Washtenaw County — Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, and Milan — has some of the deepest, most credentialed help in Michigan for kids with special needs, anchored by the University of Michigan: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and the Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI) clinics. Your local districts — Ann Arbor Public Schools, Ypsilanti Community Schools, Saline Area Schools, and Dexter Community Schools — each run special education, coordinated through the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD). This is Washtenaw's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help — named experts and clinics where we can verify them, ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification), never by reviews or who pays. In Michigan your free front door is Early On (birth–3) and your school district's evaluation and IEP for ages 3+. Start there, then the best evaluators, schools, reading specialists, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
An independent, nonprofit day school (founded 1997) for students in grades K-13 with learning differences — dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, language-based learning disabilities, high-functioning autism, and ADHD. Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).
The Washtenaw Intermediate School District runs cooperative, center-based programs for the county's highest-needs students — autism (ASD), severe cognitive/multiple impairments, and early-childhood special education — serving Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, and Milan. In Washtenaw the strongest specialized placements are most often within the public ISD and districts; insist on the right program through the IEP process.
Ann Arbor Public Schools serves students with disabilities through resource, categorical, and inclusion programs across its buildings. Ypsilanti, Saline, and Dexter run their own as well. Request the placement and services your child needs in writing and hold the team to the IEP.
Michigan Alliance for Families, the state's Parent Training and Information Center, offers free help weighing options and pushing for the right program through the IEP process — invaluable when a district resists a more specialized or inclusive placement.
Washtenaw Intermediate School District's specialized public school serving students with disabilities ages 3-26 who have significant cognitive, physical, multiple, or behavioral impairments. Certified special-education staff plus on-site occupational, physical, speech, and music therapy, adaptive aquatics, school psychology and social work. Open to residents of Ann Arbor and surrounding Washtenaw districts.
The local district special-education continuum for Ann Arbor families: certified special-education teachers, IEP-driven specially designed instruction, related services (speech, OT, PT, psychology, social work), and resource and self-contained programs from birth to age 26. Backed by an active parent advisory committee (AAPAC) and well-regarded IEP supports.
Established K-12 independent school (founded 1986) built entirely for students who learn differently - ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, executive-function challenges, mild ASD, and twice-exceptional learners. Strength-based 'Eton Approach,' classes capped at 10, with embedded learning specialists. Roughly 35 miles from Ann Arbor.
Cognia-accredited private school delivering true 1:1 (one teacher, one student) instruction, used by families of students with learning disabilities, anxiety/depression, and those needing an individualized pace. Flexible enrollment for full-time or supplemental coursework. About 25 miles east of Ann Arbor.
Long-running nonprofit (Autism Connections division) providing center-based ABA therapy, speech and occupational therapy, autism diagnostic evaluation, and the Bridges to Success transition program for teens/young adults. Operates a dedicated Ann Arbor location plus several metro-Detroit centers, with certified behavior-analytic and clinical staff.
Established nonprofit human-services agency and a Blue Cross Blue Shield Approved Autism Evaluation Center (AAEC) offering autism diagnostic evaluations for ages 18 months through adulthood, plus ABA, speech, and occupational therapy. Contracted with Washtenaw County for Medicaid ABA.
A 25-year Ann Arbor practice led by Roger E. Lauer, Ph.D., with a team of doctoral psychologists doing comprehensive neuropsychological and psychological testing for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and learning disabilities. One of Washtenaw County's deepest private evaluation benches.
Founded and directed by Suzi Naguib, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist with 20+ years in autism, ADHD, and anxiety, Sunfield provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and evidence-based therapy for children, teens, and adults across the neurodiverse spectrum.
The Ann Arbor office of Lake Michigan Neuropsychology, led by Dr. Eduardo Montoya, provides evidence-based neuropsychological assessments and interventions including ADHD and autism evaluation. Verify the clinician's board credentials before booking.
The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital runs the Mott Autism Collaborative — a Multidisciplinary Developmental Evaluation Clinic (M-DEC) for children 5 and under and a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic for older children — the region's academic home for autism and developmental diagnosis. The referral for complex cases right here in Ann Arbor.
The Mary A. Rackham Institute's University Center for Language and Literacy (UCLL) provides science-based language, literacy, and learning evaluations for children and adults — a credentialed University of Michigan clinic for speech-language and reading diagnostics, distinct from but complementary to a full neuropsychological evaluation.
The American Board of Professional Psychology's directory lists clinicians who passed board certification in clinical neuropsychology — the credential to verify in any private evaluator across Washtenaw County, instead of trusting star ratings.
Founded by Lauren A. Katz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Joanne Marttila Pierson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, 3LI provides literacy/language assessment and evidence-based, structured-literacy therapy for dyslexia and language-based learning disorders, plus consulting for families and schools.
The Ann Arbor Lindamood-Bell center provides intensive one-to-one and small-group reading, decoding, spelling, and comprehension instruction using evidence-based imagery-language programs, with support for dyslexia, ADHD, and high-functioning autism.
The Children's Dyslexia Center of Southeastern Michigan provides free, Orton-Gillingham-based, multisensory structured-literacy tutoring — one-on-one, twice a week after school — regardless of a family's ability to pay. A drive from Washtenaw but a remarkable no-cost option for a child with dyslexia.
The University Center for Language and Literacy at MARI delivers evidence-based, structured-literacy reading intervention for children with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities — a credentialed University of Michigan option right in Ann Arbor.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators lists accredited O-G practitioners — searchable near Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, or Saline. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor; verify it instead of trusting ads, and avoid non-evidence-based programs like vision therapy or Brain Balance.
Center providing comprehensive, evidence-based autism therapy spanning behavioral (ABA), speech-language, occupational, and feeding therapy with intensive family involvement and individualized intervention plans.
A BHCOE-accredited (since 2019) ABA provider with licensed behavior analysts delivering center-, home-, and community-based applied behavior analysis for children with autism. Confirmed accreditation is the credential to look for in any ABA provider.
A BHCOE-accredited (Full Accreditation, 2026) ABA center providing board-certified, supervised applied behavior analysis for children with autism in Ann Arbor.
A BHCOE-accredited (2024) Ann Arbor ABA center offering BCBA-supervised therapy for children ages 2–18, with early-intervention, junior/adolescent, and social-skills programs for autism and developmental disabilities.
Founded by Ahlam Issa, M.A., CCC-SLP (ASHA-certified), Anwar House of Therapy provides pediatric speech-language therapy and occupational therapy (ages 2–18) in person and via teletherapy across Ann Arbor and Dearborn.
Total Spectrum's Ann Arbor learning center provides BCBA-supervised, 1:1 applied behavior analysis for children with autism — a credentialed local ABA provider. Ask about BHCOE accreditation and confirm a board-certified behavior analyst designs and oversees the program.
MARI delivers BCBA-led ABA therapy (through its University Center for the Child and Family) and CCC-SLP speech-language therapy (through the University Center for Language and Literacy) — credentialed University of Michigan clinics for autism, communication, and learning needs, all in Ann Arbor.
A2 Therapy Works provides pediatric speech-language therapy (CCC-SLP) and occupational therapy (OTR/L), including sensory-integration OT, for children with autism, SPD, ADHD, and learning disabilities across Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County — a credentialed local clinic (Anwar House of Therapy also serves Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti).
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across Washtenaw, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, or Saline find the nearest credentialed clinician.
Led by Rick Solomon, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician (and founder of the PLAY Project), this private center diagnoses and treats autism, ADHD, sleep, and developmental concerns, using the ADOS for autism evaluation — a non-hospital DBP option in Ann Arbor.
The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics program offers board-certified specialists for autism, ADHD, and developmental diagnoses — the academic medical home for Washtenaw County, with the Mott Autism Collaborative for younger children.
Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan Health) provides the full range of pediatric specialty care in Ann Arbor — a strong local medical home for developmental concerns and referrals into the Mott autism and DBP clinics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving Washtenaw County — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
An independent special-education advocate (Master's in Education, COPAA-trained) handling IEPs, 504 plans, eligibility disputes, discipline, and state complaints for families across Michigan, including Ann Arbor. By appointment; offers a free 30-minute consultation.
Independent special-education advocate Angela Tyszka helps Michigan families through the IEP process, knowledge of IDEA and Michigan's MARSE rules, and collaboration with school teams. By appointment; not an attorney.
A Southeast Michigan attorney providing special-education law and advocacy (IEPs, 504s, due process) serving Washtenaw and surrounding counties. By appointment.
A Michigan firm with an Ann Arbor office whose attorneys and social workers focus on special-needs planning (special-needs trusts, guardianships, future planning) alongside elder law and estate planning — useful when special-education needs intersect with long-term planning.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving Washtenaw County — the field's real professional standard.
Michigan Alliance for Families is the state's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, evaluations, and the IEP process for children birth to 26. A respected statewide free resource before hiring a private advocate.
The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan is a Washtenaw-rooted nonprofit (based in Ann Arbor) that provides free education advocacy for students, including special-education and discipline issues — a credible local first call before paying for representation.
For children birth to 3, Early On — delivered by the Washtenaw ISD Early Childhood team — provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies. The earliest, no-barrier place to start in Washtenaw County.
Free, Orton-Gillingham-based reading tutoring for children with dyslexia, regardless of a family's ability to pay — one-on-one, twice weekly. A drive from Ann Arbor but a rare no-cost structured-literacy option.
MARI's University of Michigan clinics offer language, literacy, ABA, and mental-health services at university-clinic rates with financial-assistance options — a lower-cost, credentialed path to evaluation and therapy in Ann Arbor. Ask about fee assistance.
Michigan Alliance for Families offers free help understanding evaluations, IEPs, and your rights — a no-cost first call for any Washtenaw family navigating special education.
For children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or disability, Early On — Michigan's Part C system, delivered locally by the Washtenaw ISD Early Childhood team (with Ann Arbor Public Schools as a delegate partner) — provides free evaluation and early intervention: speech, occupational, and physical therapy, special instruction, and family coaching. Refer your child directly at 1-800-EARLY-ON. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from your district — Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, or Milan. In Michigan the district has 10 school days to respond and seek consent, then must complete the evaluation and hold a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) meeting within 30 school days of your written consent, followed by an IEP if eligible. This is the free legal route to an IEP under IDEA.
Michigan's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied. A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
Federally funded and free — they help Michigan families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Michigan's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
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How do I start the special-education process in Ann Arbor?
Put your request in writing to your child's school, asking for a full special-education evaluation — that is the legal first step. On A New Story you'll find a free, ready-to-send evaluation-request letter you can use today.
How long does a special-education evaluation take?
Once you give written consent, the school generally must complete the evaluation and hold an eligibility meeting within a set timeline (often around 60 days, though it varies by state). Putting your request in writing starts the clock.
Can my school district pay for a private special-education school?
Sometimes. If the public school can't provide an appropriate education, the district can be required to fund a state-approved nonpublic placement. It isn't automatic — it takes the right evaluation and advocacy — but families do it every year, including ones with limited funds.
What's the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP provides specialized instruction and services under IDEA; a 504 plan provides accommodations under civil-rights law. A New Story's free guides walk you through which one fits your child.
Where can I find free special-education help in Ann Arbor?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Michigan — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.