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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 3pm

Bright Start LLC, Metairie, LA (2026)

04/21/2026

Please help us welcome another gem to our OT team! 🤩

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Hi there! My name is Emma. I’m an occupational therapist with experience working with children with genetic conditions, autism, developmental delay, ADHD, medically complex diagnoses, and pediatric feeding disorders (outpatient and school-based settings). My favorite part of the job is using a strengths-based and neuroaffirming approach to collaborate with families to improve emotional regulation, fine motor skills, and self-help skills. I attended LSU Health Shreveport where I earned my master’s degree in OT. I’ve had the adventure of working in the schools out in San Diego, but like most Louisianians… I made my way back home, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I'm looking forward to teaming up with you and your child to celebrate every little achievement like a big milestone!

04/20/2026

We have been lucky to have Emily as a student & now for her clinical fellowship. Emily, we are so happy you’re here!

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Hi! I’m Emily Lanie. I graduated with a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I have experience treating children with the following difficulties: Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, apraxia of speech, articulation, social communication, expressive/receptive language, cognition, genetic disorders, fluency, and alternative and augmentative communication.

I believe that early support—paired with strong collaboration between caregivers and care team members— sets children up for long-term success. I am passionate about helping children build a foundation for communication through play-centered therapy. I take an individualized approach, meeting children where they are and building on their unique strengths/motivations. Outside of work, I enjoy needlepointing and quilting. I cherish spending time with family and friends, as well as playtime with my pup.

04/15/2026

Our OT team is growing! Please help us welcome Sarah to our OT Krewe! 🤩

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Hey there! I’m Sarah, an occupational therapist with a passion for helping children learn through play and meaningful everyday activities. I graduated from LSU Health Sciences Center here in New Orleans with my Master of Occupational Therapy and have focused my clinical experience in pediatrics. I have had the opportunity to work with children of all ages with a variety of developmental differences, including autism, sensory processing challenges, and areas of motor growth.

I enjoy supporting skills such as play, attention, sensory regulation, motor development, and caregiver coaching to help families feel confident carrying strategies into daily routines. My approach is child-led, relationship-based, and centered around making therapy fun and functional.

When I am not working, I enjoy thrifting, lifting weights, and spending time with my husband and our 3 cats! I’m excited to work alongside you and your child to help them learn, play, and thrive!

04/15/2026

Come check out our free playgroup on Friday! 🤩

04/13/2026

We’re so happy to be expanding our PT team! So glad to have you, Abigail!

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Hi! My name is Abigail Hebert, and I am a pediatric physical therapist with over two years of experience working with children from infancy through young adulthood. I have previously worked in an outpatient setting with a variety of neurological, orthopedic, and genetic diagnoses - including developmental delay, torticollis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, brachial plexus injury, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am passionate about supporting children’s development through play-based interventions and providing family-centered care. I enjoy empowering parents and/or caregivers with practical strategies that can be easily incorporated into daily routines.

I was born and raised in New Orleans and earned my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I then returned home to complete my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 2023.

I am so excited to join the Bright Start team and to meet you and your little one! I am honored to support your family through this early intervention journey and to help your child reach their fullest potential!

04/09/2026

Please help us welcome one of our new SLPs, Becca! 🤩 We are so glad you’re here!

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Hi! My name is Becca, and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist! I received my bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and my master’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. For the last 3 years, I worked at a pediatric outpatient clinic in the greater New Orleans area. While there, I treated children of all ages with a range of communication and swallowing disorders including expressive/receptive language delays, speech sound disorders, voice and fluency disorders, cognitive-communication challenges, feeding/swallowing disorders, social communication, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). I enjoy building strong relationships with the children and families I work with and creating a positive and encouraging environment where communication can grow. I believe in a collaborative approach and love working together with families and other professionals to help each child reach their goals. I’m so happy to be part of the Bright Start team and to support your child as they find their voice and thrive!

03/31/2026

This is what growth looks like at Bright Start 🧡

Over the past 6 months, we’ve welcomed amazing new providers to our speech, OT, and PT teams—all with the same heart for families and little ones.

We can’t wait to introduce you! 🤩

📩info@brightstartnola.com

Thank you 📸📸📸

03/27/2026

Bright Start is so excited to expand to California—truly a full-circle moment for our founder, Ashley McInnis, MCD, CCC-SLP.

Fun fact: speech-language pathology is Ashley’s second career. She first earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication before following her heart into the world of pediatric therapy. She completed her post-baccalaureate studies in Communicative Sciences and Disorders through Loma Linda University and went on to earn her Master’s degree from LSU Health.

Ashley’s journey began right here in California in 2015, working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) in the Early Start program. It was during this time that she fell in love with early intervention and the power of supporting children and families within their everyday routines. Now, over a decade later, she is incredibly proud to return—this time as the founder of Bright Start and an official vendor with the Regional Center of Orange County.

Bright Start was originally founded in New Orleans with a mission rooted in connection: to provide timely, evidence-based, and deeply personalized care for children and their families. What started as a small, heart-led practice has grown into a trusted team of therapists who are passionate about meeting families where they are—at home, at school, and in the community.

While we are still building and growing to fully mirror our New Orleans practice, Bright Start California is already grounded in the same values: thoughtful care, strong relationships, and a commitment to showing up for families in meaningful ways.

We are so excited to be here. We can’t wait to meet you, support your family, and grow together. 🧡

📩info@brightstartnola.com

📸

12/30/2025

✨ 2025 Year in Review ✨

As we wrap up 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible team and the amazing community that continues to trust and grow with us. We truly wouldn’t be here without each and every one of you!

This year at Bright Start, we celebrated some meaningful milestones:

* Grew to 26 team members
* Built dedicated OT & PT teams, each with 4+ therapists
* Became an agency in California’s Early Intervention program — now accepting 2026 referrals!
* Expanded contracts with local schools and daycares to offer affordable screenings
* Supported 650+ families across Louisiana
* Launched our well-baby program, The Little Village
* Welcomed 8 LSU Health students, 2 high school interns, and 4 therapy techs to learn and grow with us
* Honored as Winner: Favorite Pediatric Therapy Group and Favorite Special Needs Service, and Runner-Up: Favorite Pediatric Therapist by NOLA Family Favorites
* Began our second year with Crescent City Schools

Most importantly, we continued to celebrate the love, expertise, and family-centered care we’re grateful to give to our Bright Start community every single day.

Thank you, Bright Start, for another fulfilling and rewarding year.

We are wishing all of our families a happy and heathy new year for 2026.

We can’t wait to see what the new year brings!

With love,
Ashley & The Bright Start Team

12/12/2025

Merry Christmas from Bright Start! 🧑🏻‍🎄🎄

11/25/2025

This holiday season, we’re honored to shine a spotlight on Caroline Breaux — a sweet, resilient girl who reminds us exactly why we lace up our shoes, ring our bells, and come together at the Jingle Bell Run.

How has your Caroline been doing lately on her arthritis journey? �✨Caroline has been doing amazing! 🌟 She began her current medication treatment in January 2025 and she has been pain free since! Though she still has things we need to monitor, the pain being gone is our main priority.

Are there any recent milestones, challenges, or victories that stand out to you?�✨Caroline is back in all activities with her peers and able to do anything she sets her mind to. She started back in gymnastics in June and it has become one of her favorite parts of the week. 🤸🏼‍♀️ Seeing her happy, confident, and comfortable is incredible! ✨

What part of your story do you hope helps others the most?�✨I hope families who are fighting for a diagnosis or a treatment can look at Caroline and know that peace will come again. 🤍 Although flare-ups may happen, we’re confident in her medications and today’s treatments that help bring her back to feeling like herself. 🌼

Is there anything specific you want families, friends, or the community to know about JA?�✨Juvenile Arthritis can range from very mild to very severe. And just because a joint was affected once doesn’t mean it will be again in future flare-ups. Kids with JA may be dealing with a wide range of challenges — be patient and lend a hand. 🫶🏼💙

What’s her favorite thing about the holiday season?�✨Caroline is loving everything about the holidays! 🎄🎅🏼 She helped decorate the Christmas tree and tells us it looks beautiful every day. She loves riding around to look at Christmas lights, reading books about the story of Jesus, and playing with all the people in her nativity.

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Bright Start is a proud sponsor of the Jingle Bell run & we can’t wait to see all of you on Dec. 13 at Audubon Park, with Bells on! Sign up & donate at the link in our bio! 🤩

11/10/2025

We’re honored to share that Bright Start was voted Favorite Pediatric Therapy Group and Favorite Special Needs Service in this year’s Nola Family Favorites! 💛

And a special shoutout to Ashley McInnis, MCD, CCC-SLP who was recognized as Runner-Up for Favorite Pediatric Therapist! 👏

We wouldn’t be here without YOU — our incredible families, therapists, and community who trust us with your little ones every day. Thank you for letting us be part of your child’s journey and growth!

Bright Start LLC

04/21/2026

04/20/2026

04/15/2026

04/15/2026

04/13/2026

04/09/2026

03/31/2026

03/27/2026

12/30/2025

12/12/2025

11/25/2025

11/10/2025

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Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 3pm