Monroe County — Bloomington, Ellettsville, Stinesville, and the surrounding townships, home to Indiana University — has strong, credentialed help for kids with special needs, anchored by IU Health Bloomington Hospital, the Riley Children's developmental-medicine clinic, and Indiana University's own speech-language and autism programs. Your two local districts — Monroe County Community Schools (MCCSC) and Richland-Bean Blossom — each run special education. This is Monroe County'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 Indiana your free front door is First Steps (birth–3) and your school district's evaluation and IEP for ages 3+, which the district must complete within 50 instructional days of your written consent. 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 →
Private school designed specifically for autistic learners, accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education and a member of the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). Program is differentiated for students on the autism spectrum with a strong transition-to-college/career outcome record.
Specialized post-secondary transition program for young adults on the autism spectrum and with ADHD and learning differences, supporting success in college, employment, and independent living. Part of the long-established CIP national network.
Richland-Bean Blossom runs its own special-education programs and IEP/Case Conference process serving Ellettsville, Stinesville, and northwestern Monroe County — the other public-district route to a free, appropriate placement in the metro.
Monroe County Community Schools serves students with specialized programs — autism support, behavior, life-skills, and resource services — within an inclusion model across its elementary, middle, and high schools. Richland-Bean Blossom runs its own programs in Ellettsville and northwestern Monroe County. In Bloomington the strongest specialized placements are most often within the public districts; insist on the right program through the IEP/CCC process.
As your child nears age 3, your First Steps service coordinator helps your family transition from early intervention into district preschool special education (MCCSC or Richland-Bean Blossom) — a knowledgeable, free local partner in finding the right next placement.
IN*SOURCE, Indiana's Parent Training and Information Center, offers free help weighing options and pushing for the right program through the IEP/CCC process — parent-to-parent guidance from people who have navigated Indiana special education themselves.
Independent K-style day school for grades 1–12 students with language-based learning differences — dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and executive-functioning challenges — with average to above-average intelligence. Entire curriculum is built on the Orton-Gillingham approach; every teacher completes 70–100 hours of OGA training plus a 100-hour practicum. Indiana's only immersive OGA-accredited school and the gold-standard dyslexia option in the region. ~50 miles from Bloomington.
Nonprofit private day school (grades 3–12) developed specifically for students on the autism spectrum. Small class sizes, certified staff, and a sensory-friendly, individualized environment with academics rigorous yet differentiated for autistic learners. Indiana's accredited school purpose-built for middle and high schoolers with ASD — in the league of dedicated autism day schools. ~50 miles from Bloomington.
Established private special-education day school serving students ages 6–21 with autism, intellectual disabilities, and developmental/behavioral challenges. Staffed by Indiana-licensed teachers with special-education endorsements; part of Damar Services, a long-running disability-services organization that also runs the state-approved Damar Charter Academy. Designed for students who need more support than a home district can provide. ~50 miles from Bloomington.
The public-school special-education program directly serving Bloomington families across the full continuum of services in the least restrictive environment. Addresses every Indiana special-education eligibility area — including learning disabilities and dyslexia — with certified SPED teachers plus behavior specialists, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and OT/PT. Was among the first Indiana districts to deliver inclusive services. The primary in-Bloomington option for IEP-based placement and supports.
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.
Public school corporation serving northwestern Monroe County (Ellettsville area) with district special-education services and IEP-based supports across its schools. Programs change year to year.
Part of the Indiana Early Autism Evaluation (EAE) Hub system run through IU School of Medicine, providing developmental autism evaluations for young children in a hospital-affiliated pediatric setting.
Center providing comprehensive neurodevelopmental, learning-disorder, and ADHD assessments for ages 12 months through adulthood, conducted by licensed clinicians.
Indiana University's evaluation clinic does comprehensive psychoeducational and neurodevelopmental evaluations — autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, and learning disabilities — including Independent Educational Evaluations for school-eligibility disputes. Assessments are delivered by graduate clinicians under licensed Health Service Providers in Psychology (HSPP).
Dr. Dawn Lindeman is a licensed clinical psychologist (HSPP) in Bloomington who provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, including dyslexia diagnosis. A credentialed private route for a psychoeducational assessment in Monroe County.
Riley Children's Health (IU Health) runs a developmental-medicine clinic in Bloomington and is an Early Autism Evaluation (EAE) Hub site for children roughly 14–48 months — the academic, in-town route for a formal autism or developmental diagnosis, with the full Riley/IU School of Medicine team in Indianapolis for complex cases.
The Indiana Resource Center for Autism, part of IU's Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, is a nationally respected hub of autism information, evaluation guidance, and family resources based right in Bloomington — a trusted local place to learn what a quality evaluation should include before you book one.
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 Monroe County, instead of trusting star ratings.
A dyslexia and learning center co-founded by psychologists, with a Bloomington location directed by Dr. Dawn Lindeman. Tutors use the Barton Reading & Spelling System (built on the Orton-Gillingham approach) for multisensory, structured-literacy instruction, plus dyslexia diagnosis.
Indiana law requires districts to screen K–2 students for dyslexia risk factors and provide evidence-based, structured-literacy intervention, with a trained dyslexia/reading specialist in each district. MCCSC and Richland-Bean Blossom must offer this free — request dyslexia screening and services in writing, and know your rights before paying for private tutoring.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators lists accredited O-G practitioners searchable near Bloomington and Ellettsville. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor — evidence-based, multisensory, structured literacy — instead of trusting ads.
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.
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat fine-motor, visual-motor, and sensory-processing difficulties affecting self-care, academic, and social skills in children and teens, with a Bloomington location.
Provides multisensory, diagnostic Orton-Gillingham reading and spelling instruction by trained tutors, with in-person and online options and need-based scholarships, serving students with dyslexia statewide including the Bloomington area.
A Bloomington ABA center providing one-on-one applied behavior analysis, individualized programming, life-skills, and classroom-readiness programs for children with autism. Confirm each clinician's BCBA credential and BHCOE accreditation.
A private Bloomington speech-language clinic operating since 2011, offering evaluations and treatment for children with articulation, language, and social-communication challenges, plus social-skills groups. Verify each clinician's CCC-SLP certification and Indiana SLP license.
A Bloomington pediatric clinic offering occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy in play-based formats, working collaboratively with families and physicians. Confirm each therapist's OTR/L, PT, or CCC-SLP credential when you book.
The Hopebridge Bloomington center provides BCBA-led applied behavior analysis plus autism diagnostic evaluations for children in Monroe County — a credentialed center-based autism provider. Ask about BHCOE accreditation and each clinician's BCBA certification.
Teach & Play ABA is a Bloomington multi-specialty clinic offering BCBA-led ABA therapy alongside speech-language therapy and occupational therapy under one roof — convenient coordinated care for children with autism and related needs. Ask about BHCOE accreditation and each therapist's CCC-SLP / OTR-L credential.
A private Bloomington speech-language clinic offering CCC-SLP evaluations and treatment for children with articulation, language, and social-communication challenges — a credentialed local choice for focused speech therapy.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across Monroe County, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Bloomington or Ellettsville find the nearest credentialed clinician.
Riley Children's Health (IU Health) developmental-medicine physicians see Bloomington children locally and as part of the statewide Riley/IU School of Medicine team — the academic referral for formal autism, ADHD, and developmental diagnoses, with an Early Autism Evaluation Hub for toddlers.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital provides local pediatric care with 24/7 Riley pediatric hospitalists — a strong local medical starting point for developmental concerns and referrals into the Riley developmental-medicine clinic for diagnosis.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving Monroe County — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
An independent special-education advocate providing IEP and 504 help to Indiana families — Case Conference preparation, parent training, and meeting attendance — serving all Indiana (including Bloomington/Monroe County). Initial consultations are free.
An Indiana law firm with an established special-education practice representing children with special needs in IEP disputes, due process, and discipline matters statewide. A licensed-attorney option when a case needs legal representation, not just advocacy.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving Monroe County — the field's real professional standard.
IN*SOURCE is Indiana's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, evaluations, and the IEP/CCC process, delivered through a proven parent-to-parent model. A respected statewide free resource before hiring a private advocate.
Indiana's protection & advocacy agency offers free legal information and advocacy for special-education rights through its Education Team — a no-cost first stop before hiring a private advocate or attorney.
Indiana University's Speech-Language Clinic provides low-cost speech, language, and autism-related communication services — including AAC — delivered by graduate clinicians under licensed CCC-SLP supervision. A high-quality, affordable option right on the IU campus.
For children birth to 3, Indiana's First Steps provides developmental evaluations and multidisciplinary early-intervention therapies at no or low cost on a sliding scale — the earliest, lowest-barrier place to start in Monroe County.
The Indiana Resource Center for Autism at IU offers free articles, guidance, and family resources on autism — from understanding evaluations to school and behavior supports — a remarkable no-cost knowledge base based right in Bloomington.
IN*SOURCE offers free help understanding evaluations, IEPs, and your rights through a parent-to-parent model — a no-cost first call for any Monroe County family navigating special education.
For children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or a diagnosed condition, Indiana's First Steps program provides free evaluation and multidisciplinary early intervention — speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapy, plus service coordination — delivered through the South Central Indiana cluster that serves Monroe County. Anyone can refer a child, and the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from your district — Monroe County Community Schools (MCCSC) or Richland-Bean Blossom. Under Indiana's Article 7, the district must complete the evaluation and convene the Case Conference Committee (CCC) within 50 instructional days of your written consent. This is the free legal route to an IEP under IDEA.
Indiana's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency (formerly IPAS) — free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied. Its Education Team helps families address concerns about a free appropriate public education (FAPE). A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
Federally funded and free — they help Indiana families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Indiana'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 Bloomington, IN?
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 Bloomington, IN?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Indiana — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.