Occupational Therapy in Springfield, MO

Last updated: April 17, 2026

50 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Springfield, MO. 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.

50 providers in Springfield

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 Springfield, MO

Pediatric occupational therapy in Springfield is about the everyday skills a child is struggling with — gripping a pencil and forming letters, managing buttons, zippers, and shoelaces, staying regulated in a busy classroom, and holding attention long enough to get through the school day. Many Springfield parents come in after a teacher raises handwriting or focus, after repeated sensory meltdowns, or as part of an autism or ADHD evaluation.

FindKidTherapy lists NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapists (many credentialed OTR/L) across the Springfield area, including clinics in Galloway, southeast Springfield, and Nixa, plus programs through Cox Health and Mercy Hospital Springfield programs. Some clinics run full sensory gyms; others focus on fine-motor and school readiness, or partner with feeding therapy — worth confirming on the first call.

A typical path is a 60–90 minute evaluation followed by weekly sessions, with home activities so progress carries into daily routines.

For children under three, First Steps can deliver OT in your home while you wait.

Below are the occupational therapy providers currently active in Springfield.

What to expect

The evaluation covers fine motor, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, self-care, and play; you'll receive a written plan with goals, and treatment begins at the next visit. A sensory gym with swings and climbing equipment is normal and therapeutic. Ask whether the therapist is a licensed, registered occupational therapist (OTR/L).

Insurance

MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) covers medically necessary OT for children through MO HealthNet Managed Care plans such as Healthy Blue, Home State Health, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Commercial plans (Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Aetna) typically need prior authorization and may cap annual visits — check yours.

Typical wait times (reported, 2026)

Solo practice 2–6 weeks · mid-sized clinics 4–9 weeks · hospital-affiliated 8–12 weeks.

Start sooner if under 3

First Steps via the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education — OT often in-home, under an IFSP, at no cost.

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Springfield, MO

What does pediatric occupational therapy help with?

Pediatric OT helps with fine motor skills (handwriting, cutting, fasteners), sensory processing, self-care and daily-living skills, and the regulation needed to participate at school. Springfield families often pursue OT after a teacher flags handwriting or attention, after sensory difficulties, or alongside an autism or ADHD evaluation.

Does MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) cover occupational therapy in Springfield?

Yes. MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) covers medically necessary OT for children, delivered through MO HealthNet Managed Care plans such as Healthy Blue, Home State Health, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Prior authorization is typically required after the evaluation. Confirm the practice is in-network with your plan before scheduling.

What's the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy for kids?

Physical therapy targets gross motor skills — walking, balance, strength, coordination. Occupational therapy targets fine motor and functional daily skills, sensory processing, and self-care. Some children see both. If you're unsure which your child needs, an OT or PT evaluation can point you in the right direction.

How long is the wait for a pediatric OT evaluation in Springfield?

Wait times in the Springfield area vary by provider type — solo practices start soonest, then mid-sized clinics, with hospital-affiliated programs longest. Children under three can often begin sooner through First Steps, which delivers OT in the home.

Why does my child's OT use swings and climbing equipment?

A sensory gym with swings, ball pits, and climbing equipment is standard pediatric OT. Movement-based activities help children with sensory processing and motor planning, and play is the natural way children build these skills. It looks like fun because engagement is part of how OT works.

Can OT help with my child's handwriting specifically?

Yes. Handwriting difficulty is one of the most common reasons children are referred to OT. The therapist assesses grip, hand strength, visual-motor skills, and posture, then works on the underlying skills rather than drilling letters. Many Springfield OTs offer school-readiness and handwriting-focused programs.

Other Therapy Types in Springfield

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Springfield

Alexandria Dunlop

Springfield, MO

Occupational Therapy in Springfield, MO

Occupational Therapy in Springfield, MO

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Springfield, MO

Other Therapy Types in Springfield

50 OT Therapists in Springfield

Alexandria Dunlop

Aninda Chakraborty, OTR/L

Bailey Abram, OTR/L

Breanna Green

Brenda Burk

Brittney Hembree, OTR/L

Collin Hill, OTR/L

Courtney Barr, OT

David Brown, OTR/L

Debra Beauchamp, OTR/L

Derylin Dobyns, OTR

Elizabeth Clark, OTR/L

Fernando Bayanin

Gabrielle Bennett, OTRL

Grace Beyer, OTR

Hallie Anderson, OTR/L

Hannah Cantrell

James Dauber, OTR/L, ATP

Jamie Barlow, MOT, OTR/L

Janie Flint, OTR/L

Jessica Brown

Karen Dela Cruz, OTR

Kassadee Appletoft, OTR/L

Kayla Cook, OT

Kevin Dennis, OTR/L

Krista Haugland, OTR

Kristen Carnes, OTR/L

Kristy Bright, OT

Kylie Hammerschmidt, OTR/L

Lalaine Duaban, OTR

Leah Gossard

Linsey Eckles, OTR/L

Lisa Fowler-Koeppe, OTR

Maria Hermann

Marianne Hill, OTR

Matthew Brown, OTR/L

Miranda Benson, MOT

Monica Clement, OTRL

Nancy Dickey, OTR

Nicole Bredbenner

Nona Theresa Bayanin

Promise Bishop

Rachel Compere, OTR/L, CHT

Rajab Echessa

Sarah Buerck, MS, OTR/L

Sharon Bowie, OTR/L

Suzanne Ervin, OTR

Tara Boehne, OTR/L

Tina Carson, OTR L MOT

Ysabelle Drage, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Springfield, MO

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Springfield

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy