changed with less frustration for everyone Landon included. It’s hard to know what is needed when you don’t know what is actually needed. Landon always enjoyed his sessions. I never once had to convince him to keep coming back. You all have been great to see on a weekly basis!.”- Tina
Jonathan’s Success Story:
“When he started at Ohana, Jonathan’s social interactions were lacking eye contact and response to questions. His attention to stay on a task was a few minutes. We were also concerned regarding his safety while using knives. His personal care using the toilet was also a concern. Now Jonathan’s social interactions have improved to a point where he now makes eye contact and responses to questions are clear and direct. He can stay on a given task without frustrations. His safety awareness regarding knives have improved. Also his personal care while using the toilet is no longer a concern. Jonathan has made so many improvements that the happy nature of his character seems to be all that we are interacting with. Communication without meltdowns have been one of the greatest impacts to our family. I like the go with the flow toward a set task and how you make it fun for him to advance. You’re doing great! Keep it up. “ Laura (Mom)
Gage’s Success Story:
“When Gage started at ‘Ohana he had repetitive movements where he would hurt himself or others. Minimum body movement /control. Now he has started to communicate his needs instead of getting upset and running away. He is learning how to self-regulate. Gage has a better understanding of his needs and is asking for help when he’s upset. As a family we are able to go on outings and not only enjoy each other’s company but have learned resources for when Gage struggles. I love how I could voice my frustration and I was never put down or judged for it. Mary and staff would help me come up with solutions and things to try”- Stephanie
Logan’s Success Story:
“Logan was having a very hard time in school. He was repeatedly was in trouble for falling out of his chair and never could stay on task. He had a hard time interacting with the kids and was always behind in class. He would get upset and roll into a ball at home and shutdown. Since coming to ‘Ohana OT Logan has grown in his relationships. He has become less of a distraction in his classroom. Staying more on task and not falling out of his chair. Logan has changed and his outbursts at home have almost stopped. He tries to listen and communicate better. It has helped with the tension at home. Logan has learned tools to deal with his problems. ‘Ohana was the first place to help. Doctor wanted to drug him. Another therapist did nothing and it would take Logan 3 days to calm down after a visit”. – James and Holly
Orion’s Success Story:
“When Orion started at Ohana he had a lot of trouble with personal space boundaries, climbing everything and everyone. He would throw his body on couches, walls, the floor constantly. Engaging with other people was very difficulty and even being in a room of a few people was way too much. Now Orion is a different kid, he is able to carry a conversation, hear and process what you are saying. He is aware of his surroundings more. He is more flexible and his sensory seeking has lessened dramatically. His meltdowns are less frequent and shorter. Ohana has become a part of our family! Orion started coming when he was 3 years old. They have helped him overcome so many obstacles. They have empowered me as his mom to know what he needs and how to help him. He has struggles sensory-wise day to day. But I am able to understand what is going on with him and why and that is due to Ohana. They are amazing. They changed our lives. I love how you are there for the family as well as the child. You made sure I understood what was happening and how I could help. Orion has been to so many therapies and when we started at Ohana we saw change almost immediately and that was just amazing. I think you guys are doing great. You have always done a great job. Keep up the amazing, life changing work. Thank you so much for everything, you have been a light in our lives for along time. We have learned so much from you!” Molly- (mom)
Silas’ Success Story:
“When we first came to Ohana Silas threw huge tantrums and had constant need for movement. He was unable to vocalize feelings very well. Now he is calmer, able to vocalize feelings better, let’s me know when he needs certain/different calming techniques. Ohana OT has helped us work as a team figuring out what is needed for Silas physically and emotionally. We like the consistency in scheduling and the open communication at Ohana. ” Crystal (mom)
Park’s Success Story:
“When Parks started at Ohana he had difficulty sitting still at school and leaning his head on his desk. He had trouble listening in class. Now he has improved ability to listen, sit at desk without putting his head on it. He can now ride a bike independently. We really like our therapist Jen. She always provides unique and helpful insight with challenges that come up.”- Hillary
Slade’s Success Story:
“When Slade started at Ohana OT he was unable to sit in his seat for an extended period of time, could not focus while writing and seemed to be physically tired from typical activities. Now he is sitting still longer in class, handwriting in improving, situational awareness is improving and core strength is getting stronger. Ohana staff has without knowing it , become a huge part of our family life- even outside of the facility. We as a family can use the tools Ohana had given us, and implement them in our day to day routine. The patience and knowledge that we’ve been given helps our day to day activities without these tools we would be back to where we started.” – Ashley
“Before coming to Ohana my son was prone to emotional outbursts and running away. Now he is calmer, easier to talk to when he is upset. He is more willing to talk to people about his needs and wants. My son is more interactive with his family. He used to shut us all out. He is like a completely different kid. I love that Mary is always willing to answer my questions . She is amazing with my son.”- Savannah
Zoey’s Success Story:
“When Zoey started at Ohana OT she had problems communicating her feelings, regulating her emotions and taking care of her personal hygiene. Now she is able to recognize when she is feeling frustrated and using the Zones to get back to the “green zone”. Ohana OT has made simple tasks less frustrating. We are not always yelling. We like the relaxed atmosphere where she feels valued and it is fun. “- Kim
“When Ella started at “Ohana she had pain in her throat, over reactions to stimulus and anxiety. She is now more calm and has no more pain in her throat. Jen has shared her concern, love, care for Ella. She has created trust, gaining Ella’s trust and comfort. Jen has helped us understand Ella’s needs. Thank you for helping us see new perspectives, tools and abilities. ‘Ohana has give us a centered safe place to grow and understand Ella better” – Lara (Mom)
Tobias’ Success Story:
“When Tobias started at Ohana he has long and short term memory problems of basic things and problems doing things in sequence, remembering what to do or what was asked. Now he has improved memory. We have an understanding of how he is able to memorize things by attaching it to other events or things, using various tools for success (ie. My Best Day, calendars, highlighting). He has less frustration accomplishing tasks, more confidence and independence in life skills. We like how Ohana worked along with our family to troubleshoot solutions to improve tasks that are a struggle, with creative ideas that make life more of a joy. Our son enjoyed coming to Ohana!- Holly
” When we started coming to Ohana OT he sensory overloaded often, couldn’t communicate, constantly jumping and stimming. Now he is calmer, better at listening to adults at home and daycare. He’s a happier kid and better at playing with others. I love how much he loves coming to therapy. He loves to come and play. He doesn’t even know he’s working on his therapy. Keep up the good work :-)” – Kayla
Family Success Story:
Before coming to ‘Ohana, Ismael would fall a lot , his balance was bad. He also had bad handwriting. We no longer get calls from school saying he had an accident and his handwriting has improved. Our family life has changedbecause he now enjoys playing adventurous games and he used to not want to because he was afraid of falling.
When we started at ‘Ohana Yahir would run off on me. He would be very rough with his brothers and not aware of his strength. throw himself on the floor, bump and crash with things very loud. Now he is more aware of his body and strength. He no longer runs off on me. We can go out without worrying about Yahir hurting himself or others, or getting lost.
We have seen lots of changes in Leivy. She no longer throws herself on the floor, gives people their space, controls and expresses her emotions better, more balance and can sit for longer time. ‘Ohana has had a big impact on our family life. I don’t worry as much as I use to and we can definitely go out without me being worried. The‘Ohana staff is so loving and dedicated. You guys are great!
– Lorena (Mom)
Daniel’s Success Story:
“We had many concerns when Daniel started at Ohana, especially his balance and the way of taking care of himself. I have seen so many changes in Daniel. Now he puts his clothes on and brushes his teeth. Ohana has had an impact on my families life in so many ways. Now we are not worried about him like before. He’s more independent doing his things without much help. Ohana has helped my son and I like Ohana because they help families and kids with needs. ” Liliana- Mother
“When Joey first started coming to ‘Ohana she was having social problems, and she was very distressed by sounds. We had to always be with her for safety reasons. Now Joey has friends. She can think through most situations (crossing the street etc.) and be safe. We can go out to eat, or over to friends house for dinner. It is just wonderful that the kids think they are just here to play, so they love to come!”
-Sheri
When DD started at Ohana he had problems with attention and behavior. He now focuses and listens well. My child will now follow directions, listen and is kind. We like how Ohana teaches parents what to be doing at home.
-Joi
“Some of the problems and concerns we had when Nico started at ‘Ohana included anxiety- leaving the house and transitions, clothing- would not wear pants, underwear, socks, or shoes, and had meltdowns with out of control emotions. We have seen HUGE changes! Nico now loves school, trying new activities, and making friends. Nico no longer has transition issues, has minimal challenges with clothing, and continues to make process with regulating emotions. ‘Ohana has helped educate us as parents to better understand SPD. The changes we have seen in Nico have improved our family dynamic dramatically. ‘Ohana OT provides excellent communication, compassion, and is an informative resource for help! Jen has a gift for making OT fun.”
-Erika
When George and Jessie started at ‘Ohana they didn’t have any balance, and they didn’t know how to ride their bikes. They had trouble making friends and initiating conversations with others. George and Jessie were not able to express their emotions or concerns.
‘Ohana has been great because I can tell them the problems my kids are having, and they listen and offer solutions. Now they are able to ride their bikes, and they have started making friends. They are able to tell me about their worries and look for solutions. Their balance has improved on the obstacle courses, and they only need a little help. ‘Ohana has helped our family so much. My kids have changed so much; they are achieving their goals and are gaining confidence.
“Before coming to ‘Ohana Gus was very physical with myself and other children. He didn’t listen to our instructions which caused us to worry about his safety. He also had trouble with transitions at preschool. Now Gus is much better at listening ans following directions. His teachers say he has improved immensely at school and he is on par with his peers in regard to gross and fine motor skills and behavior. We can channel his physicality into appropriate activities. Our family has many more tools to help Gus function in a normal preschool setting and interact with family and friends. He is able to listen and follow instructions most of the time. Every appointment I can bring in my concerns and the staff gives me reasonable instructions and tools to help. I have books, advice and tools to help Gus for the rest of his life. “- Guenna Curtis
Cooper’s Success Story:
“When Cooper started at ‘Ohana we were concerned about him following directions, paying attention, respecting personal space with peers, fighting at school and he was reactive to problem social situations. He also had negative self talk. He is now able to use problem solving strategies, negative self talk is a rarity, he is less reactive and has a more regulated response system. He is able to follow directions now. This has impacted our family with less arguing, a calmer environment and he is happier. Thank you for making it super fun so he always wants go to!”
– Jamie, mother
Aggression, angry outbursts toward everyone and everything, and inability to control emotions were some of the problems and concerns Ethan started at ‘Ohana with. He no longer has daily outburst, and can de-escalate situations before losing control 90% of the time. Ethan has been able to verbalize his emotions and feelings more than he ever has before. ‘Ohana’s impact on Ethan has made our home life much calmer. We do not feel like we are walking around on eggshells wondering when the next “blow-up” will come. We no longer have to worry about saying the wrong thing, or looking at him the wrong way, which used to set him off. We really like the “family” style here, and really enjoyed our buddy sessions (learning to work with our new friend). -Sara
Before Luis started at ‘Ohana he had a lot of problems taking care of himself. I have seen many changes in his behavior. He has grown up in many areas, especially his thinking before speaking or acting.He has also learned how to deal with his emotions, and if he is feeling bad or angry, he can work alone to feel better and change his attitude. Ohana OT has impacted our family in many good ways. Luis plays with his brothers, shares with others, and talks more at dinner time. I love everything about ‘Ohana, and they treat everyone very well!
-Liliana
When we first started at ‘Ohana I was worried about Rylee not doing well in school. I was also worried about her fear of normal sounds and activities. Rylee now can enjoy normal activities such as brushing her teeth and playing at the playground without fear.
‘Ohana has definitely helped our family routine run smoothly and helped Rylee better navigate social situations. I like that ‘Ohana has friendly staff and is helpful with coming up with ideas that work with our family at home.
-Kasey
Some of our problems and concerns with Ben were aggression, anxiety, emotional detachment, and self-stimulation. ‘Ohana OT has helped Ben become more emotionally aware of self, and he has learned coping skills for anxiety and aggression.
Ohana has given our family a chance at bonding with Ben. We have all learned to be aware of triggers and how to help Ben cope. Something I really like about ‘Ohana is how Mary listens to my concerns and helps Ben understand his own needs. They cared!
-Heather
When we first began coming to ‘Ohana, our son Cameron was easily bothered by loud sounds, having trouble playing, paying attention, and focusing for more than a few minutes. Now he can tolerate loud sounds better, and we are working to create a way for him to focus without having meltdowns. ‘Ohana has given us the tools to not only get to know what triggers our son, and the ability to help him overcome them. Jen is the best! She has helped us so much! Everyone knows our son’s name when we walk in and it feels very much like a family connection, instead of cold and business like. It feels like you only want to help us. We are so very happy we found ‘Ohana!
-Charles
When we started at ‘Ohana our concerns were safety and not learning by experience (touching hot stove, jumping off things) Mario would turn right around and do them again. Now Mario can ask questions and express his feelings. I can explain that something is not safe, and he can tell me that he feels “disappointed”. Now we can go out to dinner or over to a friends house, sit and read books together, or watch a movie. Something I really like about ‘Ohana is that the staff enjoy my kids and understand how to help them.
-Sheri
Some of the problems and concerns Natalie had when we started at ‘Ohana included frequently bumping into people and things in her surroundings, difficulty maintaining good posture in a chair, playing games with others (taking turns and losing), daily meltdowns, and impulsive control issues. I really liked how ‘Ohana listened to my concerns and helped me problem solve. Natalie now has much better posture in a chair, can tolerate car rides and spinning, is much more willing to take turns and handles losing just fine now. Melt downs have decreased as well. ‘Ohana has had an impact on our family life; Natalie is able to interact with her siblings and friends better now. She is also moving in her environment with more control and no longer bumps into things.
-Shana
Since coming to ‘Ohana, Hunter is able to recognize his feelings and can calm down faster than before. At home there are still battles, but not as many! Ohana staff are friendly, knowledgeable, work with your concerns.
-Melissa
Tippy toe walking, eating, spinning, touching strangers, standing too close to others, running off, touching/hugging brothers too much, not listening… these were some of the problems and concerns we had with Connor when we started at ‘Ohana. Now Connor is eating a little better, and doesn’t eat dinner under the table. I really like that the kids learn “hands on” at ‘Ohana.
-Melanie
-Robin
“Haeydn is able to thrive in social interactions and at school. He is able to recognize what emotion he is feeling and have control over his feelings and body. He is SO much better at communicating and ‘Ohana helped me be more confident as a parent!“
-Kasaundra
“I like ‘Ohana’s approach to therapy because it’s fun and organic…it doesn’t feel like work. Aiden has become a confident, happy, capable boy because of ‘Ohana and their work with him. He no longer cries himself to sleep and he is ready to face the day and the future.”
-Rolana
“We liked how ‘Ohana is always a fun place to go, but at the same time corrects the issues we were concerned about. We appreciated how the staff was always friendly, even if they were working with other kids.”
-Allison
“We LOVE ‘Ohana! I saw such an improvement in Ryan, not only physically but in confidence. He always had so much fun he didn’t even realize we were “working on things.” Ryan is now more engaged socially and able to physically keep up on family walks.”
-Brooke
“Anthony’s sensory sensitivities are so much more under control now. Now we have tools to help Anthony cope with potentially stressful situations, and we can attend more events which is fun for the whole family. We love how ‘Ohana uses play to make such a huge difference!“
-Sarah
Jayden first started at ‘Ohana with weak muscle tone and meltdowns. We had a very difficult time being able to go into stores with Jayden. We have seen major changes in Jayden. We enjoy going into stores now and he is better at controlling compulsions and his muscle tone has improved.What I really like about ‘Ohana OT is how they addressed our hurdles during sessions.
-Kymberly
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When Nick first started coming to ‘Ohana he was all over the place, unable to focus, and frequently melting down. Now we are better able to go about our daily routines… Nick has become much stronger, can focus, and behavior issues at school are much better. ‘Ohana OT is child focused, and meets kids where they are.
-Julia
“We LOVE the obstacle courses, amazing staff, and the Zones were fantastic! Gianna is now able to self-regulate and can de-escalate much sooner.”
“Ohana has made a huge difference in our family dynamics. Titus has significantly improved in all categories, with many issues being entirely resolved. We are very grateful that we finally found the help we needed!”
“We noticed a big change in Vivie after her very first treatment with the QRI. She had two very good days in a row following our visit, which rarely happens with her. She was much more relaxed, not chasing me to the door or becoming anxious when she couldn’t see me. She was more capable with her attempts to communicate, less frustrated and no angry fits. We are very excited to continue these treatments for her!”
Becky
“Under the amazing care of the professionals at ‘Ohana, my son is on track to overcoming many of his anxiety and sensory challenges. While we waited for Occupational Therapy, we decided to start Quantum Reflex Integration (QRI). Though I was skeptical of this new technology, I could not be happier with the results! My son has already significantly made improvements just with the QRI alone. Prior to QRI laser he was having 2 hour daily meltdowns, and refused to wear socks, underwear or jeans. Just from the laser alone while waiting for his OT eval, he began wearing socks, underwear and jeans and was only having 30 minute meltdowns every other day. ‘Ohana’s Quantrum Reflex Integration is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it whether it is a starting point or used in conjunction with Occupational Therapy.”|
Erika
“‘Ohana helped us to learn about our children’s sensitivities, created exercises for us to practice at home, and taught us ways to help us all communicate better. Life is easier now…we struggle less with daily tasks and getting ready for school is a breeze!”
Marion
When we started at Ohana we were concerned with socially inappropriate behaviors related to his sensory needs, emotional outbursts at home, worried about his ability to stay engaged at school. He has has huge changes! He knows his sensory needs and can self regulate based on the tools he’s learned and practiced at ‘Ohana. He is doing great at school and his ability to participate in adaptive skills at home have improved tremendously. Ohana has helped us understand our kiddo’s needs much better and given us all the tools we need to help our home be more peaceful. Ohana is a safe , welcoming environment, staff and therapists who care deeply about our kids and family and want to help us in any way they can! – Natalie an Kaala Knell
“When we started therapy at Ohana, I had concerns about my son’s safety, impulsivity, constant meldowns, and his inability to sit still for meals and activities. Occupational therapy has since increased his ability to sit still and find success at kindergarten. He also has a better ability to listen and follow directions.
“Our daughter was always bouncing off the walls. Her impulsiveness would put her in situations that might cause injury and scare us when she would not listen. We also had a really hard time transitioning from one task or setting to another. Our daughter is not able to transition most of the time with verbal coaxing and understands that she needs to listen to us or hold our hand in unsafe areas such as parking lots. Ohana’s tools have also helped her focus much of the time on a task that she has less interest in. We are much more at ease because we have fewer safety concerns and are able to use verbal ques and choices instead of physically having to remove our daughter from unsafe situations.”
Maggie
“It has been wonderful to watch our son’s independence blossom as he is able to do more for himself. We have also enjoyed being able to take him to louder events like parades and live theater. Before we were concerned because our son had heightened sensitivity to noise and stimulation that made it hard for him to participate in anything with a large group. We really appreciate Ohana’s willingness to educate us as parents so that we can continue to help at home.”
“My son has only had a few occupational therapy sessions and we are already seeing improvement. he is able to evaluate “scary” situations, knowing that he has some control over inputs. Our “sensory homework” helps him have a more flexible attitude, and I am seeing less anxious behavior.
Ohana has been a blessing to our family!! We highly recommend Ohana!!”
“Rusty has made improvements in all areas we had concerns in: Behavior, Anger, Tics, and Appetite. We have seen the most improvement in tics and behavior. Ohana has great, friendly staff, lots of toys, they were able to keep things fun during therapy. Rusty seems to be less overstimulated and is able to handle change and transitions better.”
” Before starting at Ohana we had concerns about our son’s emotional control, feeding problems, and repetitive behaviors (tics). Ohana helped us learn to recognize behaviors that can escalate and we learned how to help him deescalate. We learned better ways of helping him try new foods and reduced his stress through movement. Our son is now able to self regulate, he is trying new foods, and he is gaining self confidence.
Karin
“I’m all crazy about ‘Ohana! I tell everyone I know about how much impact you have had on our family. Positive impact! You have given me confidence. I’m more confident when it comes to how we parent the kids and you have given me the courage to change areas that needed improvement. Before starting at ‘Ohana OT Emma was sensitive to loud sounds, had balance issues, unfounded fears to many areas of daily life, and food texture issues. Landon and I truly knew little about Sensory Processing Disorder. Our eyes have been opened ! You all have helped us more than you know. We have better tools to parent two of the most important people in our lives. Family life seems to be more calm. Now Emma does so much better in many areas of her life. One of the biggest changes we’ve seen is that her level of fear is within “normal” range. She actually challenges herself to overcome whatever fear that may come up. Honestly, I’m not sure how ‘Ohana could improve. You all will be missed greatly! Thank you! Thank you Sandi, you have a special bond with Emma and she loves you!” – Donna Michaelson
“I love ALL the workers, they are Amazing! My kids love them too.
They have made a positive change in our life.”
“We loved our time at ‘Ohana OT! Before coming to ‘Ohana OT Silas was having difficulty at home :
- Huge tantrums/meltdowns (especially around meals)
- Hard time regulating his body – too physical with others
- Hard time regulating volume when inappropriate
- Distracted and hard time focusing with external stimuli
Changes I have seen in Silas since coming to ‘Ohana OT include:
- Meltdowns are few and he can usually verbalize through them and be redirected much easier
- Better at regulating and “re-regulating” with verbal cues
- Can more easily refocus him when he is distracted and over stimulated
It was really helpful to have concepts to understand and explain what was happening.
It was helped us have more compassion during challenging times. We liked having “homework” and movements to work on and other activity ideas. It was also helpful to have concepts to keep in mind for future potential difficulties (i.e. in school). We appreciated all the handouts / exercises and info to read. I wouldn’t mind more! Thanks for letting Arlene be a part! Thank you Katie!!”-Stephanie Drexil 8/21/15
“The staff makes OT both fun and challenging, Edward LOVES coming and participating in the activities. They have helped Edward recognize his triggers and given him skills to cope. Wish he could come here just to play! When Edward started at ‘Ohana OT he was having multiple outbursts a day at school. He was aggressive and physical towards the school staff and others. We adopted two small girls and were concerned about his behavior towards them. Now we see changes in Edward. Toward the end of the school year he was able to make it through the day with little or no problems. If he did have an issue, it was usually small, and he was able to work through the problem rather quickly”. – Steve M
“When Payton started at ‘Ohana OT she had problems with behavior, balance, not feeling pain, self-harm, multiple melt-downs daily and she would run away. Since coming to ‘Ohana OT behavior has improved, balance is amazing, feels pain more often, does not self harm as often, meltdowns are down to 1-2x per week or less. She no longer has to be in a shopping cart and walks beside me. She does not run away in parks. She is more balanced and focused. We see “real Payton” more often – most of the time now. You need to clone yourselves – need more of you .” – Ana Marie
“Before coming to ‘Ohana OT Brice was often frustrated with many situations at home that would end in a meltdown. He was also having trouble with loud noises at home and out in public that would end with crying. He’s always been a joy to parent, but Landon and I knew he was struggling and we needed to find help. With the Zones program he is able to detect his frustrations, he uses his tools to calm himself. He’s just a much happier kid now, much more relaxed. I also think that he is more confident and really likes the young man he is becoming. Everyone is so friendly and willing to change with issues that arise. Brice is comfortable and that makes him (and me) happy. You have given me tools to help better parent Brice. Thank You!” – Donna Michaelson
“That was one of the best times I have ever had with my kids! Ohana is such a gift to my family! We love every one of you!”-Kristen Mc Crae
“I love the staff and the care they show for each person. They are so helpful and desire to see goals met and won’t stop or give up until it’s done. When we started our son had temper tantrums, outbursts, and was quickly overwhelmed or frustrated. He was unable to tie his shoes or balance very well. Now he is able to control himself a lot better. Doesn’t hit himself anymore. He can tie his shoes and balance so well now. He is even able to feel dizzy now.”
Thank you ‘Ohana , you’ve been wonderful!”– Lori Dayton
“The OTs at ‘Ohana are the best. They really know what they’re doing and they make every visit fun and interesting. They are also very patient and they truly care about each and every child they work with. Prior to ‘Ohana my son was clumsy. He was constantly tripping and running into things. He was also almost nonverbal. Now he is more confident, his social and verbal skills have improved tremendously. I’m so grateful I came to ‘Ohana to get services for may child, thanks to them my child has improved in so many different areas.”
I really appreciate the knowledge that the staff has about how children grow. ‘Ohana staff have encouraged Shae and I both, with their loving persistence, in the goals we set out towards. Shae is steadily meeting each goal, and we are all reveling in her successes! When Shae first started at ‘Ohana, she was emotionally paralyzed by her fears and lack of confidence. Her body was weak and uncoordinated. She had great difficulty with transitions and new ideas. Now, Shae is courageous and brave! Her muscles have grown, and she is excited to try new things! She responds positively to instruction, and can follow directions well. Thank you ‘Ohana staff, especially Sandi for loving Shae! We are so grateful for your care, your dedication, and your expertise! – Carisa Haven
“Ohana means family” and this OT certainly lives up to that. Parents are encouraged to be an active part of therapy sessions and the therapists are the most caring group of people you could ever wish to meet. Mary is amazing and has chosen a magnificent group of therapists to work with her. ‘Ohana OTs work with you toward goals and celebrate with you and your child as you accomplish them. My daughter never wants to leave!!!” – Gavin Rose
“When Allen started at ‘Ohana he was was shutting down due to sensory overload, as well as in school due to scholastic frustration. The longest period that he became almost catatonic was for six full hours; it was scary, as well as heartbreaking, to watch. My son could not tolerate any but a certain type of clothing and shoe. He would only eat certain foods and refused to try anything new. He had no social skills and was excluded by his peers. My son had a very flat affect and showed no emotion. A good portion of the time he would hide in his room, and when he was out in the common areas of the house, he would not interact well (if at all) with the family. I was afraid that my son would never be able to live and function on his own, and he was getting to the age where I had to think about that.
The change has, in short, been amazing! I am thrilled with the progress he has made, and just today he graduated from ‘Ohana’s OT program. My son can now look strangers in the eye, introduce himself, and shake their hand. My son is attending college – by himself – and doing well. He can shop, cook, do his laundry, care for his pets, drive himself to school, take the bus alone, talk with his peers and understand social cues, and best of all, he is a viable and integral part of the family. He smiles. He gets sarcasm and humor. While he still has things that bother him such as loud noises, crowded areas, certain lighting, etc., he now recognizes that these things are something that he is capable of trying to work around, instead of shutting down or avoiding altogether. It is like he has “woken up” from a long, long nap. He is fully alive.
A good example is his orientation for college. This was WAY beyond what my son wanted to do or was comfortable with. He had to go to the college campus, find the area that the orientation was held, find a place to sit amongst a huge, noisy crowd of his peers, and then listen to a presentation about the school. He did go on his own, but about an hour into the presentation he felt himself getting very uncomfortable. He called me on his cell phone and told me that he was told he did not have to stay and because he was scared, he thought he should leave instead of perhaps regressing into a shutdown. I was very proud that he understood what was happening and took mature steps to help himself and to calm down.
I was impressed with the staff, particularly Mary Kostka, right from the start. Her testing was very thorough for the intake. I was kept informed at all times. I was treated as an equal, and when things were explained to me about my son’s condition, it was never in a condescending manner. I was also moved by the fact that when my son got overwhelmed during his sessions, he was treated with dignity and respect. I feel that my son got treatment above and beyond what I would expect. The staff knew exactly how much to push my son beyond his comfort zone in order to have him learn that he could do things for himself without being afraid.
I really cannot say enough good things about the treatment and care that my son received over the last two years!!! The change in him is nothing short of miraculous… Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I am very happy with every aspect – even the scheduling of appointments was easy. You guys rock!”- Terri T
“I really like that from day 1 he was treated as an individual and not just as another kid. Therapy is always tailored to his needs and not to what the other kids are doing. He is always recognized for his progress and accomplishments and not for what he is unable to do or regressions. I am very thankful for the team including us as team members too; for working with us and including us in the therapy. For understanding that we have busy lives as well and sometimes have bad weeks.Our initial concerns were: Behavioral – My child had a very high stress level, worried a lot, poor self esteem, gave up often without even trying once, had trouble focusing (mostly at school). Physical: Poor balance, fear / hesitant with movement of almost every type (spinning, swinging etc). He now has improved self confidence, better behavior at school (i.e. less disruptive per his teacher, fewer “anger episodes”, better self control (emotionally). He is interacting better with others at home and at school. He is more active, jumping more, and uses swings now. I only wish that we lived closer but certainly don’t mind the long drives as we have seen our son grow immensely over the last 8 months. I appreciate the Saturday appointments! He is now able to participate in Tae Kwon Do which is a boost to his self esteem.” – Sandra Vasquez
“We are so thankful for Mary and the work she has been doing with our son! He has made amazing improvements in just a short time and we expect so much more! For years we were so discouraged because we had not been able to get answers to what was going on with our son. But when Mary came along that all changed dramatically!!! Her knowledge and expertise about Asperger’s and Sensory Integration Disorder has given our entire family the answers we had been looking for all along. We finally feel like we all can help him and, most importantly, our son is so happy to be understood and getting the help he has needed for so long. Our son really enjoys his therapy as well because Mary does such an excellent job at keeping it all fun. She comes HIGHLY recommended from our family! We love her and we are so thankful for all that she has done so far and we look forward to what lies ahead.” -Melinda and Mike Sandberg, Wenatchee
“Ohana is awesome! My son has much improved in the very short amount of time we’ve been with them. Therapists are wonderful!!!!!” – Lori Bennett Dayton, Leavenworth
“Wow!!!
What a difference in just a month. I love that Mary not only works with my child,she also works with me. She shows me things I can do at home to keep his process moving along. Theres so much more to this then occupational therapy…Hope is back.” Marlene B.
“5 Stars. Great, friendly people. My daughter loved going to there for therapy.” Gabrielle S.
“We have already seen results after just two visits. Ms. Kostka is very professional and likes to have the family well-informed and very involved. Her evaluation of our child was very accurate and thorough. It is evident that she truly has an altruistic calling to help those in need. I am thrilled with her knowledge and expertise!” – Terri T.
