Our Journey:

How Groundplay Helped Transform Our Family

Where We Started

As a stay-at-home dad, I was completely burned out—physically, mentally, emotionally. Our family was falling apart. My marriage was strained to the point of near-divorce, and I had no support system. We were on an endless waitlist for OT services for our neurodivergent son, and I was running out of hope. When we found Groundplay, it was out of desperation.

The Early Struggles


Those first sessions at Groundplay were tough. My son was dysregulated, often trying to elope and acting out in ways I didn’t know how to manage. I had no idea what OT even could do—I just hoped it might help. Hannah, our therapist, was newly licensed, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the start, it was clear: she truly cared and was completely invested in my son’s growth.

How Things Changed


Week by week, things started to shift. Hannah tuned into my son’s special interests—first coins, then screws—and used them to create play that helped him regulate and engage. Slowly, he began learning how to self-regulate, communicate his needs, and even form friendships at school.

Groundplay didn’t just help my son. They helped me understand him better. Hannah gently guided us toward realizing his neurotype, including signs of autism and PDA (Pervasive Demand for Autonomy). That shift in understanding changed everything about how we parent.

We even transformed our home to support him more—installing a swing, monkey bars, a slide, and a trapeze bar—so he could regulate through play.

A Difficult Detour


When insurance changed, we had to switch to a different clinic. Almost immediately, I saw the difference—and not in a good way. The environment lacked the care, cleanliness, and attentiveness of Groundplay. My son began to regress, and I felt like we were going backward. We knew we had to go back. Fortunately, insurance shifted again, and Groundplay was covered once more. We didn’t hesitate.

Where We Are

Now
 my son is more regulated, more expressive, and more socially connected. I’m a more grounded and capable parent. Hannah and the team at Groundplay didn’t just support my child—they supported me. At one point, I felt more understood by her than by my own family.

If You're Considering Groundplay


I can honestly say Groundplay changed the course of our lives. They offer true, neuroaffirming support without judgment. They meet our kids where they are and help them—and us—grow. Groundplay didn’t just help my son thrive. They helped hold our family together.