Occupational Therapy Clinics in New Orleans, LA
Occupational Therapy Clinics in New Orleans, LA
- 200 Henry Clay Ave, New Orleans, LA 70118
- (504) 899-9511
- manningchildrens.org
- Fine and visual-motor skills, sensory integration, feeding and oral-motor therapy, splinting, activities of daily living (ADLs), and developmental milestones; acute, inpatient, and outpatient care by referral
- What they're known for: As the region's flagship pediatric hospital (formerly Children's Hospital New Orleans, now Manning Family Children's within LCMC Health), its outpatient rehab team offers hospital-level coordination across disciplines — a strong choice for children with complex or co-occurring medical needs.
- 1319 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson, LA 70121 (with additional locations in Metairie and New Orleans)
- (504) 493-2019
- ochsner.org
- Fine-motor and play skills, self-care and ADLs, adaptive equipment and assistive technology, plus feeding and sensory integration; clinic-based outpatient care
- What they're known for: A health-system pediatric program anchored by the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development, useful for families who want comprehensive developmental assessment alongside occupational therapy at multiple area locations.
- 4317 El Dorado St, Metairie, LA 70006
- (504) 517-5437
- kim4kidsnola.com
- Fine motor, sensory integration and processing, visual-motor skills, self-care, emotional regulation, and feeding; experience with autism and ADHD; clinic and school-based delivery
- What they're known for: A pediatric-focused Metairie practice with strong sensory-integration and emotional-regulation programming, plus school-based services that extend therapy into the classroom.
- 3329 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001 (with an additional Elmwood location)
- (504) 565-7300
- tlcnola.com
- Feeding therapy, sensory processing, handwriting, reflex integration, fine and gross motor skills, and emotional regulation; individual, group, and day programs; clinic and school-based
- What they're known for: A multidisciplinary center with Metairie and Elmwood locations offering a wide range of program models — individual, group, and day programs — for children with sensory and developmental needs.
- 3105 18th St, Metairie, LA 70002 (also 3923 Bienville St, New Orleans)
- (504) 866-6990
- cranerehabpediatrics.com
- Handwriting and sensory processing; SOS Approach to Feeding, Handwriting Without Tears, and Interactive Metronome; experience with autism and learning disabilities; clinic and on-campus at schools
- What they're known for: A multidisciplinary pediatric rehab center with clinics in Metairie and Mid-City New Orleans, recognized for structured, evidence-based programs and on-campus school services.
- 3926 Barron St, C204, Metairie, LA 70002
- (504) 517-5108
- brightstartnola.com
- Fine and visual-motor skills, sensory processing and regulation, handwriting, self-care, feeding, and hand therapy/orthotics; experience with autism and ADHD; Louisiana EarlySteps provider; clinic and in-home
- What they're known for: A practice that combines clinic and in-home OT with Louisiana EarlySteps participation — a good fit for families of young children who want continuity from early intervention into ongoing therapy.
- 4899 Westbank Expy, Ste D, Marrero, LA 70072
- (504) 341-7300
- integrativetouchpedot.net
- Pediatric occupational therapy delivered through a sensory-integration approach
- What they're known for: A dedicated pediatric OT practice on the West Bank in Marrero, focused on sensory-integration-based therapy — a convenient option for families across the river.
- 106 East 25th Ave, Covington, LA 70433
- (985) 327-5352
- theraplayot.com
- Sensory integration, reflex integration, handwriting, and feeding therapy for ages 0–18; Louisiana EarlySteps provider; clinic and home health
- What they're known for: A North Shore pediatric OT practice serving Covington and the surrounding area, with EarlySteps participation and both clinic and home-health delivery for children from infancy through the teen years.
- Uptown, New Orleans, LA 70115 (confirm pediatric services directly)
- (504) 895-0638
- moreaupt.com
- Grasping, manual dexterity, visual-motor integration, self-care, handwriting, and feeding; experience with autism; outpatient clinic
- What they're known for: An Uptown outpatient clinic that lists pediatric occupational therapy services among its offerings. Because Moreau is primarily a physical therapy group, confirm current pediatric OT availability and scheduling directly before your first visit.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Treat?
Pediatric 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 New Orleans
The "best" occupational therapist is the one who fits your child's specific needs, your schedule, and your budget. Here's what to weigh:
- Check credentials. Look for a licensed and registered occupational therapist (OTR/L) in Louisiana. For specialized needs, ask about training in sensory integration, feeding (for example, the SOS Approach), or handwriting programs.
- Match the specialty to the need. Sensory integration, feeding therapy, handwriting, and self-care are distinct areas. Ask how often the therapist treats your child's specific concern.
- Confirm insurance and cost up front. Verify in-network status, copays, visit limits, and prior-authorization rules — including for Healthy Louisiana Medicaid plans — or ask for a superbill if the practice is private-pay.
- Consider the setting. Some children thrive in a sensory-equipped clinic; others do better with in-home or school-based therapy. Several New Orleans providers offer more than one model.
- Ask about EarlySteps eligibility. If your child is under three, ask whether the provider participates in Louisiana EarlySteps, which can support early intervention at little or no cost to eligible families.
- Trust the rapport. Your child should feel comfortable. Many practices offer a brief consultation — use it to gauge fit before committing.
Questions to ask during a consultation
- What is your experience with my child's diagnosis?
- How will you set and track goals?
- How often will sessions be, and for how long?
- How do you involve parents?
- What happens if we don't see progress?
Occupational Therapy Resources in New Orleans
- Louisiana EarlySteps The state's early-intervention program providing free or low-cost developmental support and OT evaluations for children birth to age three.
- Healthy Louisiana / Louisiana Medicaid Medicaid managed-care plans that cover medically necessary occupational therapy for eligible children.
- Manning Family Children's (Children's Hospital New Orleans, LCMC Health) Pediatric evaluations, multidisciplinary clinics, and developmental resources for families across the region.
- Ochsner Children's — Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development Developmental assessment and pediatric therapy services across the greater New Orleans area.
- Your child's school district Orleans and Jefferson Parish public schools provide occupational therapy services through IEPs and 504 plans for eligible students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pediatric occupational therapy cost in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Private-pay pediatric occupational therapy in the New Orleans area typically runs about $100–$190 per session, while hospital-affiliated programs at systems like Children's Hospital New Orleans or Ochsner may bill differently. Many local providers accept commercial insurance and Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) plans, which can reduce your cost to a copay or to $0 for covered, medically necessary services. Always confirm rates and coverage directly with the provider.
Does insurance cover occupational therapy in Louisiana?
Many Louisiana health plans cover occupational therapy when it is medically necessary, and Louisiana Medicaid through the Healthy Louisiana managed-care plans covers OT for eligible children. Coverage limits, prior-authorization rules, and visit caps vary by plan, so verify benefits before starting. Some New Orleans practices are private-pay only and can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
What conditions does pediatric occupational therapy treat?
Pediatric occupational therapists help children with fine and visual-motor delays, sensory processing and sensory integration difficulties, handwriting struggles, self-care and daily-living skills, feeding and oral-motor concerns, emotional regulation, and developmental delays. They often support children with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences in building independence and confidence.
How long are pediatric occupational therapy sessions?
Most pediatric OT sessions in New Orleans last 30 to 60 minutes, with frequency depending on the child's goals — often once or twice a week. Evaluations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. Some clinics also offer group sessions or day-program models in addition to individual therapy.
Do New Orleans occupational therapists offer in-home or school-based services?
Yes. Several New Orleans-area OT providers — including Kim4Kids, Therapeutic Learning Center, CRANE Rehab Center Pediatrics, and Bright Start NOLA — offer school-based and/or in-home services in addition to clinic-based care, so therapy can happen where the child is most comfortable.
At what age should my child start occupational therapy?
There is no age that is too early. Louisiana's EarlySteps program provides early intervention for children from birth to age three, and several New Orleans OT practices are EarlySteps providers. Older children with handwriting, sensory, or self-care challenges can also benefit, so an evaluation can be appropriate at any age.
How long is the wait for a first appointment?
It varies by practice 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 practice 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 practices listed.