Bright Start

The Faces of Pediatric Therapy

Ashley McInnis, MCD, CCC-SLP

Bright Start is a private pediatric simple mission: to make quality, family-centered and evidence-based care accessible when it matters most. Founded in Louisiana, we pride ourselves on maintaining no waitlist, so children get the support they need as soon as concerns arise. Our therapists travel to homes, daycares, and community settings to ensure services are convenient, comfortable, and truly meet families where they are. We serve children from birth to age 3 through Louisiana EarlySteps, and offer
private therapy up to age 18. Our highly qualified, hand-selected team includes specialists trained in infant feeding and the medically fragile population, allowing us to provide advanced care — even for the youngest and most complex cases.

Bright Start is deeply rooted in the Greater New Orleans community. We operate as a teaching practice in partnership with LSU Health and other university programs, giving developing clinicians a nurturing
place to learn and grow. We proudly support local fundraising events such as the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run, Touch-A-Truck, and school and nonprofit galas across the region. Our services are offered on a sliding scale to ensure families have access to care, and we provide free counseling for parents seeking guidance on EarlySteps eligibility, developmental milestones, and next steps. By partnering with many local daycares and schools, we conduct affordable developmental screenings to ensure early detection and intervention. We also lead a well-baby program for babies and parents, The Little Village, which empowers families with hands-on guidance, play-based classes, and expert support.

What truly sets our company apart is the way we care. We are proud to offer a multidisciplinary approach, where our speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists collaborate closely to support the whole child — and the entire family unit. We take time to build strong
relationships, listen to caregiver concerns, and tailor every moment of therapy to what each family values most.

From screenings and evaluations to ongoing therapy services, Bright Start is committed to helping children grow, communicate, move, eat, and thrive — all while giving caregivers the confidence and partnership they deserve. When you choose Bright Start, you gain a dedicated team who feels like part of your family—every step of the way on their journey of development.

Learn more at brightstartnola.com.