Sensory Tools in Minneapolis, MN: A Resource Guide for Practitioners and Parents
A comprehensive guide to sensory therapy resources in the Twin Cities, MN — local clinics, sensory gyms, practitioner associations, and tools for OTs, PTs, counselors, and parents.
The Twin Cities metro supports one of the strongest therapy and sensory support ecosystems in the Midwest. With world-class medical institutions, a top-ranked OT program at the University of Minnesota, progressive early intervention mandates, and one of the most culturally diverse populations between the coasts, Minneapolis–Saint Paul offers deep resources for practitioners and families navigating sensory processing, hand therapy, and neurodevelopmental support. Whether you're a practitioner looking for referral partners or a parent searching for local sensory tools and services, this guide covers the clinics, programs, and organizations serving the Twin Cities' sensory community.
Local Clinics & Sensory Resources in Minneapolis
Fraser
One of Minnesota's largest nonprofit providers of autism and disability services. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Fraser offers ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health services, and early childhood programs. Serves children and adults across the metro with clinic-based and community-based models.
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Nationally recognized rehabilitation center, part of Allina Health. Provides comprehensive occupational therapy, physical therapy, and adaptive sports programming across multiple Twin Cities locations. Specializes in brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke recovery, and pediatric rehabilitation.
Children's Minnesota — Occupational and Physical Therapy
Pediatric health system with hospitals in Minneapolis and Saint Paul offering outpatient OT and PT services. Specializes in sensory processing, fine motor development, feeding therapy, and developmental coordination for children from infancy through adolescence.
TRIA Orthopaedic Center
Premier orthopedic and sports medicine practice in Bloomington serving the Twin Cities metro. Hand therapy specialists on staff providing post-surgical rehabilitation, grip strengthening programs, and work injury recovery. Official medical provider for several Minnesota professional sports teams.
Lovaas Institute Midwest — Minneapolis
ABA therapy provider offering intensive early intervention and comprehensive behavioral services for children with autism. Home-based and clinic-based programs supervised by doctoral-level clinicians with expertise in the Lovaas model of ABA.
Behavioral Dimensions
Minnesota-based ABA therapy provider offering center-based and in-home services across the Twin Cities. Evidence-based treatment for autism and related developmental disorders, with a focus on early intervention and school-readiness programming.
Sensory Kids Therapy — Minneapolis
Pediatric occupational therapy clinic specializing in sensory processing disorders, fine motor delays, and self-regulation challenges. Offers individual and group therapy sessions with sensory gym access in a clinic environment designed for pediatric sensory work.
M Health Fairview Rehabilitation Services
University of Minnesota Health and Fairview Health Services' combined rehabilitation network, offering OT, PT, and hand therapy across multiple Twin Cities locations. Academic medical center affiliation means access to the latest evidence-based rehabilitation techniques and clinical trials.
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
VA medical center serving Minnesota's veteran population with comprehensive neuropsychology, rehabilitation, and mental health services. Provides specialized TBI evaluation, PTSD treatment, and hand therapy for veterans in the Twin Cities metro and across greater Minnesota.
Hennepin Healthcare — Rehabilitation Medicine
Hennepin County's safety-net health system provides outpatient rehabilitation services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hand therapy. Located in downtown Minneapolis, serves a diverse patient population with sliding-scale and Medical Assistance-accepted services.
Practitioner Associations & Community Groups
Twin Cities practitioners and families benefit from Minnesota's strong network of professional and advocacy organizations. The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is one of the most active state autism organizations in the country, hosting an annual conference, running social skills groups, and maintaining a comprehensive provider directory. The Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association (MOTA) provides professional development, advocacy, and networking for OTs across the state. The Minnesota Physical Therapy Association supports PTs with continuing education and legislative advocacy, including maintaining Minnesota's direct-access PT laws. The Minnesota School Counselors Association guides school-based practitioners with training aligned to Minnesota's comprehensive school counseling model. The University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration conducts autism research and provides community-facing resources and training. Minnesota's early intervention program, Help Me Grow, connects families of children under 5 with developmental screening and local therapy referrals. The Arc Minnesota advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting families navigating therapy services and school accommodations across the state.
Beast Putty in Minneapolis
Beast Putty fits naturally into the Twin Cities' sensory tools ecosystem. For practitioners, it's a clinic-ready tool that serves double duty — hand strengthening for PTs and OTs, sensory regulation for counselors and ABA therapists, and a portable self-regulation aid that travels with clients from the therapy room to the classroom or the home. Minnesota's extreme winters are particularly hard on traditional therapy putty that stiffens, cracks, and becomes unusable when left in a car or transported between settings — Beast Putty's silicone base maintains its consistency year-round, whether it's in a heated clinic in Uptown or riding in a therapist's bag between home visits in Brooklyn Park and Eagan. For parents, it's an accessible entry point into sensory support — no training required, no mess, no language barriers, and durable enough to survive a Twin Cities family's busy schedule from after-school therapy to weekend hockey games.
Twin Cities Practitioners: Stock Beast Putty in Your Clinic
Bulk pricing for Minneapolis–Saint Paul area therapy practices. Individually packaged, client-ready, and built for Minnesota's demanding clinical environments.
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