🌱 Diagnosis & Early Intervention
Getting an evaluation and accessing early services.
Free CDC milestone checklists and a Milestone Tracker app help you follow your child's development from 2 months to 5 years, so you know what to watch for and when to act. A gentle first step when you're unsure whether to seek an evaluation.
Based at the University of Idaho, CDHD is the state's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, supporting families through education, research, and community services. It's a trusted hub for information and connection to disability supports across Idaho.
Idaho's statewide early intervention program helps children from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or a condition likely to cause one. Services like developmental therapy, speech, and occupational therapy are provided at no cost to families, and you can refer your own child.
This university clinic in Pocatello offers comprehensive autism and neurodevelopmental evaluations, using the gold-standard ADOS-2 assessment, for anyone from 12 months old through adulthood. It's open to the whole community and offers an affordable, high-quality diagnostic option.
A pediatric psychology practice in Coeur d'Alene dedicated exclusively to comprehensive autism evaluations for children and adolescents. They offer families in northern Idaho a specialized place to seek a diagnosis.
This Meridian-based clinic provides early diagnosis and evaluation for children and teens ages 18 months to 18 years. Their focus is on getting families a clear, timely autism diagnosis so support can begin sooner.
This Pocatello community health clinic provides evaluation and treatment for behavioral health concerns including autism and ADHD, alongside your child's regular pediatric care. They welcome new patients and offer same-day appointments when possible.
If you have concerns about your baby or toddler's development, this free state program evaluates children from birth to age 3 right here in Pocatello and connects your family with early intervention services. You can call yourself, no doctor referral needed.
⚖️ School & IEP Rights
IEPs, 504 plans, special education, and school advocacy.
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.
A national nonprofit protecting the rights of students with disabilities. Use their member directory to find a special-education attorney or trained advocate near you when you need help with an IEP or a dispute with a school.
Every state has a federally mandated Protection & Advocacy agency that offers free legal help when a school isn't following your child's IEP or evaluating them as required. This directory connects you to the office serving your area.
As Idaho's official protection and advocacy agency, Disability Rights Idaho offers free help and legal advocacy when your child faces problems getting the special education and services they're entitled to. They can advise you, help you write letters, and step in when the school isn't listening.
If you and your school disagree about your child's IEP, the state's dispute resolution office offers free facilitation, mediation, formal complaints, and due process hearings to help resolve it. These options are open to any Idaho parent and you don't have to try them in any set order.
IPUL is Idaho's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, where parents who have raised kids with disabilities help you understand IEPs, 504 plans, and your special education rights. Their coaching is free and available to families statewide.
The state's main special education hub, home to the Idaho Special Education Manual and your procedural safeguards — the plain rules that spell out your rights in the IEP process. A trustworthy starting point when you want to know what the school is required to do.
A free, state-funded library of plain-language guides for Idaho parents, walking you through evaluations, IEP meetings, behavior support, procedural safeguards, and the difference between IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA. A good place to read up before your next school meeting.
This is the local special education office for families in Pocatello, Chubbuck, and rural Bannock County. They handle evaluations, IEPs, 504 Plans, and least-restrictive-environment placement, and they welcome you as an equal member of your child's team.
🧩 Therapy & Treatment
ABA, speech, OT, and finding the right providers.
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.
This is Idaho's state program connecting kids with autism and developmental disabilities to intervention services like behavioral therapy and skill-building, plus family supports such as respite. Call to apply, check eligibility, or find approved provider agencies near you.
Idaho's Parent Training and Information Center, a nonprofit that helps families navigate developmental disability and autism services, early intervention, and special education with one-on-one guidance and training. A warm first call when you're not sure where to start.
St. Luke's Children's offers pediatric speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy for kids with autism and other developmental needs, with clinics in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and Twin Falls. A trusted hospital-based option for evaluations and ongoing therapy.
A long-running Idaho ABA provider (founded 2000 and run by board-certified behavior analysts) offering applied behavior analysis therapy for children with autism right in Pocatello. They accept Medicaid, insurance, and private pay.
Idaho State University's on-campus clinic evaluates and treats children for language, articulation, feeding, and communication needs, including AAC for kids who are non-speaking. Care is delivered by supervised graduate clinicians, often at reduced cost.
A Pocatello pediatric clinic offering speech, language, feeding, and occupational therapy, with therapists experienced in supporting children on the autism spectrum and with other developmental differences. A warm, play-based place to start therapy close to home.
💰 Financial Assistance & Benefits
Medicaid waivers, SSI, ABLE accounts, and legal aid.
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.
Idaho ABLE lets people with a disability that began before age 46 save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. The State Independent Living Council offers free help setting up an account and understanding the program.
Idaho's Medicaid program provides home- and community-based services and support for children under 18 with developmental disabilities so they can stay with their families. Call the Developmental Disability Program office to ask about eligibility and start an application.
Idaho's Medicaid DD Waiver can pay for in-home support, respite, therapies, and community services for a child or adult with a qualifying developmental disability. The Pocatello regional office (Region 6) serves Bannock County and can walk you through applying step by step.
🤗 Support Groups & Community
Find your people — in person and online.
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.
This state council advocates for people with developmental disabilities and their families and helps them find and direct the services and supports they need. A good starting point for understanding your rights and the systems that serve your child.
RISE provides respite care, family education (including autism-specific training), community-based supports, and recreation for Idaho children with developmental disabilities. Their respite gives caregivers a real break while kids are cared for by trained staff.
A statewide program offering year-round sports, fitness, health screenings, and community for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 2 and up. It's a joyful way for your child to build friendships, confidence, and belonging.
Run out of Idaho State University in Pocatello since 1981, CW HOG opens up rafting, skiing, bowling, hot-spring soaks and social dinners to people of all abilities and their families. It is a warm, welcoming way for your child to try new adventures alongside a supportive community.
A local family-run nonprofit based in the Idaho Falls area that connects families raising kids with Down syndrome and other developmental differences. They offer new-family support, parent and grandparent retreats, social and recreation activities like iCan Bike, and help finding community and government services.
🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A state council focused on independence, inclusion, and long-term planning for Idahoans with developmental disabilities, offering guidance, training, and connections to services across the lifespan. A helpful starting point for families mapping out adult and long-term supports.
Idaho's state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, with special programs for transition-age students moving from high school into work. Counselors offer career guidance, job coaching, training, and workplace support in offices across all 44 counties.
A state-funded program offering long-term job coaching, transportation to work, and ongoing work support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who need help staying employed after vocational rehab ends. Families usually reach it through a referral from Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation.
The state program that connects adults with developmental disabilities to Medicaid supports like day habilitation, supported employment, residential help, and self-directed 'My Voice, My Choice' services. This is also where your family applies when a young adult ages out of children's DD services into the adult system.
Based in Pocatello, this agency is a warm first point of contact for adults 18 and older with disabilities, connecting families to long-term supports, caregiver help, and protective services. Staff can walk you through options over the phone.
When your adult child needs help making decisions, this official court program walks you through guardianship and conservatorship, with required training, forms, and a coordinator in every judicial district to answer questions.
This state office helps adults and transition-age youth with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job through counseling, training, and job placement. The Pocatello office serves Bannock County and its neighbors, and there is no cost to apply.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change — always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
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