Occupational Therapy in Chattanooga, TN

Last updated: April 17, 2026

44 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Chattanooga, TN. 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.

44 providers in Chattanooga

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 Chattanooga, TN

Pediatric occupational therapy in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga area, including clinics in East Brainerd, Hixson, and Ooltewah, plus programs through Children's Hospital at Erlanger and the Siskin Children's Institute 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, the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) can deliver OT in your home while you wait.

Below are the occupational therapy providers currently active in Chattanooga.

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

Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) covers medically necessary OT for children through TennCare managed-care organizations BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint. Commercial plans (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare) 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

the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) via the Tennessee Department of Education — OT often in-home, under an IFSP, at no cost.

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Chattanooga, TN

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

Does Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) cover occupational therapy in Chattanooga?

Yes. Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) covers medically necessary OT for children, delivered through TennCare managed-care organizations BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint. 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 Chattanooga?

Wait times in the Chattanooga 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 the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), 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 Chattanooga OTs offer school-readiness and handwriting-focused programs.

Other Therapy Types in Chattanooga

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

44 OT Therapists in Chattanooga

Amanda Cutting, OTR/L

Chattanooga, TN

Occupational Therapy in Chattanooga, TN

Occupational Therapy in Chattanooga, TN

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Chattanooga, TN

Other Therapy Types in Chattanooga

44 OT Therapists in Chattanooga

Amanda Cutting, OTR/L

Amy Burba, OTR/L

Anna Anderson, OTD

Candice Hays

Carolyn Chung

Carolyn Hoagland, OT

Chelsea Holden, OTR/L

Cheryl Giest, O.T.D., OTR/L

Cori Cohen, OTD, OTR/L

Cynthia Houck

Elizabeth Carr, OTR/L

Erica French, OTD, OTR/L

Giulia Deem

Hannah Afman, OTD

Hanna Horchi, OTD, OTR/L

Hayley Davis, OTD/L, CPAM

Heather Henderson, OTRL

Jan Crye, OTR

Jennifer Burgess, OT

Jennifer Durham, M.Ed, OTR/L, CHT

Jennifer Ehlers

Jennifer Greene, OT

Jessica Crowe, OTR/L

Kathleen Chapman, OT

Kathryn Carter, OT

Kimberly Bryant, OT

Laura Estrada, OTR

Lauren Guin

Manjiri Arole-Karle, OTR

Margaret Hall, OTR/L

Melissa Christopher, OTR

Michelle Freeman, OT

Michelle Gray, MS, OTR/L, CLT

Nicole Curtis, OTD, OTR/L

Noel Crowder, OTD

Pamela Byrd, OTR/L

Pamela Evans, OTR/L

Rachael Hunter

Rachel Garber

Rebecca Bullock, OT

Samantha Bridges, OTR/L

Sarah Dinicolantonio, OTR/L

Stacey Cunningham, PhD, MHS, OTR/L

Tod Cain, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Chattanooga, TN

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Chattanooga

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy