Occupational Therapy Clinics in Durham, NC
Find occupational therapy in Durham, NC
- Occupational therapy for autism in Durham, NC 6 clinics
- Occupational therapy for sensory processing in Durham, NC 6 clinics
- Occupational therapy for feeding and swallowing in Durham, NC 5 clinics
- Occupational therapy for fine motor skills in Durham, NC 5 clinics
- Occupational therapy for developmental delay in Durham, NC 4 clinics
Also searched: pediatric occupational therapy near me · occupational therapy near me
Occupational Therapy Clinics in Durham, NC
- 3930 Swarthmore Rd, Durham, NC 27707
- (919) 321-2183
- aptgtherapy.com
- Sensory processing, self- and emotional regulation, social-emotional skills, play skills, fine motor, visual-motor, and graphomotor development
- What they're known for: A Durham clinic with a strong social-emotional and regulation focus alongside fine- and visual-motor work, plus school-based services — a thoughtful fit for children whose sensory and emotional regulation needs show up most in play and the classroom.
- 300 Market St, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (serves Durham families)
- (984) 528-8787
- compleatkidz.com
- Sensory processing, fine motor, self-care, attention, and regulation, delivered alongside ABA, PT, and speech
- What they're known for: A multidisciplinary Chapel Hill clinic — a short drive from Durham — that integrates OT with ABA, PT, and speech and offers in-home and community-based options. A convenient single home for families whose child needs several coordinated services.
- 3624 Shannon Rd, #104, Durham, NC 27707
- (919) 493-7002
- developmentaltherapy.com
- Sensory integration, feeding, handwriting, and autism support
- What they're known for: An established Durham clinic combining sensory integration with feeding and handwriting work, plus teletherapy options. Acceptance of several insurance plans helps streamline access for many families.
- 4709 Creekstone Dr, Suite 250, Durham, NC 27703
- (919) 684-3730
- dukehealth.org
- Autism, feeding disorders, fine and gross motor delays, sensory disorders, and torticollis; seating and mobility, orthotics, and casting
- What they're known for: Duke Children's south Durham location brings hospital-level OT — including specialized seating, orthotics, and casting — to the Creekstone/RTP corridor, with broad insurance acceptance that includes NC Medicaid. A strong choice for children with complex or medical needs.
- 3000 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705
- (919) 684-3730
- dukehealth.org
- Neonatal and infant developmental delays, autism, feeding, motor delays, and sensory disorders
- What they're known for: Housed at Duke's Lenox Baker Children's Hospital, this team carries particular strength with neonatal and infant developmental needs, making it a natural step for babies graduating from the NICU or early-intervention pathways who need hospital-affiliated OT.
- 115 Market St, Suite 201, Durham, NC 27701
- (919) 886-2847
- beearly.nc.gov
- Early-intervention OT, birth to age 3, for developmental delay or established conditions; service coordination and assistive technology
- What they're known for: Durham's Children's Developmental Services Agency administers North Carolina's Infant-Toddler Program locally, providing early-intervention OT in the home, in clinic, and virtually for the youngest children — with sliding-scale costs and a commitment that no family is turned away for inability to pay. It is the essential first call for parents of children under three.
- 3905 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707 (additional location in Carrboro: 110 Two Hills Dr, 27510)
- (919) 928-0204
- emergepediatrictherapy.com
- Sensory processing and integration, self-regulation, dyspraxia, autism, ADHD, executive function, handwriting and fine motor, infant therapy, feeding (SOS approach), and DIR/Floortime
- What they're known for: A deep, sensory-focused pediatric clinic that treats nearly the full breadth of OT needs and pairs OT with speech on site. Its DIR/Floortime and SOS feeding expertise, plus consultative and school support, make it a versatile home base for Durham families — with a second Carrboro location serving the west side of the Triangle.
- 1125 W NC 54, Suite 503, Durham, NC 27707
- (919) 585-4655
- fyzicalkids.com
- Sensory processing, autism, and developmental delay
- What they're known for: A Southpoint-area pediatric clinic that pairs clinic-based OT with mobile services delivered in the home, school, or community — flexibility that helps families fit therapy around real-life routines and locations.
- 1920 NC-54, Ste 240, Durham, NC 27713
- (919) 378-1340
- therapysmarts.net
- Self-care, sensory processing and regulation, handwriting and fine motor, attention and executive function, and play and social skills
- What they're known for: A south Durham clinic that delivers OT across clinic, school, and teletherapy settings, with a practical focus on self-care, executive function, and regulation. Broad insurance acceptance makes intake straightforward for many families.
- UNC Rehab Therapies, 1807 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (also Carolina Pointe II, 6013 Farrington Rd, Ste 201, Chapel Hill 27517; serves Durham families)
- (984) 974-9700
- uncchildrens.org
- Pediatric OT, birth to age 18: daily-living skills, self-feeding, self-care, and developmental support
- What they're known for: The hospital-affiliated pediatric OT program at UNC Children's offers academic-medical-center expertise across the full childhood age range, just over the county line in Chapel Hill — a strong option for Durham families wanting health-system care alongside their child's other UNC specialists.
- 5408 Beaumont Dr, Durham NC 27707
- (919) 493-1974
- kare2communicate.com
- Pediatric speech and language therapy (AAC, stuttering, social communication, childhood apraxia of speech, articulation, autism), communication assessments, physical, occupational and developmental therapy
- What they're known for: A pediatric therapy provider offering speech, physical, occupational and developmental therapy for children, with teletherapy available on request.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Treat?
Occupational therapists help children develop the everyday skills they need to play, learn, and grow more independently. That includes fine and gross motor coordination, handwriting, sensory processing and self-regulation, feeding, motor planning and praxis, visual-perceptual skills, and executive functioning. Sessions are typically play-based and tailored to each child's goals. For adults, occupational therapy covers the same question in a different life: managing daily tasks, work and self-care after injury, illness or a change in ability.
Conditions Occupational Therapy Can Help With
Occupational therapy supports children with a wide range of needs, including sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD and attention difficulties, developmental delay and coordination difficulties, feeding challenges, handwriting and fine-motor delays, and emotional-regulation difficulties. Many clinics also offer evaluations and developmental screenings.
How to Choose an Occupational Therapist in Durham
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 North Carolina. For specific needs, ask about extra training — for example, sensory integration certification, SOS feeding, or DIR/Floortime.
- 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 — including how the clinic handles NC Medicaid managed care — or ask about superbills if the clinic is out-of-network.
- Consider the setting. Clinics with sensory gyms offer equipment; mobile, in-home, and school-based OT brings therapy into real-life routines. Several Durham providers offer both.
- Ask about caregiver coaching. The best outcomes come when families carry strategies into daily life. 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 Durham
- NC Infant-Toddler Program / Durham CDSA (Children's Developmental Services Agency) Early-intervention OT evaluations and services for children birth to age three, on a sliding scale with no family denied for inability to pay.
- Duke Children's Pediatric evaluations and multidisciplinary clinics across the Triangle.
- UNC Children's Hospital-affiliated pediatric OT and rehabilitation in nearby Chapel Hill, serving Durham families.
- Alliance Health (NC Medicaid managed care) Local managed-care support and service coordination for eligible children and families.
- Your child's school district (Durham Public Schools) Schools provide OT services through IEPs and 504 plans for eligible students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does occupational therapy cost in Durham, NC?
Out-of-pocket pediatric occupational therapy in Durham generally runs about $100–$200 per session at private clinics, with evaluations costing more. Many providers accept commercial insurance and NC Medicaid managed care, which can reduce your cost to a copay or to $0 for covered, medically necessary services. Durham's CDSA provides early-intervention OT on a sliding scale and turns no family away for inability to pay. Confirm rates directly with the provider.
Does insurance cover occupational therapy in North Carolina?
Many North Carolina plans cover occupational therapy when it is medically necessary, and NC Medicaid managed care covers OT for eligible children. Coverage at Duke's pediatric clinics commonly includes Aetna, BCBS NC, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, NC Medicaid, TRICARE, and United, among others. Some clinics are out-of-network and provide a superbill for reimbursement, so verify benefits before starting.
What does occupational therapy help with?
OT helps children build the skills they need for daily life: fine motor and handwriting skills, sensory processing and self-regulation, visual-motor integration, motor planning and coordination, feeding, 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 Durham last 30 to 60 minutes, typically once or twice a week. Initial evaluations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. Some clinics also offer school-based, consultative, or intensive models depending on the child's goals.
Do Durham occupational therapists offer in-home or school-based therapy?
Yes. Several Durham-area OT providers offer services beyond the clinic — including FYZICAL Kids (home, school, and community), CompleatKiDZ (in-home and community), and Durham's CDSA, which delivers early-intervention OT in the home, in clinic, and virtually for children from birth to age three. Emerge and Therapy Smarts also offer school-based or consultative support.
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 trouble with self-care like dressing or feeding, 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.
How long is the wait for a first appointment?
It varies by clinic rather than by city, so it is worth asking when you call — a clinic with a long wait for weekly therapy will often book an evaluation much sooner, and some hold cancellation slots. Because of that, most families contact more than one clinic on this page rather than waiting on the first. If your child is under three, your state's early intervention program runs on its own timeline and is worth starting in parallel.
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Medical disclaimer. This directory is for general informational purposes. A listing is not an endorsement, referral, or recommendation, and inclusion does not mean we have verified a provider’s credentials, licensure, or insurance. Confirm those directly with the provider before booking. DrSensory is not affiliated with the clinics listed.