OTA The Koomar Center

What OTA The Koomar Center does

OTA The Koomar Center is a private, multi-disciplinary therapy clinic headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, founded in 1983 by Dr. Jane Koomar (1954-2013) as a pioneer practice in sensory integration therapy. The organization delivers occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults with sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, and trauma/attachment concerns. Core clinical methodology is grounded in Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI), the theoretical framework originated by Dr. A. Jean Ayres under whom Dr. Koomar trained directly. Services are delivered in-clinic at the Newton facility, via telehealth, through school partnerships in the Boston metro, and via short-term intensives for regional and international clients.

The clinical product portfolio spans core services (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Services) and a set of proprietary specialty programs including FOCUS for Mealtime Success, the SAFE PLACE Model (a 12-week sensory-and-attachment program co-developed with Dr. Daniel Hughes), the Safe and Sound Protocol, the iLs Home Rental Program, and the Hanen More Than Words parent training program. The clinic operates an affiliated research and continuing education arm, the SPIRAL Foundation, which has conducted over 30 research studies and offers 150+ prerecorded professional development courses. OTA maintains in-network status with major regional insurers (Harvard Pilgrim, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, AllWays Health Partners, UHC-HP) and offers a private-pay Comprehensive Treatment Plan (CTP) structure with prepaid 3-month initial and 6-month continuing blocks. The practice is a member of the Cicero Therapies clinic network and is expanding to a second Massachusetts location in Woburn in summer 2026.

Name

OTA The Koomar Center

Legal name

OTA The Koomar Center

Website

https://otawatertown.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OTA The Koomar Center is a private Newton, Massachusetts therapy clinic providing occupational, speech-language, and mental health services grounded in Ayres Sensory Integration to children, adolescents, and adults with sensory processing and developmental challenges across the Boston metro, with a second location opening in Woburn in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Educational Support Services (611710), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric/School-Based Occupational Therapy (OT) (EDAKAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tele-Occupational Therapy (Telehealth OT) (EDAKAFAL), OT Evaluations, Assessments & IEP/504 Planning Support (EDAKAFAM), Outpatient Occupational Therapy (OT) Clinics (HLADAJAE), Specialized Intervention & Skill-Building Programs (Speech/OT Support Materials, Social Skills) (EDACAJAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) Access & AAC Access Support (OT-Led) (EDAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Occupational therapy services
• Speech language therapy
• Sensory integration therapy
• Pediatric therapy clinic
• Mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Occupational Therapy Services: Individual and group therapy sessions for children, adolescents, and adults with sensory processing challenges. Billed through insurance for participating providers (Harvard Pilgrim, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, UHC-HP) or via private pay Comprehensive Treatment Plans for out-of-network clients.
2. Speech and Language Therapy: Speech and language pathology services including evaluation and intervention. Participating provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim, AllWays Health Partners, and some United Healthcare plans. Private pay options available for non-participating insurance.
3. Comprehensive Treatment Plan (CTP): Private pay option for clients without insurance coverage or after insurance benefits expire. Initial CTP is a prepaid three-month block of services; continuing CTPs are six-month periods. Services provided weekly or twice-weekly.
4. Listening Therapy Programs: Therapeutic Listening, The Listening Program, and Integrated Listening Systems offered at various price points following assessment. Also available as intensive programs.
5. Home Consultation Services: Sensory space consultation services including home visits, equipment recommendations, and design planning. Billed at hourly rates plus travel time.
6. Continuing Education and Training: SPIRAL Foundation offers continuing education courses, webinars, LiveTalks, and consultations for occupational therapists and other professionals. Revenue from course fees and membership subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OTA The Koomar Center is a private therapy clinic delivering individualized occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and mental health services grounded in Ayres Sensory Integration principles. It serves children, adolescents, and adults with sensory processing, communication, feeding, and trauma-related challenges through in-clinic, telehealth, school-based, and intensive program delivery. The center also operates the SPIRAL Foundation, a research and continuing education arm supporting evidence-based practice in sensory integration.

Product overview

OTA The Koomar Center is a world-renowned therapy clinic offering a comprehensive suite of pediatric and adult services centered on sensory integration principles. The core offerings include Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Mental Health Services, which form the foundation of their care model. These are complemented by specialized programs including FOCUS for Mealtime Success (feeding therapy), the SAFE PLACE Program (trauma and attachment treatment), the Safe and Sound Protocol and iLs (listening therapies), and the Hanen Program (parent training). The center provides flexible service delivery through in-clinic sessions, Telehealth, and Intensive programs for concentrated treatment. Additional support services include School Partnerships, the Caregiver Partnership Program, Ready Sense Learn (summer readiness program), and home consultation services. All offerings are rooted in over 40 years of sensory integration expertise and supported by the SPIRAL Foundation research arm.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Speech Therapy Professional speech and language pathology services for children, adolescents, and adults, delivered in a sensory-rich environment with collaboration between speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists.
• Occupational Therapy High-quality occupational therapy services using sensory integration techniques to support individuals with sensory processing disorder and related challenges, tailored for children, adolescents, and adults.
• Mental Health Services Compassionate mental health support using play-based, expressive, and strength-based strategies for children and families impacted by trauma, attachment difficulties, autism, and anxiety.
• Intensives Individualized intensive therapy programs including Sensory Integration Intensives, Visual-Vestibular Intensives, and Clinic-Based Listening Program Intensives, designed to maximize therapeutic gains through concentrated treatment periods.
• FOCUS for Mealtime Success A systematic, whole-body approach to helping individuals with sensory and motor challenges overcome eating difficulties, addressing root causes rather than just oral symptoms.
• SAFE PLACE Program Collaborative interdisciplinary 12-week treatment program combining sensory integration, attachment-focused therapy, and trauma-informed care for children with sensory processing disorder and complex trauma-attachment concerns.
• Safe and Sound Protocol Evidence-based listening therapy pioneered by Dr. Stephen Porges that helps shift the nervous system to a more regulated state, reducing stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement.
• iLs Home Rental Program Multi-sensory program rental for improving brain function, available for home use to complement clinic-based therapy, addressing auditory, visual, vestibular, motor, cognitive, and emotional systems.
• More Than Words - The Hanen Program Eight-session training program for parents of children with autism or social-communication difficulties, led by Hanen-certified speech-language pathologists to improve children's two-way communication and social skills.
• Telehealth Services Virtual therapy services providing occupational therapy and speech-language therapy for clients of all ages through direct intervention, observation, coaching, consultation, and education delivered remotely.
• Caregiver Partnership Program Collaborative consultation program that equips caregivers with strategies and understanding to support their child's growth and address specific concerns such as regulation, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
• Additional Services and Support

Quantifiable outcome

• Research suggests sensory integration intervention can greatly minimize interference of sensory processing dysfunction with daily life tasks
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, historical/foundational and minor.

• Cicero TherapiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOTA The Koomar Center is part of the Cicero Therapies network of clinics. As a practice within this network, OTA clinicians and families have direct access to Cicero's Clinical Advisory Board, which includes esteemed professionals making significant contributions to their fields.
• Dr. A. Jean Ayreshistorical/foundationalOthersDr. Koomar studied under Dr. A. Jean Ayres, the originator of sensory integration theory, assessment, and intervention. Dr. Ayres' foundational work established the theoretical and clinical framework that OTA's services are built upon.
• Boston UniversityStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner with SPIRAL Foundation examining aspects of sensory processing in children and adults.
• Thomas Jefferson UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner with SPIRAL Foundation on sensory processing research initiatives.
• SPD FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research and education partner focused on sensory processing disorder awareness, research, and advocacy.
• Pediatric Therapy NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner with SPIRAL Foundation for sensory processing research studies.
• Boston Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. April Levin and team at Boston Children's Hospital Department of Neurology are conducting the Sensory Processing and Adaptation (SPA) Project, recruiting study participants through OTA and SPIRAL Foundation.
• The Spiral FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPIRAL Foundation (note: alternate spelling of SPIRAL) is the non-profit research and education arm of OTA, founded by Dr. Koomar. It offers continuing education, webinars, online courses, and conducts research. Sarah Sawyer serves as president of the SPIRAL Foundation board.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Pediatric Therapy Network: Pediatric Therapy Network is a Southern California-based non-profit providing OT, PT, and speech therapy plus research and education. It is comparable as a research-active pediatric therapy provider and is a stated research partner of SPIRAL Foundation.

Broad incumbents

• May Institute: May Institute is a non-profit providing ABA, OT, speech, and mental health services for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities across multiple states. It is comparable as a multi-state pediatric therapy and behavioral services platform with overlapping OT/speech service lines.
• Cicero Therapies: Cicero Therapies is the network of clinics to which OTA belongs, providing access to a Clinical Advisory Board. It is directly comparable as a multi-clinic pediatric therapy platform operating in overlapping geographies and service lines.
• Easter Seals Massachusetts: Easter Seals Massachusetts provides pediatric OT, PT, speech, and behavioral health services across the state. It is comparable as a regional therapy provider operating in OTA's geography with similar payer mix and populations served.
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Marcus Autism Center): Marcus Autism Center, part of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, provides OT, speech, ABA, and mental health services for children with autism and sensory needs. It is comparable as a large pediatric therapy provider serving developmental and sensory caseloads.
• Boston Children's Hospital Department of Neurology: Boston Children's Hospital is a leading pediatric academic medical center conducting the SPA sensory processing research with OTA. It is comparable as a clinical and research authority on pediatric sensory and neurological conditions in OTA's home market.
• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Kennedy Krieger Institute is a Johns Hopkins-affiliated institution providing pediatric OT, PT, speech, and mental health services for children with developmental disabilities and sensory challenges. It is comparable as a research-driven, multidisciplinary pediatric therapy provider with a national referral base.

Direct peers

• Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation (SPD Foundation): SPD Foundation is a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to advancing awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of sensory processing disorder. It is directly comparable to OTA's SPIRAL Foundation arm and operates in the same sensory integration research and education niche.
• STAR Center (Sensory Therapies And Research): STAR Center is a Denver-based clinic specializing in intensive sensory integration therapy for children and adults. It is a direct peer in offering Ayres Sensory Integration–based intensive OT programs with a research and training mission similar to OTA.

Regional players

• Center for Discovery: Center for Discovery is a New York–based pediatric specialty provider offering OT, speech, ABA, and mental health services with intensive programs for children with complex developmental needs. It is comparable as a Northeast pediatric specialty therapy provider offering intensive and outpatient programs similar to OTA's intensives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OTAKoomarCenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqek0esfgFrHNck3xp766Kg
• Facebookfacebook.com/OTAKoomarCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ota-the-koomar-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about OTA The Koomar Center