Occupational Therapy in Washington, DC

Last updated: April 17, 2026

404 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Washington, DC. Each listing includes the provider's name, location, specialties, listed credentials, and current new-patient status, with a link to the full profile and to verify the provider in the official NBCOT registry. Listings refreshed from the NPPES registry April 2026.

404 providers in Washington — showing 50 per page (page 1 of 9)

How we vet: Every listing starts from the provider's federal CMS NPI record and is refreshed from the registry on a recurring schedule, with direct links to the certification or state-licensing body for its specialty so you can verify credentials at the source. We do not accept paid placement. Read our full verification methodology.

Occupational Therapy in Washington, DC

Finding a pediatric occupational therapist for your child in Washington, DC often starts with a specific concern: handwriting and fine-motor skills, sensory processing, self-feeding, or the daily-living routines that make mornings hard. FindKidTherapy lists pediatric OT providers across the District, from sensory-gym clinics in Ward 4 (Petworth, Takoma) and Ward 6 to hospital-affiliated programs at Children's National Hospital and The HSC Health Care System.

DC's pediatric OT market is deep but concentrated near the larger clinics, so wait times tend to run longest at hospital-affiliated programs and shortest at solo and smaller practices. If your child is under three, you can often start sooner through Strong Start — the DC Early Intervention Program — rather than waiting on a private list.

Most DC families begin with an evaluation that looks at fine-motor, sensory, and daily-living skills, then move into weekly sessions, often in a sensory-gym setting. Many clinics coordinate OT alongside speech or feeding therapy when a child is working across more than one discipline — a common pattern for children with autism or sensory-processing differences.

Below you'll find the occupational therapy providers currently active in Washington, DC. First, here's what local parents tell us they wish they'd known before their first call.

What to expect

A first visit is an evaluation, not treatment — expect hands-on assessment of fine-motor, sensory, and daily-living skills, a caregiver interview, and a written summary with goals. Bring any pediatrician notes or prior IEP/IFSP paperwork.

Insurance

DC Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the federal EPSDT benefit. District managed-care plans commonly include AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan DC, and MedStar Family Choice DC; some children are covered through HSCSN. Commercial plans common in DC — CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare — typically reimburse, generally with prior authorization after the evaluation. Verify your specific plan before the first visit.

Typical wait times (reported, varies)

solo private practice 2–6 weeks · mid-sized clinics 4–10 weeks · sensory-gym / high-demand clinics 6–12 weeks · hospital-affiliated (Children's National, HSC) 8–14 weeks.

Start sooner if under 3

Strong Start — the DC Early Intervention Program (IDEA Part C), run by OSSE — is free, often in-home, and mandated to begin services within 45 days of an eligibility decision. Referral line (202) 727-3665 [verify]. Children ages 3–5 are served through DCPS Early Stages.

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Washington, DC

How long is the wait for pediatric occupational therapy in Washington, DC?

It varies by provider type. Solo private practices typically report starting in 2–6 weeks, mid-sized and sensory-gym clinics in 4–12 weeks, and hospital-affiliated programs in 8–14 weeks. If your child is under three, Strong Start — the DC Early Intervention Program — is mandated to begin services within 45 days of an eligibility decision, which is often faster than a private waitlist.

Does DC Medicaid cover occupational therapy?

Yes. DC Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the federal EPSDT benefit. District managed-care plans commonly include AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, CareFirst Community Health Plan DC, and MedStar Family Choice DC, and some children are covered through HSCSN. Prior authorization is usually required after the initial evaluation.

What does a first OT evaluation in DC cost without insurance?

Out-of-pocket OT evaluations in the DC area are typically reported in a range that varies by provider and scope, with weekly sessions billed separately. Many clinics offer sliding-scale fees for uninsured families — ask directly when you call, as pricing varies.

What is a sensory gym and does my child need one in DC?

A sensory gym is a therapy space with swings, climbing equipment, and tactile stations used during occupational therapy sessions. Whether it fits your child depends on their individual goals, which the evaluating therapist will discuss with you. Many DC clinics offer sensory-gym settings; availability varies by neighborhood.

Can my child receive OT and speech therapy at the same clinic in DC?

Often, yes. Many DC providers coordinate occupational therapy alongside speech or feeding therapy for children working across more than one area, such as autism or sensory-processing differences. Ask each provider whether they offer coordinated scheduling, as availability varies.

Other Therapy Types in Washington

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Washington

Aaron Starks, OTR/L

Washington, DC

Occupational Therapy in Washington, DC

Occupational Therapy in Washington, DC

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Washington, DC

Other Therapy Types in Washington

50 OT Therapists in Washington

Aaron Starks, OTR/L

Abigail Mitchell

Aditi Kulkarni

Alan Blanc, O.T.

Alden Lord, OTR/L

Alejandro Small, OTRL

Alethea Merelos, OTR/L, CPAM, CBIS

Alethia Bassett

Alexandra Bruce, OTD, OTR/L

Alexandra Riordan

Alexis Huesgen, OTR/L

Alicia Nti, OTD

Alison Cogan, PhD, OTR/L

Alison King, OTR/L, CHT

Allegra Burney

Allison Christoff, OTD

Allyson Marvin, MS OTR/L

Amber Shojaie, OTD, OTR/L

Amber Uhrin, OTR

A. Michael Saldana, OTR

Amorisa Rosario, OTR

Amy Fox, OTR/L

Andrea Meehan, OTR/L

Andrea Turck

Angela Leak

Angella Chen, OTD

Anjali Noronha, OTR

Anna Lombardo

Anne Burke, EdD, OTR

Anne Marie Histon Kellner, OT

Annemarie Orr, OTR/L

Anne Mcdonald, O.T.

Ann Smith-Williams, OT/L

April Shaffer, OT

Ariel Toback

Ashley Gilmore, OTR/L

Ashley Solomon, OTR/L

Ashley Thompson, OTD, OTR/L

Audrey Gilliam, OTR/L

Ava Fitzpatrick, OTR/L

Awah Muma

Azad Kanan, MS, OTR/L

Babette Jones

Bailey Widener, OTR/L

Barbra Saaty, OTR

Beck Giallella, OTR/L

Beth Anderson, MS, OTR/L

Bethzaida Arias Hoskins

Brandon Blackwell, OTR/L

Briana Teasley, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Washington, DC

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Washington

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy