Autism resources in
San Diego 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.

California's statewide Early Start program provides evaluations and early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays, and this state page connects you directly to your local San Diego intake. Services are coordinated through an individualized family plan.

EFRC is the official point of entry for California Early Start in San Diego and Imperial counties, and can help you start the process if you're worried about your baby or toddler's development. They also support families of children of all ages with any disability.

Rady Children's Hospital offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary developmental evaluations for children who may have autism or related concerns, from infancy through the teen years. Their team includes psychologists, neurologists, and therapists all under one roof.

The regional center is your main entry point for free evaluations and early intervention if your child under 3 shows developmental delays, and for autism assessments and services for children over 3. There are no income requirements to qualify.

UC San Diego's ACE provides free developmental evaluations for children ages 12 to 36 months when autism or another delay is suspected. It's a welcoming option for very young children and comes at no cost to your family.

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.

This local legal aid team advocates for San Diego students with disabilities, helping families secure IEP and 504 services, attend meetings, and resolve suspension or expulsion issues. They also offer free "Know Your Rights" webinars so you can feel more confident going into your next school meeting.

SDCOE coordinates special education programs and support across San Diego County, including early intervention for children birth to age 3 and specialized school programs. It's a helpful starting point for understanding services and connecting with your local district or SELPA.

TASK is the federally funded Parent Training and Information Center and state-designated Family Empowerment Center for Los Angeles County, offering free help understanding IEPs, assessments, and your child's special education rights. Their trained advocates provide one-on-one guidance and workshops in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

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.

This local nonprofit maintains a plain-language guide listing dozens of San Diego providers for ABA, occupational therapy, speech, and physical therapy. It's a practical starting point when you're trying to find a specific type of therapist nearby.

A San Diego-based nonprofit serving thousands of local autism families, NFAR runs parent support groups, social workshops, and job-skills programs for neurodivergent youth and adults. A warm community resource alongside your therapy team.

Rady Children's hospital-based autism institute offers neurodiversity-affirming diagnostic evaluations and behavior therapy through a team of psychologists, behavior analysts, and specialists. It's a trusted place to get your child evaluated and connected to care.

This is the county's official entry point for autism and developmental-disability services, coordinating everything from early-intervention therapy for babies to behavioral, medical, and psychological services. If you have a diagnosis or suspect one, this is often the first call that unlocks funded supports.

This San Diego State University center provides clinical and educational services for children and adults with autism, plus a curated directory of San Diego resources and a parent support corner. A solid, research-backed option close to home.

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.

Free, expert help applying for or appealing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for both children and adults, including initial applications, hearings, and appeals. Their attorneys handle the paperwork and represent your family at no cost.

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.

This local chapter runs parent support groups all across the county, including dads' meetups, a South Bay moms group, a Spanish-language grupo de apoyo, teen and adult social groups, and a caregiver group for higher-support-needs autism. Check their calendar for the next meeting near you.

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.

This San Diego nonprofit sets up and serves as trustee for first- and third-party special needs trusts, so families can leave money to a loved one without risking their SSI or Medi-Cal benefits. They also offer educational seminars on protecting benefits.

Based in El Cajon, this long-established nonprofit offers adults with developmental disabilities day programs, employment services, and hands-on vocational training in areas like culinary arts and adaptive computing. It's a warm place for your adult child to grow skills and community after high school.

With campuses in Oceanside and San Marcos, TERI supports adults with autism and developmental disabilities through adult learning programs, vocational and social-enterprise jobs, and residential options. Their programs are designed to bridge the gap as your child enters adulthood.