Baton Rouge and the Capital Region — Denham Springs, Zachary, Prairieville, Gonzales, plus Ascension and Livingston parishes — have strong, credentialed help for kids with special needs, including a dedicated Orton-Gillingham dyslexia school and Our Lady of the Lake Children's. This is Baton Rouge's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help — named experts and schools where we can verify them, not just directories. It's ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, CALT/Orton-Gillingham, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. Louisiana has no Regional Center system; your free front door is EarlySteps for birth–3 and your school district's evaluation 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 →
A tuition-free public charter school built specifically for students with dyslexia, with 90 minutes of daily structured-literacy instruction from language therapists. Its curriculum is IMSLEC-recognized and Shaywitz-endorsed.
Louisiana's first tuition-free school for children with autism spectrum disorder, using a therapeutic ABA- and Universal-Design-for-Learning-based model for students with high support needs.
A specialized school serving students with a wide range of diagnoses — autism, Down syndrome, developmental and speech-language delay, apraxia, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder, and ADHD — with individualized instruction.
The Brighton School (a program of the Dyslexia Association of Greater Baton Rouge) is a nonprofit K–12 school dedicated solely to students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences, with faculty certified in Orton-Gillingham-based programs. The Capital Region's flagship dyslexia school.
The Dunham School's McKay Academic Center for Excellence supports students who learn differently within a mainstream independent-school setting — an option for families who want embedded learning support rather than a separate dyslexia school.
A searchable directory for comparing additional Baton Rouge-area private and special-education school options by location, grades, and program.
Nonprofit independent school dedicated solely to students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences, grades K-12. Faculty certified in Orton-Gillingham-based multisensory instruction. Founded 1972 by the Dyslexia Association of Greater Baton Rouge; the top-ranked special-education private school in Louisiana.
Tuition-free public charter designed exclusively for students with dyslexia, grades 1-8. IMSLEC-recognized multisensory structured-language program delivers ~90 minutes of daily reading with a trained language therapist; ~12:1 ratio. Serves East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston parishes.
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 parish public school system's Exceptional Student Services department runs dedicated Autism, Significant Disabilities, and Community-Based programs with modified instruction, related services and transition support. Free FAPE under IDEA; specific program placement varies by school and year.
Ascension Parish ranked among the highest in Louisiana for students with disabilities reaching mastery on state testing. The district provides speech, occupational therapy, adapted PE, assistive technology and self-contained programs through LeBlanc Special Services. Free public; programs change year to year.
Led by pediatric neuropsychologist Traci W. Olivier, PsyD and developmental pediatrician Steven Felix, MD, with an interdisciplinary autism assessment clinic. Diagnoses autism, ADHD, learning and intellectual disabilities — one of the Capital Region's strongest private evaluation teams.
Traci W. Olivier, PsyD, trained in pediatric neuropsychology at Kennedy Krieger / Johns Hopkins and St. Jude, evaluates children and adolescents with complex medical, neurological, and neurodevelopmental conditions, including psychoeducational testing.
A clinical child-psychology practice offering comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational assessment, ADHD and autism (ASD) evaluation, early-childhood developmental screening, and treatment for children and adolescents.
Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health Pediatric Developmental Medicine (1805 College Dr) provides developmental evaluation and care for autism, ADHD, and developmental delays, with therapy, educational therapy, and case management on site — the Capital Region's leading hospital-based diagnostic home.
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 the Capital Region, instead of trusting star ratings.
A Baton Rouge dyslexia organization providing dyslexia screening and testing (including the Shaywitz Dyslexia Screener), structured-literacy support, and CALT/CALP certification training for therapists — a hub for finding qualified local academic-language therapists.
Tricia, a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Licensed Dyslexia Therapist with a Master's in Special Education, provides one-on-one dyslexia and language therapy to families across the Baton Rouge area.
A boutique pediatric speech practice founded by a dually credentialed CCC-SLP and Certified Academic Language Therapist, combining speech-language therapy with structured-literacy dyslexia intervention, plus early intervention and feeding therapy.
Baton Rouge has top-credentialed dyslexia therapists: Suzanne Petty is a CALT-Qualified Instructor (CALT-QI) — the level that trains other therapists — and an instructor/consultant with the Dyslexia Resource Center, and Tricia J. Sparks is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). Find them and other CALTs through the ALTA Louisiana chapter directory.
The Greater Baton Rouge dyslexia and learning-disabilities resource network (tied to the local dyslexia association) connects families to structured-literacy tutoring, screening, and support across the Capital Region.
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.
Autism center whose team includes board-certified behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and registered line technicians delivering ABA and related therapies.
Provides ABA therapy following individualized treatment plans created by BCBAs and delivered by behavior technicians, with speech and occupational therapists serving families in-home, in-clinic and virtually.
Part of LEARN Behavioral, offering in-home, center-based and school-based ABA therapy supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, with more than 20 years of experience serving children with autism.
ABA therapy provider where each child receives individualized care from a Registered Behavior Technician under the close supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, in-clinic and in-home.
A long-standing Baton Rouge nonprofit offering autism diagnostic services, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and behavioral health under one roof — a comprehensive multidisciplinary home for children with autism and communication delays.
A Baton Rouge ABA clinic providing 1:1 individualized applied-behavior-analysis therapy and caregiver support for autistic children, delivered by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts and behavior technicians.
An established ABA provider with 20+ years of experience delivering personalized, data-driven applied behavior analysis for autistic children in learning centers, homes, the community, and in partnership with schools across greater Baton Rouge.
Excellence in Speech Pathology (ESP) provides comprehensive pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children with autism, motor delays, and feeding challenges across Baton Rouge — and partners with EarlySteps, ABA clinics, and schools, so care follows your child where they are.
Abilities Pediatric Therapy Services has helped Baton Rouge-area children succeed for over 30 years with speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy — a long-established, multidisciplinary local clinic.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across the Capital Region, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Denham Springs, Prairieville, or Zachary find the nearest.
Ochsner's pediatric developmental center runs a team-based autism assessment clinic (medical developmental specialist, psychologist, speech pathologist, social worker) plus ADHD and developmental evaluation. Physician referral required.
Our Lady of the Lake Children's Pediatric Developmental Medicine diagnoses and helps manage autism, ADHD, and developmental conditions, with therapy and case management integrated — the Capital Region's main hospital-based developmental program.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians across the Baton Rouge area — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Founded by Jannean Dixon, M.Ed. (special education), Cornerstone helps Baton Rouge parents navigate the special-education system with IEP and 504/IAP advocacy. A local, experienced independent advocate.
A Louisiana special-education law practice representing families on IEP meetings, due process hearings, and manifestation determinations (note: does not serve Livingston Parish).
A Capital Region special-education attorney who assists parents and advocates in obtaining needed accommodations and services for children with disabilities.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the Baton Rouge area — the field's real professional standard.
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge offers free, trained parent support to help you prepare for and understand IEP meetings — a respected, local free alternative to hiring a private advocate first.
Louisiana's protection & advocacy agency offers free legal information and advocacy for special-education rights — a no-cost first stop before hiring a private advocate or attorney.
LSU's Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders runs a speech-language-hearing clinic providing low-cost evaluation and therapy by supervised graduate clinicians — including a Preschool Language Program coordinated by Kathleen 'Keeny' Olinde, M.A., CCC-SLP. One of the Capital Region's best-value options.
For children birth to 3, EarlySteps provides developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies in the child's natural environment — the earliest, no-barrier place to start in Louisiana.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across the Baton Rouge area — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge offers free workshops and one-on-one parent support across the Capital Region — a rich free resource for families learning their rights and navigating the system.
EarlySteps is Louisiana's early-intervention system for infants and toddlers (birth to 3) with a developmental delay or qualifying medical condition — developmental evaluation and services delivered in the child's natural environment (home, child care, community). The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge is your local resource center, part of Louisiana's Parent Training and Information network (LaPTIC) — free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings, plus peer support from parents who've been there. A great first call, right in the Capital Region.
Louisiana'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 Louisiana families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Louisiana'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 Baton Rouge?
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 Baton Rouge?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Louisiana — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.