Greater Austin covers Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties — Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, San Marcos. This is a true yellow pages of the best, most relevant help for a child with special needs, built so a family ANYWHERE in the metro can find genuinely excellent care nearby — named experts and therapists, not just directories. It's ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, CALT/Orton-Gillingham, COPAA, CCC-SLP, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. Start with the free Texas options, 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 →
Accredited, independent nonprofit middle and high school for students who learn differently. Founded in 1997 by a reading teacher, a neuropsychologist, and a speech-language pathologist to give students with learning differences a path to academic success.
School for students with specific learning disabilities, with staff highly trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, Multisensory Math, and the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) to build effective learners and self-advocates.
Therapeutic private school for neurodivergent learners whose needs were not met in traditional settings. Integrates therapists, certified special-education teachers, and behavior specialists with individualized academics, social-skills training, and on-site counseling.
Independent specialized school in Cedar Park for students with mild-to-moderate learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism spectrum, and ADHD. Each student is assessed and given a personalized program with a very low teacher-to-student ratio.
Private school for neurodiverse and twice-exceptional thinkers who are gifted with learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, or high-functioning autism. Serves Austin, Pflugerville, and Round Rock.
A nonprofit therapeutic school for children with speech, language, and learning differences (preschool through 5th grade), with on-site speech/language, occupational, and reading therapy through its Children's Therapy Center.
An accredited private K–12 school with specialty instruction for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and gifted/twice-exceptional (2e) learners — triple-accredited (WASC, Cognia, TEPSAC).
A nonprofit school providing individualized, therapeutic education for children ages 2–22 with autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning disorders, Down syndrome, and other neurological differences — serving students with significant behavioral and communication needs.
Rawson Saunders School is the only full-curriculum school for dyslexic students (grades 1–8) in Central Texas, using Orton-Gillingham research-proven methods — Cognia-accredited, with an IMSLEC-accredited training institute (a Neuhaus partner). The metro's flagship dyslexia school.
The Rise School of Austin is a nationally recognized, NAEYC-accredited early-childhood program where children with developmental delays (autism, Down syndrome, and more) learn side by side with typically developing peers — a strong inclusion foundation for young learners.
Austin-based Texas Parent to Parent can help you compare additional Austin-area school options for dyslexia, autism, and learning differences at no cost — including district special-education programs across Austin ISD, Round Rock, Leander, and Hays.
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.
The largest district special-education program in the metro, offering Child Find evaluations and a full continuum of autism and learning-support services. In Feb 2026 the district exited state oversight after completing 10,000+ evaluations and adding 250+ trained staff. Programs vary year to year.
Suburban district recognized for dyslexia services; reported as one of only two Texas districts with a certified dyslexia trainer on staff. Provides a free continuum of special-education and learning-support programs. Programs change year to year.
Tuition-free public charter (International Baccalaureate) in Round Rock providing special-education and Section 504 services within an inclusive setting. Free to attend; enrollment by lottery and programs change year to year.
Assessment practice where all evaluations are conducted by a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree; autism assessments are completed collaboratively by a psychologist and a speech-language pathologist.
A psychology practice whose clinicians (including pediatric neuropsychologist Dr. Jessica Woods, PsyD, and Dr. Jennifer Carter, PhD, school psychologist/neuropsychologist) provide comprehensive evaluations for children ages 6+ for ADHD, learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
A neuropsychology practice (Melissa Bunner, PhD, and Stephanie Paulos, PhD) that evaluates children, including early autism detection and developmental speech/language/learning disorders. Verify board status directly when scheduling.
Led by Dr. Jennifer Reynolds, this center provides neuropsychological evaluations for children for ADHD, learning disorders, autism, executive functioning, and IQ testing. By appointment; no public street address published.
Cynthia Austin, PhD, ABPP — board-certified in both pediatric clinical neuropsychology and clinical neuropsychology, fellowship-trained at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins — practices in UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children's, evaluating learning, attention, and neurodevelopmental conditions. A top-credentialed evaluator.
Dell Children's Texas Child Study Center (with UT Health Austin) provides comprehensive autism and neurodevelopmental assessment and individualized care planning — a leading academic option for a formal diagnosis in Central Texas.
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 (in Round Rock, Cedar Park, or Georgetown), instead of trusting star ratings.
A long-established dyslexia center providing structured-literacy therapy for children (grades 2+) using the Take Flight curriculum and training Certified Academic Language Therapists through ALTA. A credible, credential-first source for dyslexia intervention.
A long-running reading-remediation practice providing one-on-one structured-literacy dyslexia intervention (Phono-Graphix and other evidence-based methods), cognitive training, early-reader programs, and diagnostic screening for children with dyslexia and processing differences.
Shonna Skarda is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and Texas Licensed Dyslexia Therapist offering screening and intervention for dyslexia and dysgraphia, plus reading-comprehension, written-expression, and executive-function support — a named, top-credentialed Austin dyslexia therapist.
The Dyslexia Center of Austin connects families with private Certified Academic Language Therapists year-round and trains new dyslexia therapists — a credible, credential-first source for structured-literacy intervention.
The Academic Language Therapy Association (headquartered in Austin) and IDA Austin list Certified Academic Language Therapists across the metro — the gold-standard dyslexia credential, searchable so you can find a CALT near Round Rock, Cedar Park, or San Marcos.
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.
Highly respected clinician-owned center integrating Speech-Language Pathology and ABA, founded in 2010 by Brandy Windham (M.A., CCC-SLP, BCBA, LBA) and Christie Layton Petersen (M.Ed., BCBA, LBA), both UT Austin educators. Uses the Early Start Denver Model in play-based therapy.
Center-based autism therapy staffed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) with on-site speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists for coordinated, multidisciplinary early intervention.
Pediatric practice providing speech-language therapy and occupational therapy specifically for neurodiverse children and teenagers, delivered by licensed therapists.
A multidisciplinary pediatric clinic offering occupational, physical, speech, and feeding therapy — including intensive therapy programs — with ASHA-certified (CCC-SLP) speech-language pathologists. Strong fit for children with autism and complex developmental needs.
A pediatric clinic providing speech-language therapy (delivered by certified CCC-SLP clinicians) and occupational therapy for sensory processing, fine-motor, and visual-motor needs after proper evaluation.
A bilingual speech-language practice founded by Angela Sotolongo-Grewal, MS, CCC-SLP, specializing in speech and language development for autistic children, early intervention (ages 3 and under), and articulation therapy.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider with multiple Austin and Cedar Park centers — research-based applied behavior analysis for autistic children, accredited for clinical quality rather than ad spend.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider with multiple Austin and Cedar Park centers — research-based applied behavior analysis for autistic children across the metro, accredited for clinical quality rather than ad spend.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider serving Austin and Round Rock — applied behavior analysis for neurodiverse individuals across the lifespan, in homes, schools, and treatment centers. Accredited for clinical quality.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across the metro (including BrightPath Behavior and Cultivate serving Round Rock/Georgetown/Hutto) — searchable by zip so families in Pflugerville, Leander, or San Marcos find the nearest accredited center.
ASHA ProFind lists speech-language pathologists who hold the CCC-SLP and AOTA lists licensed occupational therapists (OTR/L) — national credentials to verify, searchable anywhere in greater Austin.
Dell Children's Medical Center (with UT Health Austin) developmental-behavioral pediatrics provides expert diagnosis and management of autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns by board-certified specialists — Central Texas's leading academic children's program.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians across greater Austin — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
An Austin-based independent special-education advocacy practice led by Virginia Spencer, M.Ed. (COPAA member, ICF-accredited ADHD coach), offering evaluation-data review, intensive advocacy coaching, dispute/due-process representation, and private-school placement. By appointment.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving greater Austin — the field's real professional standard.
The Cuddy Law Firm provides Austin families with both special-education attorneys and advocates for IEP/504 disputes, evaluations, and due process — legal representation when a district isn't meeting its obligations.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across the Austin region — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
The University of Texas at Austin's Speech and Hearing Center provides low-cost speech, language, and hearing evaluation and therapy for children — plus free hearing screenings — delivered by graduate clinicians under licensed, ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
Austin-based Texas Parent to Parent offers free parent-to-parent matching, resource navigation, and training for families of children with disabilities and special health-care needs across Texas — a warm, no-cost first stop.
For children birth to 3, Texas ECI provides developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies free or on an income-based sliding scale through your local program — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3 with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities, Texas ECI provides evaluation and early-intervention services (speech, OT, PT, developmental). Services are free or on an income-based sliding scale, and your local program is found through the HHS program search. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Texas's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education or early-intervention rights are denied. A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
Texas's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. (Austin-based Texas Parent to Parent, txp2p.org, is another excellent free family resource.) A great first call.
Federally funded and free — they help Texas families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Texas's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
When you’re ready, an expert can review your child’s IEP and build your plan. See how it works →
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How do I start the special-education process in Austin?
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 Austin?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Texas — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.