Dallas has Children's Health and UT Southwestern, one of the country's largest learning-differences schools, and the renowned Scottish Rite dyslexia program — the hard part is knowing which help is genuinely excellent and how to reach the free options first. This is Dallas'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 Texas 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 →
Long-standing (since 1965) school for students with diagnosed learning differences, offering small structured classes through grade 12. Cognia-accredited college-preparatory program.
Specialized school for dyslexic students using Alphabetic Phonics, an Orton-Gillingham-based curriculum delivered by Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs).
Educates twice-exceptional students with dyslexia and related learning differences through a structured, multisensory (Orton-Gillingham-based) approach.
Nonprofit private school serving children and adults with moderate-to-severe developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and neurological disorders.
A nonprofit college-preparatory school for students with diagnosed learning differences — dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory-processing disorder, and ADHD — using a multisensory approach with a 3:1 ratio.
A Dallas school with a structured, multisensory program for bright students with diagnosed learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), ADD/ADHD, ASD level 1, and memory/processing disorders.
A Dallas school for children with learning differences, speech-language deficits, sensory needs, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorder, from preschool through high school.
A private therapeutic DFW school (grades 3–12) for neurodivergent students — autism, ADHD, specific learning disabilities, anxiety — with individualized academics, social-skills training, and on-site counseling.
Shelton is the nation's largest independent school for bright students with learning differences — dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD — with its own Evaluation Center that builds a full learning/behavioral/psychological profile.
A Dallas PK–12 college-preparatory school empowering bright students with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning differences to thrive — individualized, strengths-based instruction.
A Dallas school dedicated to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities — academic, vocational, and life-skills education that fosters growth and community integration.
A Dallas school offering a highly individualized, therapeutic learning environment for students across the autism spectrum and with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
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.
Free public program serving 600+ Deaf and hard-of-hearing students across Dallas ISD and surrounding districts, with a full continuum of services taught by certified teachers of the deaf. Programs vary year to year.
Free public Deaf-education program (birth–21) serving Plano ISD and 13 member districts, offering both auditory/oral and total-communication tracks on centralized campuses with certified teachers of the deaf. Programs vary year to year.
Established Dallas practice led by licensed psychologists providing comprehensive psychological evaluation and testing for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
University-based clinic offering comprehensive autism assessments for children ages 12 months to 18 years, conducted under licensed-psychologist supervision.
Child-psychology center specializing in early diagnosis and intervention for neurodevelopmental and learning disabilities including autism, ADHD, anxiety, and dyslexia.
A Dallas neuropsychology practice with board-certified clinical neuropsychologists (Yuka Cohen, PsyD, ABPP-CN; Yelena Goldin Frazier, PhD, ABPP-CN) offering pediatric and adult neuropsychological and psychological evaluations.
A North Dallas board-certified clinical neuropsychologist providing comprehensive evaluations of children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges (learning disabilities, ADHD, autism).
Children's Health (with UT Southwestern) has multiple board-certified pediatric neuropsychologists — Lana Harder, PhD, ABPP (Chief); Veronica Bordes Edgar, PhD, ABPP; and Alice Ann Holland, PhD, ABPP — who write school-ready recommendations grounded in special-education law.
A Dallas private practice led by Alice Ann Holland, PhD, ABPP (a Children's Medical Center-trained pediatric neuropsychologist) — comprehensive 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 North Texas dyslexia-therapy practice staffed by Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) and Certified Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialists, delivering one-to-one structured-literacy intervention (Take Flight, Barton).
The Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia & Learning Disorders developed the research-validated 'Take Flight' curriculum — evaluations, treatment, and therapist training, with financial assistance available. A nationally renowned Dallas dyslexia resource.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across Dallas — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, verified by training rather than advertising.
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, with Dallas locations including Preston Forest and Lakewood.
Evidence-based ABA therapy delivered by board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and registered behavior technicians, with age-banded early-intervention and school-age programs.
Clinician-owned private practice providing speech, feeding, myofunctional, occupational, physical, and dyslexia therapy by licensed/certified therapists, serving the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy delivered by licensed therapists across DFW clinics (Carrollton, Denton, Prosper, Wylie).
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider serving the Dallas area (Plano center) — research-based applied behavior analysis for autistic children.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider with multiple Dallas centers — evidence-based applied behavior analysis, autism evaluation support, and school-readiness programs for young children.
A locally owned Dallas center offering ABA therapy, speech and occupational therapy, and an accredited Pre-K–3rd academy for children with autism and related disabilities.
A pediatric therapy practice serving the Dallas area with occupational and speech therapy, sensory integration, and teletherapy for children.
A long-established DFW pediatric speech, occupational, and feeding-therapy provider with multiple area locations and 20+ years serving local families.
A Dallas-Fort Worth pediatric therapy practice for children ages 0–21, specializing in speech, occupational, feeding, autism, and sensory support.
A BHCOE-accredited Dallas ABA provider for children with autism and related disorders — accredited for clinical quality, not chosen by ad spend.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider serving the Dallas area (Plano center) — research-based applied behavior analysis for autistic children.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across Dallas (such as Rainbow ABA and Action Behavior Centers) — 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.
Cook Children's developmental and behavioral pediatricians (Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health / Child Study Center) focus entirely on diagnosing and treating children with developmental and behavioral disorders.
UT Southwestern's Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Children's Medical Center Dallas — Medical Director Sari Bar, DO — diagnoses and treats autism, ADHD, developmental delay, and learning/behavior concerns.
Children's Health's Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic pairs developmental pediatricians with neuropsychologists (e.g. Veronica Bordes Edgar, PhD, ABPP) for integrated diagnosis and care of neurodevelopmental conditions.
A DFW special-education attorney and former Texas Education Agency special-education hearing officer/mediator (12 years) who represents families in due-process hearings and mediation across Texas.
A Dallas-Fort Worth special-education advocacy group (COPAA-trained advocates) offering IEP/ARD preparation, 504 and ARD meeting attendance, and review of existing IEPs.
A Texas special-education advocate (M.Ed.) providing parent education on the IEP/ARD/504 process, documentation review with recommendations, and meeting attendance alongside parents.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving Dallas — the field's real professional standard.
A Dallas-area firm with a strong special-education and disability-rights practice (IDEA, Section 504, ADA) — notable for a Fifth Circuit win requiring a district to educate an autistic student in the least restrictive environment.
A Dallas special-education, ADHD, and autism advocate offering personalized IEP/ARD support, meeting attendance, and school collaboration for families.
UT Dallas's Callier Center has served children with speech, language, and hearing disorders for 50+ years — reduced-cost and sliding-scale options, with the Callier Care Fund ensuring access regardless of income or insurance.
Metrocare is Dallas County's largest provider of mental-health and IDD/autism services — low-cost and public-funded supports for children with developmental disabilities and their families.
For children birth to 3, Texas ECI provides developmental evaluations and therapies on a sliding scale — the earliest, no-barrier place to start, with no child turned away for inability to pay.
For children birth to 3, Texas ECI provides developmental evaluations and therapies (speech, OT, PT, developmental) on a sliding scale — no child is turned away for inability to pay. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Texas's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free legal information, a special-education helpline, and representation when a child's 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. 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.
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How do I start the special-education process in Dallas?
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 Dallas?
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.