Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Los Angeles

15 places for pediatric occupational therapy in Los Angeles

Listed from the Westside through central LA to the Valley, Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, then the South Bay. If you’re looking for a therapist for sensory processing differences, look for sensory integration training or a sensory gym in the entries. Call first to ask about ages, wait times and payment.

1. 1

   OT Kids

   West LA (home and school visits)

   Good for Westside kids who do best at home or school

   A Westside team of sensory-integration-based OTs, founded by Corbin Gaucher Eastman, OTR/L, that sees children from birth to 12 in their homes and classrooms, working with parents and teachers. It starts with a free phone consultation, then an assessment and a treatment plan. It also offers SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) feeding therapy, and video sessions for kids 5 and up.

   • Ages 0 to 12
   • In-home and in-school OT
   • SOS feeding therapy
   • Video sessions for ages 5+
   • Free phone consultation

   ot-kids.org (opens their site)On Summerground

2. 2

   Bloom Pediatrics

   Santa Monica

   Good for Gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) kids

   A Santa Monica OT practice led by Dr. Adriane Ransom, OTR/L, SWC, whose specialties include autism, executive functioning, feeding and swallowing, coordination and motor delays, sensory processing and social skills, with a special interest in gifted and twice-exceptional children. Clinical director Dr. Sophie Cross, OTR/L, is certified in PEERS for Preschoolers, a social skills program for young children.

   • Feeding and swallowing (SWC)
   • Gifted and 2e children
   • PEERS for Preschoolers
   • DIR/Floortime and sensory integration

   bloompediatrics.com (opens their site)On Summerground

3. 3

   Therapy West Inc. & pLAy Studio

   Mar Vista and Gardena · 11460 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

   Good for Toddler groups and regional center families

   OT, physical therapy and speech therapy for children and teens with autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder, Down syndrome and other delays. Its OTs hold master’s or doctoral degrees and have training in sensory integration, neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) and feeding. It runs early intervention groups for ages 1.5 to 3 and Kid Scouts groups for ages 5 to 18, has a second clinic in Gardena, and accepts Self-Determination Program funds.

   • Early intervention groups, 1.5 to 3
   • Kid Scouts groups, ages 5 to 18
   • Second clinic in Gardena
   • Accepts Self-Determination funds

   therapywest.org (opens their site)310-337-7115On Summerground

4. 4

   TheraPlay LA

   Mid-City · 1070 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

   Good for Intensives that combine OT and speech

   A Mid-City clinic with OT, speech, feeding and orofacial myofunctional therapy under one roof, including intensive programs that combine them. OTs work on sensory regulation, motor coordination, primitive reflexes, self-care and handwriting, using the Handwriting Without Tears program. The sensory gym has a rock wall, monkey bars, a zip line, a play loft, two swing rooms and a ball pit.

   • Sensory gym with two swing rooms
   • Handwriting Without Tears
   • OT, speech and feeding
   • Intensive therapy programs

   theraplayla.com (opens their site)On Summerground

5. 5

   OT Studios

   Hollywood · 957 Cole Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

   Good for Families who want OT, PT and speech in one place

   A small sensory integration clinic offering OT, physical therapy, speech therapy and social skills groups for infants through school-age children, in the clinic, at home, at school or by video. OT here covers sensory integration, fine motor skills and handwriting. It’s also the home of The Sensokids, a picture-book series that explains the senses to children.

   • Sensory integration clinic
   • Handwriting and fine motor
   • Social skills groups
   • Clinic, home, school or video

   otstudiosla.com (opens their site)323-285-2283On Summerground

6. 6

   LA Speech Therapy Solutions

   Silver Lake, Windsor Hills, North Hollywood and San Gabriel · 2836 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

   Good for Families in Silver Lake, South LA or the SGV

   Besides speech therapy, this practice offers pediatric OT at four clinics: Silver Lake (2836 Sunset Blvd), South LA in Windsor Hills (3819 W Slauson Ave), North Hollywood (6350 Laurel Canyon Blvd) and San Gabriel (604 S Del Mar Ave). OT sessions work on fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, coordination, focus, feeding, dressing and other self-care.

   • Four clinics across LA
   • Handwriting and fine motor
   • Sensory processing
   • Feeding and self-care

   laspeechtherapysolutions.com (opens their site)323-522-6071On Summerground

7. 7

   Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC)

   University Park, near USC · 403 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007

   Good for Injuries, surgery and limb differences

   A children’s orthopaedic hospital whose rehabilitation center has physical and occupational therapists for babies, children and teens. The focus is orthopaedic: recovery from fractures, sprains and surgery, and conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, limb loss, radial aplasia and hypoplastic thumb. Its site says most insurance is accepted.

   • Hospital-based OT and PT
   • Babies, children and teens
   • Rehab after injury or surgery
   • Most insurance accepted

   luskinoic.org (opens their site)213-742-1450On Summerground

8. 8

   Therapy In Action

   18522 Oxnard St, Tarzana, CA 91356

   Good for Kids who need both OT and PT in the Valley

   A pediatric OT and PT clinic in an 8,000-square-foot space in Tarzana, with school-district contracts since 1986. Its therapists hold specialty certifications in sensory integration and feeding and see children and teens with sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD, handwriting and visual-motor problems, coordination and posture difficulties, oral-motor and feeding problems, genetic disorders and developmental delays.

   • OT and PT
   • Sensory integration certifications
   • Feeding certifications
   • School-district contracts since 1986

   therapyinaction.com (opens their site)818-708-2292On Summerground

9. 9

   Itty Bitty Kinetics Therapy Group

   18015 Ventura Blvd, Suite 110, Encino, CA 91316

   Good for Feeding problems, including ARFID

   A concierge-style pediatric OT practice that sees children at home, in the community, by video or at its Encino clinic, with detailed parent coaching between sessions. Its specialties include pediatric feeding disorder and ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder), sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, self-care, school readiness, and Early Start for children from birth to 3.

   • Home, clinic, community or video
   • Feeding disorders and ARFID
   • Early Start, birth to 3
   • Parent coaching

   ittybittykinetics.com (opens their site)On Summerground

10. 10

    The Sensory Brain Occupational Therapy

    2810 E Del Mar Blvd, Suite 2, Pasadena, CA

    Good for Sensory differences, tics and social skills

    Two Pasadena clinics (Del Mar Blvd and N Oak Knoll Ave) plus telehealth in California, for kids, teens and adults with sensory processing differences, tics and social-emotional challenges. Every therapist is a licensed OT, and the practice says it doesn’t use assistants. Programs include CBIT for tics, UCLA PEERS social skills groups, the Safe and Sound Protocol, and 75-minute workshops.

    • Licensed OTs only, no assistants
    • CBIT for tics
    • UCLA PEERS social skills groups
    • Two clinics plus CA telehealth

    thesensorybrain.com (opens their site)626-217-0818On Summerground

11. 11

    The Center for Connection

    3030 E Colorado Blvd, Suite 214, Pasadena, CA 91107

    Good for Families who want OT alongside therapy and testing

    A Pasadena center with a full-sensory OT gym, where OTs work on sensory integration, motor planning, self-regulation and coordination with a relationship-first approach they describe as an alternative to ABA. Speech therapy, psychotherapy, educational therapy and assessments are under the same roof. It’s self-pay: sessions run $175 to $350 or more depending on service and clinician, with a sliding scale and superbills.

    • Full-sensory OT gym
    • Self-pay, $175 to $350+ a session
    • Sliding scale available
    • Superbills for insurance claims

    thecenterforconnection.org (opens their site)626-385-6121On Summerground

12. 12

    Uplift Therapy Center

    1975 Verdugo Blvd, Suite D, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

    Good for Autism and sensory needs, with speech and PT

    Founded by Dr. Talin Yacoubian, OTD, OTR/L, a Certified Autism Specialist, this clinic offers OT, speech, physical and feeding therapy for children with autism, sensory processing challenges and developmental delays, from infants to teens. Sessions are play-based and child-led in a sensory gym, and each child is matched with a therapist. It serves families from Pasadena, Glendale and nearby.

    • OT, speech, PT and feeding
    • Sensory gym
    • Infants through teens
    • Founder holds a doctorate in OT

    uplifttherapycenter.com (opens their site)818-864-6602On Summerground

13. 13

    Recess Pediatric Therapy

    Arcadia (San Gabriel Valley) · 301 E Foothill Blvd #100, Arcadia, CA 91006

    Good for Medi-Cal plans and SGV regional center clients

    An Arcadia practice with OT, speech, physical and feeding therapy for infants, toddlers and children, at the clinic, at home, at school or by video across the San Gabriel Valley. OT covers fine motor skills and handwriting, self-care, sensory processing, visual-motor skills and regulation. It takes major HMO and PPO plans and what it calls commercial Medi-Cal, and contracts with the San Gabriel/Pomona, Lanterman and Eastern Los Angeles regional centers.

    • HMO, PPO and commercial Medi-Cal
    • Contracts with three regional centers
    • Clinic, home, school or video
    • OT, speech, PT and feeding

    recesspediatrictherapy.com (opens their site)626-275-6302On Summerground

14. 14

    Ground to Grow Occupational Therapy

    24050 Madison St #110, Torrance, CA 90505

    Good for DIR Floortime and feeding in the South Bay

    A South Bay practice run by Jackie Bresnahan, MS, OTR/L, SWC, an ICDL-verified DIR Floortime practitioner who is California board certified in feeding and swallowing. One-to-one OT covers handwriting, fine motor skills, self-care, sensory processing and regulation; feeding therapy starts at age 2. It’s out of network with all insurance (superbills on request) and accepts regional center Self-Determination Program funds.

    • DIR Floortime
    • Feeding therapy from age 2
    • Out of network; superbills
    • Accepts Self-Determination funds
    • Free 15-minute consultation

    groundtogrowot.com (opens their site)310-400-6064On Summerground

15. 15

    Bright Steps Pediatrics

    Torrance and Los Alamitos · 3858 Carson St, Ste 100, Torrance, CA 90503

    Good for Families who want to use in-network insurance

    A speech and feeding practice that also offers OT for sensory processing, fine motor development and self-care, with clinics in Torrance and in Los Alamitos, just over the Orange County line from Long Beach. Early intervention covers birth to 3, and picky-eating therapy starts at 6 months. It checks your benefits, is in network with plans including Anthem and UnitedHealthcare, and can ask your plan for a single-case agreement.

    • OT, speech and feeding
    • In network with several plans
    • Early intervention, birth to 3
    • Near Long Beach (Los Alamitos)

    brightstepspediatrics.com (opens their site)424-225-1481On Summerground

What pediatric OT helps with

Occupational therapy for children is about the jobs of childhood: playing, learning, getting dressed, eating, sleeping and getting along with others. A pediatric OT works out what’s getting in the way, whether that’s how your child’s body handles sensory input, hand strength and coordination, motor planning or regulation, then builds those skills through play.

These are the kinds of signs that the clinics above say bring families in:

• Meltdowns, or seeking out or avoiding sounds, touch, movement or textures
• Trouble with pencil grip, letter formation, scissors or utensils
• Clumsiness, poor balance, or trouble learning new movements
• Difficulty with buttons, zippers, shoe tying, toothbrushing or toileting
• Very picky eating or stressful mealtimes
• Trouble with attention, transitions or organization at school

OT overlaps with other therapies. If walking, balance or muscle tone is the main worry, see our guide to pediatric physical therapy. If eating is, see feeding therapy for kids, and for talking and understanding, pediatric speech therapy.

How to choose a pediatric occupational therapist

Start with the credentials. OTR/L after a name shows two things: the national OTR credential (Occupational Therapist Registered), which means they finished OT school and passed the NBCOT exam, and a state license. A COTA is a certified occupational therapy assistant. Look up any California OT or OT assistant on the state’s DCA License Search.

Some OTs add SWC, meaning the California Board of Occupational Therapy has approved them for advanced practice in swallowing assessment, evaluation and intervention (CBOT). That matters if feeding is part of the picture.

Then ask:

• If sensory issues are the main concern, what sensory integration training do you have, and is there a sensory gym?
• Will the same therapist evaluate and treat my child, or will an assistant run some sessions?
• Where do sessions happen: a clinic, our home, school, or video?
• How long and how often are sessions, and how will we measure progress?
• What will we practice at home, and can I watch or join in?
• Do you take my insurance, Medi-Cal plan or regional center funding, and how long is the wait?

What the first OT evaluation is like

Several practices on this list, including OT Kids, Ground to Grow and Bright Steps, start with a free phone call to hear your concerns and decide whether an evaluation makes sense. The evaluation itself usually has three parts:

1. A conversation with you about your child’s birth history, milestones, sleep, eating, school and what worries you. Bring any reports from doctors, teachers, the regional center or an IEP.
2. Play with a purpose. The OT watches how your child moves, grips, reacts to textures and sounds, and plans new movements, often using standardized tests built into games. Dressing or a writing sample may be part of it, depending on age.
3. Findings and a plan: goals, how often to come, and what to work on at home. Ask for a written report you can share with your doctor, school or insurance plan.

Expect your child to be busy and, with luck, having fun, and expect a lot of questions for you. If therapy is recommended, ask the therapist to explain each goal in plain words and when you’ll check progress together.

If you’re also wondering about autism or ADHD, our guides to autism testing for kids and ADHD testing explain where to get an evaluation in LA.

Who pays for OT in LA: insurance, Medi-Cal, regional center, school

There are several ways to pay for OT in Los Angeles, and they depend on your child’s age and needs:

• Health insurance. Plans differ on visit limits, referrals and prior authorization, so call before you book. Some practices check benefits for you (Bright Steps does); others, like Ground to Grow, are out of network and give superbills you file yourself.
• Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal must cover medically necessary services for children under 21, under the federal EPSDT rule. Ask your child’s doctor to refer through your Medi-Cal plan.
• Early Start, birth to 3. Babies and toddlers with a delay of at least 25% in one area, an established risk condition, or high risk qualify through the regional center. Evaluation and service coordination are free; insurance is billed first for therapy, and the regional center or school district provides what insurance doesn’t (DDS). Anyone can refer: 800-515-2229.
• Your school district, 3 and up. OT is a related service under special education law, provided free through an IEP when your child needs it to benefit from school (34 CFR 300.34). You can ask the school to evaluate your child.
• California Children’s Services. Children with qualifying physical disabilities can get OT and PT free, at any income, at CCS Medical Therapy Units on public school campuses (LA County CCS). Call 1-800-288-4584.
• Regional center, 3 and up. Children with autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability or another qualifying condition that began before 18 may qualify (DDS). Ask your service coordinator about OT and the Self-Determination Program; Therapy West and Ground to Grow accept its funds.

Questions parents ask