Occupational Therapy in Knoxville, TN

Last updated: April 17, 2026

71 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Knoxville, 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.

71 providers in Knoxville — showing 50 per page (page 1 of 2)

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 Knoxville, TN

Pediatric occupational therapy in Knoxville helps children master the everyday skills that aren't coming together yet — pencil grip and handwriting, dressing and self-care, sensory regulation, and the attention to make it through a school day. Parents often arrive after a teacher raises handwriting or focus, after a run of sensory meltdowns, or as part of an autism or ADHD evaluation.

FindKidTherapy lists NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapists (many credentialed OTR/L) across the Knoxville area, including clinics in West Knoxville, Hardin Valley, Bearden, and Fountain City, plus programs through East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Knoxville's OT supply is solid for a mid-sized metro, though families in the surrounding counties may still travel toward the city for specialized care. 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. Many Knoxville families coordinate OT with speech therapy.

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 Knoxville.

What to expect

The evaluation covers fine motor, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, self-care, and play; you'll get 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 its managed-care organizations (BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Wellpoint). Commercial plans (BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare) typically need prior authorization and may cap annual visits — check yours.

Typical wait times (reported, 2026)

Solo practice 2–5 weeks · mid-sized clinics 4–9 weeks · hospital-affiliated 8–12 weeks.

Start sooner if under 3

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

Does TennCare cover occupational therapy in Knoxville?

Yes. Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) covers medically necessary OT for children, delivered through its 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 TennCare 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 Knoxville?

Solo practices in the Knoxville area typically start in 2–5 weeks, mid-sized clinics in 4–9 weeks, and hospital-affiliated programs in 8–12 weeks. 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 Knoxville OTs offer school-readiness and handwriting-focused programs.

Other Therapy Types in Knoxville

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Knoxville

Abby Green, OTD R/L

Knoxville, TN

Occupational Therapy in Knoxville, TN

Occupational Therapy in Knoxville, TN

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Knoxville, TN

Other Therapy Types in Knoxville

50 OT Therapists in Knoxville

Abby Green, OTD R/L

Alyssa Clark

Ashlyn Case

Ashlynn Castellon, OTD, OTR/L

Ashton Amburn, MOT, OTR

Beth Bostrom

Bradley Buchanan

Brandi Carter

Brooke Hullett, OT

Cailin Capra, OTD

Carmen Freer, OTR/L

Christine Adaline, OTDR/L

Colleen Dougherty Bullen, OTR/L

Crystal Henley, OTR/L

Delaney Clements, MOT, OTR/L

Denise Dover

Douglas Bloom

D. Shane Fulmer, O.T.

Elizabeth Howington, O.T.

Erin Alexander

Grace Barron

Gregory Channell, DPT, MOT

James Fiegle, OT/L

Janet Capell

Jason Barnard

Jason Hoffmeister, MSOTR/L

Jeanie Bell, OTR/L

Jennifer Echols, MS, OTR/L

Jennifer Hughes, OT

Jericka Emert, OT

Jessica Cross, OTR/L

Jill Bement, OTR

Jordan Branch

Julia Clark, OT

Julie Grissett, MSOT, OTR/L

Karen Earith, OTR

Katherine Burns, MS OTR/L

Kimberly Breeden

Kimberly Hackler, OT

Lauren Barnfield

Lindsay Burgess, OTR/L

Lisa Birnesser, OT/L

Lisa Harmon

Lucretia Channell, OTR/L

Margaret Bickley, OTR

Marsha Foster, OT

Mary Hodge, O.T.

Megan Burns, OTD, OTR/L

Megan Colletti, Occupational Therapi

Melinda Brenneise, COTA/L

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Knoxville, TN

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Knoxville

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy