Atlanta has Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the renowned Marcus Autism Center, and the Southeast's flagship dyslexia school — the hard part is knowing which help is genuinely excellent and how to reach the free options first. This is Atlanta's own directory, ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham accreditation, COPAA, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. Start with the free Georgia options, then the best evaluators, schools, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
Private school for dyslexic learners in grades 1-8 in Marietta, using a full-immersion Orton-Gillingham program that is one of only a small number of programs nationally accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.
Pre-K through 8th grade school in Roswell for students with learning and developmental differences, using a language-rich, multisensory program with reading and math in groups of 3-6 and a 5:1 student-teacher ratio.
Marietta school serving preschool through grade 12 students with developmental delays and learning disabilities, with small classes and one-on-one academics. Speech, OT and PT delivered in-school via partnership with Greater Atlanta Speech & Language Clinics.
School whose teachers are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, providing 2-4 years of intensive dyslexia remediation before students transition back to private or public settings.
Mercer University-affiliated school dedicated to transforming education for dyslexic students, with a research-based, university-backed model. (Mercer's Atlanta campus serves metro families.)
School for children with sensory, movement and communication differences (including autism), accredited yearly by the Georgia Accrediting Commission with a curriculum aligned to grade-level standards plus individualized accommodations.
Accredited specialized school in the Atlanta area designed for children with learning differences and special needs, emphasizing academic success alongside social and emotional independence.
Accredited nonprofit school in Fayette County (south metro) combining research-based instruction with assistive technology, social-emotional development, career coaching and integrated therapies for children with learning differences.
Atlanta school and therapeutic center providing individualized educational and therapeutic services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, with a long history of inclusive special-needs programming.
An independent K-8 school for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and executive-function differences, built on an evidence-based, multisensory Orton-Gillingham approach.
A school on the Chattahoochee River corridor serving students grades K-12 with learning differences through academic and experiential programming focused on building self-confidence and independence.
Founded in 1981, a college-prep school for grades 1-12 serving bright students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD through individualized academic, social, and emotional support.
Founded in 1959, Schenck is regarded as one of the top schools for dyslexic students in the U.S. — focused, accelerated remediation through the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The Southeast's dyslexia flagship.
An Atlanta K–12 school specializing in language-based learning differences — dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, language-processing disorder, and ADHD — with individualized instruction.
A fully accredited Atlanta school for neurodiverse students with high-functioning autism, Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, and other learning differences — a structured, supportive environment.
The Atlanta Speech School (Buckhead) runs the Wardlaw School for K–6 students with dyslexia, plus on-site clinical programs in speech-language pathology, audiology, and occupational therapy — a renowned literacy-and-language institution.
These public schools and programs have a solid track record in special education — but we don’t re-check them every year. Staff, leadership, and programs change from building to building and year to year. Treat this as a strong starting point, and confirm the current fit for your child.
State-operated, tuition-free K-12 school in Clarkston serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those with multiple disabilities. Established 1972 and operated by the Georgia Department of Education.
Georgia's largest district runs a continuum of specialized separate-classroom programs and autism/cognitive-support services across clusters, with district psychologists and an established special-education infrastructure. Programs vary by year and placement.
DeKalb's Exceptional Education division operates a full special-education continuum and hosts GNETS therapeutic programs (Shadow Rock Center K-5, Eagle Woods Academy 6-12) for students with intensive social/emotional/behavioral needs. Programs change year to year.
Large suburban district with an established special-education department offering a continuum of services and specialized programs for autism and learning disabilities across metro Cobb. Programs and placements vary year to year.
Part of The Emory Clinic, providing comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for autism and complex developmental concerns from toddlerhood through adulthood using gold-standard instruments (ADOS-2, etc.).
Private neuropsychology practice led by Thomas G. Burns, PsyD, ABPP — board-certified in clinical neuropsychology with pediatric subspecialty and an Emory School of Medicine adjunct appointment — offering pediatric neuropsychological evaluation.
A psychologist-led practice (with Emory/Marcus-trained clinicians) providing developmental and psychological evaluations from infancy through high school for autism, learning disorders, ADHD, and social-emotional concerns.
CHOA's neuropsychology department has 13 neuropsychologists, six board-certified through ABPP — including Dawn Ilardi, PhD, ABPP-CN; Kimie Ono, PhD, ABPP; and Kathleen O'Toole, PhD, ABPP — for comprehensive evaluations of learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism.
An Atlanta private practice with board-certified pediatric neuropsychologists (CHOA/Emory-trained, such as Dawn Ilardi and Kimie Ono) — thorough private evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism.
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, instead of trusting star ratings.
A nonprofit outreach of The Schenck School providing one-on-one Orton-Gillingham reading tutoring and dyslexia screening for metro-Atlanta children (you need not be enrolled at Schenck); includes the no-cost S.H.I.N.E. program for financially qualifying families.
An Atlanta-based provider tutoring students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD since 2008/2009 using research-based, multisensory programs including Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, and Barton.
A leading metro-Atlanta dyslexia tutoring provider using a structured-literacy, multisensory curriculum (phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension) for students with dyslexia and learning differences, in person and online.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across Atlanta — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, verified by training rather than advertising (Schenck's faculty are O-G experts).
A huge audiobook/highlighting library — free for students with a qualifying reading disability, so your child keeps up with grade-level books while they learn to decode.
BCBA-owned and operated ABA provider delivering comprehensive in-home therapy for children with autism across metro Atlanta, operating since 2016.
Pediatric therapy practice (since 2008) with clinics in North Buckhead and East Cobb offering occupational, speech and physical therapy tailored to each child, including sensory and developmental needs.
Pediatric occupational therapy practice specializing in sensory-integration-based treatment, with four metro Atlanta locations.
Pediatric clinic led by an OTR/L clinical director offering occupational and speech therapy, DIR/Floortime, social-skills groups and feeding therapy for children with developmental and sensory needs.
Pediatric therapy practice founded in 2016 by an OTR/L, providing occupational, speech, physical and ABA therapy with play- and sensory-based intervention in Atlanta.
A BHCOE-accredited autism therapy center offering ABA alongside speech, occupational, and feeding therapy plus diagnostic evaluations, with an interdisciplinary model.
A BHCOE-reaccredited ABA provider delivering clinic- and home-based therapy, assessment, and school consultation for children with autism across the north-metro area.
A family-centered center providing autism diagnostic evaluations and ABA, speech, feeding, and occupational therapy across several north-metro locations.
A strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming pediatric occupational therapy and counseling practice founded in 1988 (led by Milagros Cordero, OTR/L), using a DIRFloortime approach with bilingual English/Spanish parent training.
A pediatric occupational therapy practice (founded 2003 by Florie Glusman, OTR/L) offering evaluations and individual and group OT, including sensory-motor and Interactive Metronome work, for infants through teens.
A speech-language practice with CCC-SLP clinicians providing pediatric speech, language, fluency, and feeding therapy plus tutoring, in clinic, at school, in home, or via telepractice across metro Atlanta.
A pediatric speech-language clinic (owner Kemyauna Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP) providing articulation, fluency, language, and social-skills therapy for children and adolescents.
A BHCOE-accredited autism therapy provider with multiple Atlanta centers (Camp Creek, Brookhaven) offering ABA alongside feeding, occupational, and speech-language therapy.
A BHCOE-accredited Atlanta provider delivering behavior, speech, occupational, and physical therapy in home and clinic settings — a coordinated, multidisciplinary option.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across Atlanta (such as Autism Behavioral Institute and Early Autism Services) — the real quality bar, instead of guessing from ads or stars.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's directory lists speech-language pathologists who hold the CCC-SLP — the national mark of a fully qualified clinician.
Led by developmental pediatrician I. Leslie Rubin, MD, with 40+ years' experience, offering autism diagnosis, developmental pediatrics, and coordinated care for children and adults with developmental differences.
Marcus Autism Center (a CHOA subsidiary with Emory) treats 4,500+ children a year and is one of only three NIH Autism Centers of Excellence — developmental pediatricians, comprehensive autism evaluations, and intensive evidence-based treatment.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory developmental-behavioral pediatricians diagnose and treat autism, ADHD, developmental delay, and learning concerns within an academic medical system.
Independent special-education advocacy by Brandi Tanner, PhD, NCSP (former special educator and school psychologist) — record reviews, strategy, correspondence, and IEP/504 meeting attendance across metro-Atlanta counties.
A Georgia special-education advocate (Debbie Dobbs, MS) attending IEP/eligibility/504 meetings, conducting record reviews, and assisting with Katie Beckett Medicaid applications for families of children with disabilities.
A special-education law firm representing Georgia families in IEP and 504 meetings, mediation, and due-process litigation under IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA, drawing on experience on both sides of school disputes.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving Atlanta (such as Debbie Dobbs Advocacy) — the field's real professional standard.
Atlanta Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across metro Atlanta — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
Georgia's Department of Education offers free special-education dispute-resolution options — facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, state complaints, and due process — a no-cost path when you disagree with your district.
GSU's training clinic has served the Atlanta community since 1975 — low-cost speech-language evaluations, therapy, and hearing services delivered by supervised graduate clinicians.
The Atlanta Speech School's Clinic provides in-depth diagnostic and therapeutic services across speech-language pathology, education, OT, and audiology — with financial assistance options for eligible families.
For children birth to 3, Georgia's Babies Can't Wait provides developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies at free or low cost — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3, Georgia's Babies Can't Wait provides developmental evaluations and early-intervention services (speech, OT, PT, developmental). The earliest, no-barrier place to start if you have any concern about your baby or toddler.
Georgia's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied. A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
Georgia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings, plus parent-to-parent support. A great first call.
Federally funded and free — they help Georgia families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Georgia'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 Atlanta?
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 Atlanta?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Georgia — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.