Need a fresh look at occupational therapy that actually translates to home, school, and play? We sit down with Karyn Buky, founder of Butterfly Therapies Inc., to explore a family-centered OT model where parents are in the room, learning alongside their child. Karyn’s journey started at thirteen when she coached a Special Olympics gymnastics team by herself—a formative experience that shaped her belief in capability, compassion, and meaningful activity. Three decades later, she leads a boutique practice serving children ages two to twenty with therapists trained at the master’s and doctoral levels and advanced expertise in sensory integration.

We unpack what “occupation” really means for kids: dressing without a battle, sitting through dinner without a meltdown, following a routine, and managing school demands. Karyn explains how private treatment rooms, monkey bars, swings, and rock walls become tools for building regulation, attention, and motor planning without overwhelming sensitive nervous systems. Instead of a noisy open gym, Butterfly offers one-on-one sessions that let therapists calibrate sensory input and coach parents moment by moment, so strategies stick outside the clinic.

Karyn also shares how the practice grew through grassroots trust—PTA talks, teacher trainings, and parents helping parents. You’ll hear practical examples of calming activities, handwriting grips, and behavior supports that families can apply the same day. If you’re seeking occupational therapy that honors your child’s strengths and gives you clear tools to use at home, this conversation lays out what to look for and why a small, specialized clinic can make a big difference. Subscribe for more local stories, share this with a caregiver who needs it, and leave a review to help neighbors find resources that work.