This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Elko County, Nevada. You'll find 17 local resources listed here, alongside Nevada statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Nevada's starting point is Nevada Early Intervention Services; for school-age children, special education and IEPs run through your local school district. Confirm details directly with each provider.
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.
A partnership with UNLV Medicine, this Las Vegas center offers autism diagnosis, therapy, and family support all in one place, with nurse practitioners trained to evaluate and diagnose developmental concerns. They serve children and young adults from infancy through the transition into adulthood.
Once your child has an autism diagnosis, this statewide program helps pay for evidence-based treatment for children and young adults under age 20. ATAP funds ongoing intervention hours and treatment planning based on your child's individual needs.
If you're worried about how your baby or toddler is developing, this free state program evaluates children from birth to age 3 and provides speech, physical, and developmental support right in your home. There are no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs to families.
Based at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, UCAN's team of psychologists, therapists, and specialists provides diagnostic evaluations to confirm or rule out autism in children and adolescents. Evaluations are offered at no cost to families across Northern Nevada.
Once your child has an autism diagnosis, this state program helps families with the high cost of treatment like ABA therapy for children under age 20. It serves rural Nevada families, though there can be a waiting list, so it helps to apply early.
Not sure where to start? This free navigation line helps Elko-area families of people with disabilities figure out their next step and connects you to the right local programs and support. One friendly call can save you hours of searching.
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.
This free program helps families navigate special education, from eligibility evaluations to building an IEP and resolving disagreements with the school district. If you're feeling stuck advocating for your child, their team can guide you.
This is the state office that oversees special education and IDEA for all Nevada students with disabilities, ages 3 to 21. It's a good place to turn for questions about your rights, the state complaint process, and how special education works across Nevada.
NDALC is Nevada's federally mandated protection and advocacy organization, providing free legal help and advocacy for people with disabilities, including special education disputes with schools. Reach out if your child's rights under IDEA aren't being honored.
Nevada PEP is the state's official Parent Training and Information Center, offering free help and workshops so you can understand your child's special education rights and take an active role in IEP meetings. Their staff can walk you through evaluations, dispute resolution, and every step of the process.
This is the local district office that oversees special education, IEPs, and 504 plans for children across Elko County. Reach out here to start an evaluation, ask questions about your child's IEP, or request a meeting.
If you and your school don't agree about your child's IEP or services, this state office offers free help through IEP facilitation, mediation, and formal complaints. Every option is at no cost to families.
A trusted, long-running directory that helps Nevada parents find special education advocates, attorneys, and parent resources by city or service. A good starting point when you need someone in your corner for an IEP meeting.
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.
A Nevada nonprofit coalition that maintains a statewide Autism Provider & Services Directory, helping families find ABA, therapy, and support providers across the state. A helpful starting point when you're looking for local treatment options.
Housed at the University of Nevada, Reno, this center provides individualized ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services for children with autism from preschool through high school, ages 2 to 17. Care is delivered by trained clinicians rooted in evidence-based practice.
A multidisciplinary clinic at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine that provides comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for children and adolescents at no cost to families. A referral from a medical or licensed professional is needed to begin.
An ABA therapy provider that lists Lyon County among its Nevada service areas, offering at-home and center-based therapy with support coordinating between your child's therapists and school. They handle insurance and assessments so you can focus on your child.
Occupational therapy that reaches Elko County through traveling in-home visits and secure telehealth, which matters in a rural area where OT can be hard to find. Their therapists are state-licensed and work with kids and adults.
A local ABA (applied behavior analysis) clinic right in Elko, offering in-home, center-based, and school-based autism therapy for children and adults. They work with most insurance plans and Nevada Medicaid.
A behavioral health provider offering in-home and community-based ABA therapy and caregiver support in the Elko area. You can start an inquiry by email or through their online application.
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.
Run by the Nevada State Treasurer, ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save and invest money tax-free for everyday and disability-related costs without losing SSI or Medicaid. You can open one online for as little as $25, and friends and family can chip in too.
Nevada's three Regional Centers are the front door to Medicaid-funded services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including respite care, family support, service coordination, and the home and community-based waiver. Call the center for your area to open a case and start the eligibility process.
This state council offers plain-language guidance for families on protecting benefits, opening ABLE accounts, guardianship alternatives, and self-advocacy. It's a helpful starting point when you're trying to understand how a program might affect your child's SSI or Medicaid.
SSI provides monthly cash payments to children with disabilities in families with limited income and resources, and it often opens the door to Medicaid coverage. You can start an application by phone or online, and Social Security staff will walk you through the medical and financial requirements.
Free legal help for lower-income families, including problems with Medicaid, SSI, and other public benefits like denials or appeals. Their Elko office takes walk-ins and serves the surrounding rural counties.
This is the state office that opens your child's case for developmental disability services and is the gateway to Nevada's Medicaid ID/IDD waiver, which can fund things like respite, day habilitation, and behavioral support. The Elko team serves families across the rural counties, so you can start close to home.
This is where you apply for Nevada Medicaid, SNAP food benefits, and cash assistance right here in Elko. You can also apply online anytime through Access Nevada if getting to the office is hard.
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.
For 30 years, Family Respite Care of Nevada has been Northern Nevada's center-based respite program, caring for children and young adults with disabilities (and their siblings) so parents can rest and recharge. Scholarships are available for families facing financial hardship.
FEAT is a community of autism families in Southern Nevada offering free membership, parent support meetings (including groups for newly diagnosed families, dads, siblings, and Spanish speakers), and social events like Parents Night Out. It's a welcoming place to learn, connect, and feel less alone.
This state program from Nevada's Aging and Disability Services Division helps families caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability at home, offering respite vouchers and emergency financial help for eligible families. Call the office or a Regional Center near you to apply.
Opportunity Village has empowered people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Las Vegas area since 1954, offering day programs, arts and social recreation, employment support, and respite that gives families a break. It's a longtime anchor for the Southern Nevada IDD community.
A group of Elko County parents helping other parents navigate autism, with a monthly support group meeting and help finding doctors, respite, and treatment. They also offer scholarships and training for local families.
Year-round sports and recreation in Elko for people with intellectual disabilities, offering basketball, bocce, bowling, flag football, and track and field. Athletes of all abilities are welcome and no experience is needed.
Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A neurodivergent employment agency offering job support nationwide over Zoom: resume building, mock interviews, and career guidance, plus direct outreach to employers to help secure placements. Supports neurodivergent individuals roughly ages 16 to 50, and has been in business over 15 years.
Nevada's state agency runs three Regional Centers (Desert, Sierra, and Rural) that coordinate lifelong services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential support, day programs, and case management as your child ages out of school. Reach out to find the center that serves your county.
This state program helps teens and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep meaningful jobs through coaching, training, internships, and long-term follow-up. It also offers student transition services to bridge the move from high school into employment.
A plain-language state guide to guardianship and less-restrictive options like supported decision-making for adults with disabilities, with links to Clark County court resources and legal aid. A helpful starting point as your child approaches 18 and you weigh decision-making roles.
When your child turns 18, this free state court resource walks you through whether guardianship is right for your family and provides the forms and step-by-step instructions to file over an adult. It also points to alternatives like supported decision-making so you can choose the least restrictive option.
This state program helps young adults with disabilities move from high school into real jobs through career counseling, job coaching, work experience, and pre-employment training. It's a key resource for teens and adults aging out who want to work in their community.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change, so always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
Spot something out of date? Suggest or report a resource →