Occupational Therapy in Dallas, TX

Last updated: April 17, 2026

78 NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapy providers serve Dallas, TX. 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.

78 providers in Dallas — 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 Dallas, TX

Pediatric occupational therapy in Dallas helps children build the everyday skills of childhood: fine-motor control for writing and dressing, sensory processing, self-care, and self-regulation. Families often arrive here when handwriting stays messy or tiring, when a child is overwhelmed by noise or textures, or when buttons, zippers, and utensils are a daily struggle. FindKidTherapy lists NPI-registered pediatric occupational therapists across Dallas County, from solo practices in Lake Highlands and Oak Cliff to clinics in Richardson, Garland, Irving, and Mesquite and the major hospital systems.

If your child is under three, the fastest no-cost path is often Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), the state's birth-to-three program under Texas Health and Human Services. ECI serves Dallas County families on a sliding scale, so cost is based on your circumstances rather than a flat fee, and you can request a referral yourself. School-based OT through Dallas ISD and surrounding districts supports educational goals for children three and older, and many families combine school-based and private, insurance-based OT.

A typical path is a short evaluation followed by weekly play-based sessions. To a child, an obstacle course, a textured sensory bin, or a target game feels like play; underneath, the therapist is building core strength, sensory tolerance, and the small hand muscles used for writing. The therapist sends home simple activities so progress carries into daily routines, and goals are built around your family's real life: the school day, mealtimes, and the morning dressing routine.

Occupational therapists in Texas are licensed by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners and nationally certified through NBCOT, which is why you will see the credential OTR/L after their name. That credential signals the clinician has met education, exam, and licensing standards to practice in the state. Below are the occupational therapy providers currently active in Dallas.

What to expect

The first visit is an evaluation, not treatment. Expect a low-pressure session: a conversation about your concerns and your child's history, then standardized tools and hands-on play to assess fine-motor, sensory, and self-care skills. You know your child best, so your input matters as much as the testing. The therapist then explains what they saw, whether OT is recommended, and what goals would fit. Bring any pediatrician notes or prior IEP paperwork.

Insurance

Texas Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the EPSDT benefit (Texas Health Steps). Dallas-area Medicaid STAR managed-care plans commonly include Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare, Superior HealthPlan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Commercial plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Aetna, Cigna) typically reimburse with a physician referral or prescription and may require prior authorization after the evaluation. Confirm your specific plan before the first visit.

Start sooner if under 3

Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is the statewide birth-to-three system under Texas Health and Human Services; you can reach it through 2-1-1 Texas (dial 2-1-1) or your local Dallas County ECI program. Services use a sliding scale based on family circumstances, are often delivered in your home or childcare setting, and you can self-refer without waiting for a doctor to initiate it.

OT vs PT for kids

Occupational therapy focuses on fine-motor and functional daily skills, sensory processing, and self-care; physical therapy focuses on gross-motor skills like walking, balance, strength, and coordination. Some Dallas children see both, and the two often work together. If you are unsure which your child needs, an OT or PT evaluation can point you in the right direction.

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Dallas, TX

At what age can my child start occupational therapy in Dallas?

Children can benefit at almost any age, including infants and toddlers. For little ones under three, Texas ECI is often the starting point. For older children, clinic-based or school-based OT may be the better path. An evaluation helps determine the right fit, and there is no age that is too early to ask questions.

Do I need a doctor's referral for pediatric OT in Dallas?

It depends on your insurance plan and the clinic. Some require a physician referral or prior authorization, and others accept self-referrals for an evaluation. For Texas ECI, families can request a referral directly. Calling the clinic or your plan ahead is the fastest way to confirm what you need.

Does Texas Medicaid cover pediatric occupational therapy in Dallas?

Yes. Texas Medicaid covers medically necessary occupational therapy for children under 21 through the EPSDT benefit, delivered under Texas Health Steps. Common Dallas-area STAR managed-care plans include Amerigroup, Molina Healthcare, Superior HealthPlan, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Prior authorization is usually required after the initial evaluation.

Is occupational therapy the same as physical therapy?

No. Physical therapy generally focuses on large-muscle movement, walking, balance, and gross-motor skills, often delivered by a licensed PT. Occupational therapy focuses on fine-motor, sensory, self-care, and daily-living skills. Some children benefit from both, and the two often work together.

How long will my child need occupational therapy?

There is no set timeline, and no honest provider can promise a specific outcome by a specific date. Progress depends on your child's goals, needs, and consistency. Your therapist sets individualized goals and reviews them with you regularly, so therapy is about progress and participation rather than a promised result.

Can my child get OT at school and at a private clinic?

Yes. Many Dallas families use both. School-based OT through Dallas ISD or your local district supports your child's access to learning, while private, insurance-based OT addresses broader developmental and daily-living goals. The two are evaluated separately and can work in parallel toward the same skills.

Other Therapy Types in Dallas

Speech Therapy Physical Therapy ABA Therapy Feeding Therapy Sensory Integration

50 OT Therapists in Dallas

Alanna Aguirre, OTR

Dallas, TX

Occupational Therapy in Dallas, TX

Occupational Therapy in Dallas, TX

Frequently asked questions — Occupational Therapy in Dallas, TX

Other Therapy Types in Dallas

50 OT Therapists in Dallas

Alanna Aguirre, OTR

Allie Adams

Andrea Bonzell

Andrea Carranza, OTR/L

Anish Abraham

Ashlee Baker, OTD, OTR

Asya Baig, OTD, OTR

Avery Blanton, OTR

Beatty Arnold, MOT, OTR

Brandon Blanchard, OTR

Brittany Belk, OTR/L

Carrol Boggess, OTR

Charanda Benoit, M.S. LOTR

Charles Allison, COTA

Christina Bayer, MS O.T.

Christopher Burcalow, OTR

Claire Bradley, MOT, OTR/L

Cole Brewer

Collins Bollozos

Daksha Anand

Deanna Carlock, OTR

Debra Brim, MOT, OTR

Emilia Bourland, MOT, OTR

Emma Addison

Gabriella Borboa, OTD, OTR/L

Gabrielle Allen, OTR

Gabrielle Brewer, OTR

Genesis Arreola-Castaneda, MOT, OTR/L

Heather Balusek, OTR

Holly Bock, OTD, OTR/L

Jaimi Barrett, OTR/L, CSRS

James Brashear, OTR

Jamie Bridge

Jeffrey Arnold, OTR

Jenna Campbell, OT

Jessica Burns

Jolyn Ardis, O.T.

Joyce Carter

Kaley Brouwer, OTR, CLT

Katherine Bagwell, OTR

Kelli Canales, OTR

Kelsey Burrous, OTR

Kerry Bloomer, OTR

Kirsten Ackerman, OT

Kristopher Byrd, OTR

Krupa Bhakta

Leah Bell, OT

Maria Beshears, OTR/L

Mary Appleby

Melinda Battenfield, OTR/L, CHT

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Cities

About Occupational Therapy for Children in Dallas, TX

What is Occupational Therapy?

Finding the Right OT Therapist in Dallas

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy