A therapist who believes understanding comes first.
Keri-Lynn Yonika, OTR/L — pediatric occupational therapist, DIR/Floortime-trained professional, and caregiver coach.
Keri-Lynn Yonika, OTR/L
Founder · Pediatric occupational therapist · DIR/Floortime-trained caregiver coach
- Master’s-level occupational therapist with advanced pediatric training.
- DIR/Floortime trained, with a relationship-based approach to connection, communication, and engagement.
- Experience across Birth to Three, school-based services, and feeding therapy.
- Trained in Connecticut Birth to Three caregiver coaching and fidelity-based, family-centered practice.
Hi, I’m Keri-Lynn Yonika, OTR/L, the founder of Growing Through Play.
I’ve worked alongside children and families in early intervention, pediatric outpatient, and school-based settings. Those experiences taught me something I come back to again and again:
“Every child is communicating something — even when we don’t immediately understand how.”
Sometimes a child who seems “uncooperative” is overwhelmed. Sometimes what looks like a behavior problem is actually a need for connection, regulation, communication, or support.
Why I created Growing Through Play
I wanted families to have a place where they could slow down, feel understood, and learn how to connect with their child in meaningful ways.
Understanding comes before changing.
My experience spans
- Pediatric occupational therapy
- Birth to Three
- Caregiver coaching
- School-based therapy
- Feeding therapy
- Sensory processing
- DIR/Floortime®
That range lets me look beyond one behavior or one skill and understand the whole child.
Looking at the whole child
Not just a diagnosis or a list of skills. Together, we consider your child’s:
- Strengths and interests
- Sensory experiences
- Regulation and emotional needs
- Communication style
- Play and engagement
- Daily routines and participation
I get to know your child as a person.
- “What makes them laugh?”
- “What captures their attention?”
- “How do they show you what they need?”
- “What helps them feel safe?”
Those things aren’t distractions from therapy. They’re where we begin.
Our mission
We believe every child has a story to tell, even when they don’t have the words to tell it yet. Our mission is to help families slow down, connect, and discover what their child is communicating through play, movement, relationships, and everyday life. By supporting both the child and the caregiver, we help families build connection, confidence, and meaningful moments together.
Our vision
A future where every child feels understood, every caregiver feels confident, and every family discovers the power of connection through play.
My promise to families
You will never be expected to become your child’s therapist.
My role is to walk alongside you, help you understand your child, and give you practical tools that fit into your actual life.
There is no perfect parent. There is no perfect child. There is simply your child, your family, and the opportunity to grow together.