Occupational Therapy in Salem, OR

Last updated: April 17, 2026

50 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Salem, OR. 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 Salem

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 Salem, OR

Pediatric occupational therapy in Salem 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 Salem 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 verified pediatric occupational therapists (many credentialed OTR/L) across the Salem area, including clinics in South Salem, West Salem, and Keizer, plus programs through Salem Health and the Willamette Education Service District 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, Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) can deliver OT in your home while you wait.

Below are the occupational therapy providers currently active in Salem.

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

the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) covers medically necessary OT for children through coordinated care organizations (CCOs) such as PacificSource Community Solutions and Trillium Community Health Plan. Commercial plans (Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, PacificSource, Providence Health Plan, and Aetna) typically need prior authorization and may cap annual visits — check yours.

Typical wait times (reported, 2026)

Solo practice 3–7 weeks · mid-sized clinics 5–10 weeks · hospital-affiliated 8–13 weeks.

Start sooner if under 3

Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) via the Oregon Department of Education — OT often in-home, under an IFSP, at no cost.

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Salem, OR

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. Salem families often pursue OT after a teacher flags handwriting or attention, after sensory difficulties, or alongside an autism or ADHD evaluation.

Does the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) cover occupational therapy in Salem?

Yes. the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) covers medically necessary OT for children, delivered through coordinated care organizations (CCOs) such as PacificSource Community Solutions and Trillium Community Health 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 Salem?

Wait times in the Salem 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 Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE), 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 Salem OTs offer school-readiness and handwriting-focused programs.

Other Therapy Types in Salem

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Salem

Amy Andreas, OTR/L

Salem, OR

Occupational Therapy in Salem, OR

Occupational Therapy in Salem, OR

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Salem, OR

Other Therapy Types in Salem

50 OT Therapists in Salem

Amy Andreas, OTR/L

Amy Haslett, MS OTR/L

Amy Manning, OT

Andrew Cox, OTRL CHT

Anne Hopkins, OTR L

Ann Kilborn

Bailee Guymon, OTR/L

Barbara Lowry

Beth Diener

Brenda Long, OTR/L

Brett Hensley, MOT

Bryan Harter, OT

Caeli Brannon, OTR/L

Calli Marg, OTR/L

Cara Crawford, OTR/L

Caroline Bader, OTR/L

Cathy Meyer, OT

Christine Chong, OTD, OTR/L

Courtney Hjelmervik

Cynthia Koch, OTR/L

Denise Kean, OTR/L

Diana Hodapp, OTR/L

Dorothy Layer, OTR

Edie Berglund

Evan Crew, OT

Gail Hudson, O.T

George Krueger, OTR/L

Jessie Carrigan, OTR

Jodie Mccue, OT

Joelle Garland, OTR/L

John Fisher, M.S., OTR, CHT

Jon Bukowski, OTD, R/L

Jordain Mahr, OTD, MHA

Justen Bowser, OTD, OTR/L

Kerri Knight, OTR/L

Kimberly Canino, OT

Marie Hook, OTR

Marissa Delp, OTR/L

Mark Healy, OTRL CHT

Nicole Ernat

Nicole Groll, OTR/L

Oanh Bui, OTD

Rebecca Beckley, OTD, OTR/L

Sarah Carlton

Shawna Iverson, MOT OTR L

Susan Klof, OTR

Tam Le, MOT

Tanya Bordadora, OTR/L

Tawnee Cain, OTR/L

Vanessa Baccarat, OTR

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Salem, OR

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Salem

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy