Top 10 Occupational Therapists in Des Moines, Iowa (2026)

Verified June 2026. Listings reflect publicly available information from provider websites and directories. Always confirm current services, availability, and insurance directly with the provider.

Occupational therapy helps children build the everyday skills that make childhood work — holding a pencil, managing big feelings, tolerating new textures, getting dressed, eating a wider range of foods, and navigating a busy classroom. For families in Des Moines, the options are strong and varied: from Blank Children's Hospital, the pediatric anchor of UnityPoint Health in central Iowa, and the nonprofit ChildServe, to hospital-based rehab at MercyOne and sensory-focused private clinics across the metro and suburbs. Whether your child is working through sensory processing differences, fine-motor delays, feeding challenges, autism, ADHD, or self-regulation difficulties, there's a central-Iowa OT suited to the way your family lives.

To build this guide, we reviewed Des Moines-area occupational therapy practices and verified that each is currently operating, then captured the specialties, locations, and service models that matter most to families. We list every provider that met our verification bar; the order below reflects breadth of services and accessibility, not a paid or scored ranking. Iowa families also have two important public resources to lean on: Early ACCESS, the state's free birth-to-three early-intervention program, and Iowa Medicaid and Hawki, which can cover medically necessary OT for eligible children. Use this list as a starting point, then reach out to the practices that fit your child's needs and your insurance.

Top 10 Occupational Therapy Providers in Des Moines, IA

How to Choose an Occupational Therapist in Des Moines

The right OT depends on your child's specific goals, your schedule, and your coverage. Here's what to weigh:

• Check credentials. Look for a licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) in Iowa. For specific needs, ask about extra training — for example, sensory integration, reflex integration, or feeding approaches like SOS or Get Permission.
• Match the specialty to the need. Sensory processing, handwriting, feeding, and self-regulation are distinct focus areas. Ask whether the therapist regularly treats your child's concern.
• Confirm insurance and cost up front. Verify in-network status, copays, and visit limits, and ask whether the practice accepts Iowa Medicaid or Hawki, or can provide a superbill if it is out-of-network.
• Consider the setting. Clinics with sensory gyms offer equipment; some local practices add aquatic therapy, in-home visits, or telehealth. Choose what fits your child best.
• Ask about caregiver coaching. The best outcomes come when families carry strategies into daily life, and several local clinics pair treatment with home programming. Ask how the therapist will involve you and measure progress.
• Trust the rapport. Your child should feel safe and engaged. Use an intro call or first session to judge fit.

Questions to ask during a consultation: What is your experience with my child's needs? How will you set and measure goals? How often are sessions, and for how long? How will you coach me at home? What's your approach if progress stalls?

Occupational Therapy Resources in Des Moines

• Early ACCESS Iowa — The state's free early-intervention program offering developmental support and OT evaluations for children from birth to age three.
• Iowa Medicaid & Hawki — State coverage programs that can fund medically necessary occupational therapy for eligible children.
• UnityPoint Health – Blank Children's Hospital — Pediatric evaluations and multidisciplinary clinics across central Iowa.
• ChildServe — A central-Iowa nonprofit offering therapy, evaluations, and family support for children with developmental and complex needs.
• Your child's school district (Des Moines Public Schools / Heartland AEA) — Public schools and Iowa's Area Education Agencies provide OT services for eligible students through IEPs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does occupational therapy cost in Des Moines, Iowa?

Out-of-pocket pediatric occupational therapy in the Des Moines area generally runs about $100–$180 per session at private practices, with evaluations costing more. Many providers accept commercial insurance and Iowa Medicaid (including Hawki), which can reduce your cost to a copay or to $0 for covered, medically necessary services. Some clinics do not publish their accepted plans, so confirm rates and coverage directly with the provider.

Does insurance cover occupational therapy in Iowa?

Many Iowa plans cover occupational therapy when it is medically necessary, and Iowa Medicaid and the Hawki children's program cover OT for eligible children. Coverage limits and prior-authorization rules vary by plan, and some Des Moines practices do not state which insurers they accept, so verify benefits before starting and ask whether a superbill is available if a practice is out-of-network.

What does pediatric occupational therapy help with?

Pediatric OT helps children build the skills they need for daily life: fine motor and handwriting skills, sensory processing and self-regulation, visual-perceptual integration, motor planning and coordination, feeding (including the SOS and Get Permission approaches), and self-care tasks like dressing. OTs often support children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and developmental delays.

How long are occupational therapy sessions for children?

Most pediatric OT sessions in Des Moines last 30 to 60 minutes, typically once or twice a week. Initial evaluations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. Some Blank Children's programs pair clinic visits with home programming so families can carry strategies into daily routines.

Do Des Moines occupational therapists offer telehealth or aquatic therapy?

Yes. Some Des Moines-area OT providers offer alternatives to standard clinic visits — Rise Pediatric Therapy and Kinetic Edge offer teletherapy or telehealth consults, the Blank Children's suburban clinics provide in-home services, and Select Kids Pediatric Therapy in Ankeny offers aquatic therapy and telerehab options.

How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?

Consider an OT evaluation if your child struggles with handwriting or fine motor tasks, is over- or under-sensitive to sensory input, has food aversions or feeding difficulties, has trouble with self-care like dressing, avoids age-appropriate play, or has difficulty with attention and self-regulation. A pediatrician referral or a direct evaluation can clarify whether OT would help.

Find More Therapists in Des Moines

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Related Resources on DrSensory

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