Why does everywhere have such long waiting lists?

[Anonymous]

I called two OTs in the fall asking for an evaluation for my preschool aged DD. They were recommended by friends and teachers. They both put me on their waiting lists (one was a 6 week wait and the other was about the same). I have called both places twice in the last 2 months and my DD is still on the list. Are there not enough OTs out there? How long have the waits been for others just to have their child evaluated? I don't mind waiting but now we are going on nearly 4 months.

[Anonymous]

Try Leaps and Bounds in DC.

[Anonymous]

leaps and bounds is ok. i was not very impressed, but they certainly do a satisfactory job.

[Anonymous]

I can't comment for OTs - but I have experience being on the wait list for PTs.
1st off - you need to squeak a little bit (but not too much)

My understanding of the reason for the long waits is that with children, unlike adults, it is difficult to predict how long they will be seen. For many adults you see them a hand ful of times and move on. My son has been in PT for 10 months. When he was originally referred, I had expected I would be going for 3 weeks 2 times a week.

In addition, many people do not want appts during afternoon nap time. This cuts down significantly in the productive hours and scheduling availability for therapists. Some offices do not even schedule therapists during this window (or they work 1/2 days).

[Anonymous]

The other reason is that it depends if the clinics you are trying to call accept insurance. Very few OT private practices are listed on insurance plans, so if parents need to go to a preferred provider, they often have limited options (typically hospitals) that have LONG backlogs filled with other families in the same boat.