Top Occupational Therapists in New Orleans, Louisiana (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.

Pediatric occupational therapy helps children build the everyday skills that let them learn, play, and grow more independently — from fine-motor and handwriting work, to sensory integration for kids who are over- or under-responsive to the world around them, to feeding therapy, self-care, and emotional regulation. Across the greater New Orleans area, families can draw on Manning Family Children's (Children's Hospital New Orleans, part of LCMC Health) and Ochsner Children's, as well as dedicated sensory-focused clinics and in-home and school-based providers spanning Orleans and Jefferson parishes and the North Shore — from Uptown and Mid-City to Metairie, Jefferson, Marrero, and Covington.

To build this guide, we reviewed New Orleans-area pediatric occupational therapy practices and verified that each is currently operating, then captured the specialties, locations, and service models that matter most to families — including which practices participate in Louisiana's EarlySteps early-intervention program for children birth to three. Rather than pad this list to a round number, we list the nine providers we verified as offering genuine pediatric occupational therapy in the area. The order below reflects breadth of services and accessibility, not a paid or scored ranking. Use it as a starting point, then reach out to the practices that fit your child's needs and your insurance, including Healthy Louisiana Medicaid plans where accepted.

Top Occupational Therapy Providers in New Orleans, LA

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.

Find More Therapists in New Orleans

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