Boise and the Treasure Valley — Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna — have strong, credentialed help for kids with special needs, including the nationally respected Lee Pesky Learning Center and St. Luke's Children's. This is Boise's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help — named experts and clinics 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. Idaho has no Regional Center system; your free front door is the Idaho Infant Toddler Program 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 →
Nonprofit learning-disabilities academy operating since 2008 — on-campus diagnostic testing, research-based educational therapy, and a specialized day school for grades 2–12 for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and auditory processing.
Private Boise school for students with behavioral and learning differences such as autism/Asperger's, nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD), and sensory processing disorder, with an emphasis on social-skills and special-needs education.
For nearly three decades, the Lee Pesky Learning Center has helped Boise-area students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities through one-on-one academic intervention, counseling, coaching, and educator training — a flagship Idaho resource that isn't a traditional school but anchors specialized learning support.
A searchable directory for comparing Boise-area private and special-education school options by location, grades, and program — useful if you're seeking a specialized private placement.
Highly regarded nonprofit specializing in learning differences (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD). Provides comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations, one-on-one academic intervention and coaching, counseling, and educator professional development, all rooted in evidence-based practice. An outpatient specialized center (not a full-time school) but a cornerstone Treasure Valley resource for diagnosis and remediation, with financial assistance available.
BHCOE-accredited ABA therapy provider for autistic children and families, offering center-based, home-based, school-based, and community-based services with a child-led, play-based, family-focused model. Full BHCOE accreditation since 2022 signals rigorous, evidence-based quality standards in applied behavior analysis.
BHCOE-accredited applied behavior analysis provider serving autistic children across Ada and Canyon Counties. Offers one-on-one center-based, home-based, and school-based ABA focused on behavior, communication, and social skills, with caregiver training, school coordination, and bilingual (English/Spanish) providers.
BHCOE-accredited center-based ABA therapy provider in the Meridian/Treasure Valley area (within ~20 miles of Boise) serving children with autism. Evaluated against the BHCOE Standards of Excellence in ABA Therapy, indicating verified clinical quality and outcomes-focused, individualized programming.
Public-school specialized program within the Boise School District for K-12 students with autism who need a high degree of structure. Provides individual and small-group instruction in pre-academic, academic, functional, communication, social, behavioral, and independent-living skills, delivered by certified special-education staff as part of a full continuum of LRE placements. Available at no cost to district families through the IEP process.
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.
Idaho's flagship district offers a full continuum of special-education and related services, including Structured Learning Centers (SLC) for students with autism and significant support needs, plus speech, OT, and PT. Programs change year to year; confirm current placements with the district.
Idaho's largest district (35,000+ students, Meridian/Eagle/Star/Kuna) runs special-education and early-childhood special-education programs across its schools, with autism and behavioral supports. Programs change year to year; confirm current offerings with the district.
Licensed psychologists providing pediatric neuropsychological evaluations to understand a child's learning, behavior, and brain-based functioning; serves individuals age 2 and up.
Dr. Eisenbeiss, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist, focuses his practice on psychological and neuropsychological testing for autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia) for children, teens, and adults.
Dr. Rusty Smith, a licensed psychologist, provides ADHD, autism-spectrum, psychoeducational/dyslexia, and intellectual-developmental-disability testing across the lifespan.
Provides comprehensive diagnostic neuropsychological and psychological testing for children, youth, and adults, including autism and learning-disability assessment.
Boise psychologist offering counseling and psychological testing for ADHD and mild autism spectrum for adults, children, and families.
St. Luke's Children's in Boise runs developmental pediatrics and a neuro- and behavioral-psychology clinic evaluating autism, ADHD, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and learning challenges — the Treasure Valley's leading hospital-based diagnostic home.
The Lee Pesky Learning Center (Boise) provides comprehensive evaluations for dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other learning differences — a nearly 30-year nonprofit whose assessments come paired with intervention recommendations you can actually use at the IEP table.
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 Treasure Valley, instead of trusting star ratings.
Founder Esther Hamm holds Orton-Gillingham Association (Associate) and Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist credentials with 20+ years' experience, providing explicit, multisensory, individualized dyslexia instruction.
Lee Pesky provides evidence-based, structured-literacy reading intervention for students with dyslexia and even trains Idaho educators on dyslexia — a research-driven nonprofit and the strongest first stop for reading help in the Treasure Valley.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham and the Academic Language Therapy Association list accredited O-G practitioners and CALTs across the Treasure Valley — searchable near Boise, Meridian, or Nampa. The gold-standard credentials for a private dyslexia tutor.
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.
Center-based ABA therapy delivered by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) with specialized autism training. Works with major insurers and collaborates with the West Ada district on school transitions.
Meridian pediatric clinic providing occupational and speech therapy for children, with licensed occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists addressing sensory, motor, feeding, and communication challenges.
Pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy since 2012 in a large sensory-motor gym; serves children birth–18 and accepts Medicaid and most major insurance.
Founded by Kari Thompson, a doctorate-level OT with AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics and Certified Autism Specialist; provides occupational therapy, speech, autism-specialist, and feeding services.
Owner Dr. Chad Hilmo is a doctorate-level OT, SIPT-certified and a Certified Autism Specialist; clinic provides pediatric speech and occupational therapy across the Treasure Valley.
Pediatric speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy serving Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and the wider Treasure Valley.
Pediatric therapy clinic and learning academy offering speech-language, occupational, physical, feeding, and social-skills services with Boise and Nampa locations.
Center-based autism diagnostic evaluations and one-to-one ABA therapy for young children, with caregiver collaboration; serves children from 12 months.
Boise ABA provider led by BCBA-D and BCBA founders, offering comprehensive and focused Applied Behavior Analysis for children with autism across the Treasure Valley.
BCBA-led ABA therapy (center-, home-, and school-based) for children across Ada and Canyon Counties, with English- and Spanish-speaking providers.
Founded in 2010 by Dr. Rosa Patterson (PsyD, BCBA), ABSI provides 1:1 Applied Behavior Analysis in home, school, and community settings and via telehealth, from age 2 through adulthood.
Sondra McMindes owns Children's Therapy Place in Boise, providing speech-language, occupational, physical, and developmental evaluation and therapy for children of all ages — a named-owner, multidisciplinary pediatric clinic.
Rian Chatterton, SLP, owns the Boise Speech and Hearing Clinic, with specialized experience in autism spectrum disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and orofacial myofunctional disorders — a named, experienced clinician leading the practice since 2013.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across the Treasure Valley (including AIM Behavior Services–Boise), ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Meridian, Nampa, or Eagle find the nearest.
St. Luke's Children's developmental pediatrics specialists diagnose and help manage autism, ADHD, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and learning challenges in Boise — the Treasure Valley's main hospital-based developmental program.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians across the Treasure Valley — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Advocacy practice led by former special-education teachers and BCBAs serving Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell — assessments, document review, and IEP-meeting attendance to secure the right programs and accommodations.
Certified Elder Law Attorney and partner serving all of Idaho, with a practice that includes special-needs planning for families of children with disabilities.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the Boise area — the field's real professional standard.
IPUL's trained parent specialists help Idaho families prepare for and understand IEP meetings at no cost — a respected, statewide free alternative to hiring a private advocate first.
Idaho'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.
Idaho State University runs the state's only accredited speech-language pathology program and operates a Meridian clinic (Treasure Valley) providing low-cost speech and language evaluation and therapy by supervised graduate clinicians — one of the area's best-value options.
For children birth to 3, the Idaho Infant Toddler Program provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention services — the earliest, no-barrier place to start in Idaho.
Idaho Legal Aid Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across the Treasure Valley — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
IPUL offers free workshops, self-guided trainings, and one-on-one parent support across Idaho — a rich free resource for families learning their rights and navigating the system.
Idaho's Infant Toddler Program (through Health & Welfare) coordinates free early-intervention services — family education, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and service coordination — for children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or qualifying condition, at no cost to families. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
IPUL is Idaho's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, early intervention, and meetings, with self-guided trainings for families. A great first call.
Idaho'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 Idaho families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Idaho'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 Boise?
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 Boise?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Idaho — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.