Autism resources in
Alameda County.

If you're worried about your baby or toddler's development, Early Start is California's free early intervention program for children from birth to age 3. Evaluation, assessment, and service coordination cost nothing, and you don't need a diagnosis to reach out.

California's 21 regional centers provide free assessments and determine eligibility for lifelong services for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Call the info line or use the online county lookup to find the center that serves your family.

Not sure whether to be concerned? The CDC offers free, easy-to-use developmental milestone checklists and a Milestone Tracker app (in many languages) to help you monitor your child from 2 months to 5 years and know when to act. Acting early can make a real difference.

The MIND Institute's clinic offers interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluations for autism, developmental delay, and related conditions, including a BRIDGE Clinic for toddlers 15 to 42 months showing early signs. A referral from your child's doctor is needed, and the team can help with scheduling.

This UCSF center provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and treatment for children and families across the Bay Area. It's a trusted university-based option when you want a thorough autism assessment.

If you're not sure where to start, this free and confidential Alameda County helpline is a gentle first step. Multilingual care coordinators listen to your concerns, offer a simple developmental screening, and connect you to evaluations and early intervention.

This is your county's regional center, and the main front door for free early intervention services if you're worried about your baby or toddler (birth to age 3). Their Early Start team can arrange a developmental evaluation and connect you to autism supports right here in Alameda County.

A specialized hospital-based center with particular expertise in diagnosing autism in children under age 3, including an East Bay early intervention office in Oakland. They offer comprehensive evaluations and ongoing care from early childhood into adulthood.

A developmental-behavioral pediatrics clinic for children age 12 and under with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays. Their team of specialists can confirm a diagnosis and help you build a personalized plan for your child.

Every state has a federally funded Parent Training & Information Center offering free help with IEPs, special-education rights, and early intervention. This hub's directory locates the center that serves your state.

The state's official directory of Family Empowerment Centers, Parent Training & Information Centers, and community parent resource centers that serve families of children with disabilities across California. Use it to find the free parent-support center that covers your county.

A warm, practical checklist for parents covering what to do before, during, and after an IEP meeting, available in 11 languages. It helps you organize records, ask the right questions, and know your options if a dispute comes up.

California's federally designated disability protection and advocacy agency, with free plain-language guides on IEPs, your rights, and what to do when you disagree with a school district. Their Special Education Rights & Responsibilities manual and advocacy tips walk you through every IEP meeting step by step.

A Berkeley-based civil rights organization and federally funded Parent Training & Information Center whose education advocates help California families get the right school services for their child, free of charge. They'll talk through your situation, help you review an IEP, and prepare you for meetings.

A parent-led Alameda County nonprofit that offers free one-on-one guidance, IEP and autism-focused trainings in multiple languages, and peer support for families of children with disabilities and delays. You can meet with a navigator in their San Leandro office or by phone.

You matter too. Psychology Today's therapist finder filters for 'caregiver stress' and 'autism family,' and Open Path Collective offers reduced-cost therapy sessions nationwide. You cannot support your child well without also supporting yourself.

The state's official one-stop hub for autism, with guidance on screening, diagnosis, and treatment plus links to services across California. Their statewide Autism Helpline can help you figure out your next step.

A long-established nonprofit offering ABA therapy, behavioral health, social skills groups, and autism services for children and families across Southern California. Their team can walk you through getting started and what your child qualifies for.

A statewide network of 47 parent-run family resource centers that help you navigate Early Start, find therapies, and connect with other parents who have been there. Staff are often parents of children with disabilities themselves, so you're talking to people who understand.

A long-running local nonprofit hub that serves Alameda County families with autism information, referrals, and resource lists to help you find therapy and support services. They connect the community rather than provide direct clinical care.

A public agency directory where Alameda County parents can search a maintained list of local ABA, speech, and other autism therapy providers. Their family help line can point you to the right services for your child.

ABLE accounts let people with disabilities (onset before age 26) save money tax-free without losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. This center compares every state's ABLE program so you can pick the best one for your family.

CalABLE lets your child with a disability save and invest money in a tax-advantaged account without losing SSI, Medi-Cal, or other means-tested benefits. It's run by the California State Treasurer, and funds can be used for disability-related expenses like housing, education, and health.

DB101 is a free, plain-language guide that helps you understand how benefits like SSI, SSDI, and Medi-Cal work together, with calculators to plan ahead. It's run by the World Institute on Disability and is a gentle place to start making sense of the benefits maze.

Disability Rights California is the state's federally designated legal advocacy agency, offering free advice and representation on disability rights in areas like special education, regional center services, IHSS, and healthcare. If you feel your child isn't getting services they're entitled to, this is a good place to call.

IHSS can pay a caregiver, often a parent or family member, to help your child with disability-related needs at home, so they can stay safely with the people who love them. It's a Medi-Cal program administered by the California Department of Social Services through your county.

IHSS pays for personal care and supervision so a person with a disability can stay safely at home instead of in a facility, and a parent or relative can often be the paid caregiver. The county can check whether your child qualifies and walk you through applying.

OCRA gives free legal help to Regional Center clients and families who are denied services, benefits, or supports, and can represent you in meetings and hearings. It's a good first call if a service or benefit has been reduced or turned down.

This program gives Alameda County families of children with developmental disabilities a much-needed break through trained respite providers, most of whom care for your child right in your own home. Families connected to Regional Center of the East Bay are eligible.

The nation's oldest grassroots autism organization. Their National Helpline connects families to information and referrals, and their affiliate finder points you to a local chapter in your area for in-person support and events.

The largest national community-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters offer advocacy, family support, and lifelong services. Use the chapter finder to locate the office nearest you.

Dial 2-1-1 (or visit 211.org) to reach a free, confidential referral line for local health and human services in almost every US community — including disability services, respite, food, housing, and financial assistance.

Free year-round sports, recreation, and community for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including autism, across Northern and Central California. Families can enroll an athlete, volunteer, or coach, with a Young Athletes program for younger children.

A leading university autism center offering free family support including monthly virtual parent support groups, a peer Family Navigator program, sibling groups, and Spanish-language Padres Para Padres meetings. Many programs are open to families statewide via Zoom.

Help Me Grow connects Alameda County families to developmental screenings, early intervention, and local support when you have questions or worries about your child's development. A friendly navigator can walk you through next steps at no cost, in English or Spanish.

RCEB is the state-funded nonprofit that coordinates lifelong services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including case management, respite funding, and social-recreation supports. If your child has or may have autism or another developmental disability, this is often the first door to open.

California's Department of Developmental Services walks families through what a limited conservatorship really means and the gentler alternatives, like power of attorney and supported decision-making, that may fit your adult child better. A calm, official first read when your teen is approaching adulthood.

The state's Vocational Rehabilitation program helps Californians with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep meaningful jobs through career counseling, training, job coaching, and assistive technology. If your young adult is ready to work, this is a free, no-cost starting point.

This nonprofit legal advocacy group offers plain-language guides to help you understand limited conservatorship, supported decision-making, and other less-restrictive options as your child turns 18. Their client rights advocates can also answer questions about your family member's rights.

This long-running nonprofit runs a pooled special needs trust that lets you set aside money for your child's future without risking their SSI or Medi-Cal eligibility. It's open to all disabilities and all ages, with no minimum asset requirement, so families without a large estate can still plan ahead.

The state's vocational rehabilitation agency helps adults with autism prepare for, find, and keep meaningful jobs through counseling, job training, supported employment, and student transition services. It's a key partner for the working years, and services are free to eligible individuals.

This long-running Alameda County nonprofit helps adults with developmental disabilities find and keep jobs, live independently in their own homes, and take part in community life through supported employment, independent living, and day supports. They have been serving local families for over 30 years.

Run by the nonprofit North Bay Housing Coalition, this pooled special needs trust lets California families set aside money for a loved one with disabilities without risking their Medi-Cal or SSI benefits. It is a lower-cost way to protect your child's future when a private trust feels out of reach.