Inspiring Conversations with Gabrielle (Gabby) Scheuler of Therapeutic Playhouse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle (Gabby) Scheuler.

Hi Gabrielle (Gabby), so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I have served the Kansas City community as a pediatric Occupational Therapist since 2017. I have always been passionate about helping kids and their families reach their full potential. However, developing community opportunities for kids with disabilities started during my graduate school journey at Mizzou. I collaborated with my professors and peers to establish an adapted swim lesson program for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since then, my passion has always been to listen to parents and fill their needs. After working at a small pediatric practice for 5 years, I decided to take a jump and fulfill the needs of our community by creating opportunities by developing the Therapeutic Playhouse. The opportunity for kids to learn and grow among their peers in a safe and fun environment. After listening to concerned parents and observing my kids seek out more than what I could provide in an individual session, I created the Playhouse. There wasn’t enough early childhood support or groups. Then it expanded to assisting young kids in navigating the social world and created each Playhouse program after listening to a need. The Playhouse also provides family coaching because it takes a village to help each child develop the skills they need to be successful at home or school.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been blessed with an amazing support system from my family, friends, and the families I have served. I think the biggest obstacle is time and space. I am a dreamer but believe in giving 110% of myself to make a successful program that truly fits the need of the community.

As you know, we’re big fans of Therapeutic Playhouse. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
The Playhouse has a variety of programs for kids and their parents. We have a Language & Motor Preschool for kids ages 3-5 that meets on Friday mornings for 8 weeks. We establish goals with parents and can address fine and gross motor needs, language/speech delays, anxiety, play skills, picky eating, attention, and so much more. This past summer, we also ran a Kindergarten Prep class to help kids starting school this fall. The Therapeutic Playhouse also offers peer/social groups that meet once a month. We have a Girl’s and Boy’s Group option that meets and separate days of the month. We strive to create an opportunity for preteens and teens to connect and grow socially and emotionally. Each month our skilled occupational therapists create a curriculum that addresses confidence, mindfulness, and social-emotional regulation through games, yoga, and lots of laughs. The Playhouse also offers individual in-home therapy along with virtual visits. We provide parent coaching and can work with first-time parents to address developmental concerns and sleep. Our latest endeavor is collaborating with daycare and preschools to provide training on how to help children be successful in the classroom and grow flexible thinkers.

Mission Statement:
Helping children reach their full potential
collaborating with parents and providing group opportunities for them to grow and develop with their peers. We strive to create an individualized plan of care to help build your child up to be successful in any environment.

Core Values:
*Coaching parents to feel empowered to best support their child at home and school
*Providing opportunities for kids to feel safe, confident, and loved in a variety of group settings
*Educating parents on developmental milestones and providing tools to help children that might need extra support
*Skilled direct occupational therapy services to address social-emotional regulation, academic (dyslexia or dysgraphia), attention/executive functioning, motor planning/coordination, feeding, sensory regulation, fine motor skills, sleep hygiene, bowel/bladder regulation
*Supporting the whole family unit by building personalized care plans so everyone can grow together

I am proud that all our programs came from listening to parents and the kids I serve. My goal is to make life easier for kids and help them grow into whatever they want to be in the future. Some of our best leaders struggle with anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory or social-emotional regulation. I want to be the support they need. Your child doesn’t have to be struggling or have a diagnosis to reach out today or join one of our groups. My goal is to give your child the tips or tools they need to navigate any environment and our busy world. Occupational therapy can be for any child! Our children are our future, so let’s equip them for anything!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Behind every successful individual or company is a line of mentors. I am honored to have some of the best mentors, and that has always been my go-to advice. I started seeking out mentors in college and love connecting with others to hear their passions. My advice is to seek out similar businesses or a local business coach to help you get started. Don’t miss an opportunity to connect if someone reaches out for a coffee date; you never know what it could lead to. I worked with Megan from Megan’s Yoga Tribe to jump-start my business and passions. She is a wealth of knowledge for the Lee’s Summit community. PubliSHEd is another amazing resource to seek out for women in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: Therapeutic Playhouse https://www.therapeuticplayhouse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapeutic_playhouse/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=therapeutic%20playhouse