Metro Denver — Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Boulder, Centennial — has Children's Hospital Colorado and CU Anschutz's JFK Partners, nationally known learning-differences schools, and a free university speech clinic. The hard part is knowing which help is genuinely excellent and how to reach the free options first. This is metro Denver'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 Colorado 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 →
Nonprofit private school (grades 2-8) for students with dyslexia and other reading or language-based disabilities, using Yoshimoto Orton-Gillingham and thinkSRSD structured-literacy methods. Often ranked among Colorado's top special-education schools.
Private strengths-based middle and high school for neurodivergent students, including those with autism, language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional profiles, with a roughly 1:3 staff-to-student ratio.
Long-running nonprofit inclusive preschool and early-childhood center serving children with and without disabilities side by side, with integrated therapy supports and two teachers per classroom.
Nonprofit inclusive early-education program for young children with and without developmental disabilities, delivering transdisciplinary therapy (speech, OT, PT) embedded in the classroom.
K-12 private school for students with learning, emotional or other special needs, accredited through the National Commission on Exceptional Schools, with class sizes of 4-6 students.
Private nonprofit center for children and young adults with autism and developmental disabilities, with highly individualized, evidence-based programs at Englewood, Centennial, and Boulder campuses.
Fully accredited K-12 school and day-treatment program (serving since 1904) for children who have experienced trauma, neglect, and abuse, integrating social-emotional, behavioral, and academic learning.
Fully accredited (Cognia) one-to-one and small-group private school for students with learning, social, or emotional differences, with fully personalized instruction.
Denver Academy teaches students in grades 1–12 who learn differently — dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences — with small classes and individualized, evidence-based instruction in a long-established program.
For nearly six decades, Havern School (Littleton) has taught K–8 neurodiverse learners with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia — Orton-Gillingham and Wilson structured literacy, integrated OT and speech, and a 4:1 student-to-staff ratio.
The Joshua School serves children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities at its Denver and Englewood campuses — highly individualized, evidence-based programs.
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.
Colorado's largest district runs center-based autism and affective-needs classrooms across multiple campuses (including Edison Elementary's multi-intensive autism program) with specialized staff. Programs and sites change year to year—confirm current placements with the district.
Highly regarded suburban district with structured autism programs across a continuum from self-contained to full inclusion, backed by a district Autism and Severe Needs Support Team of specialists. Offerings vary by year—verify with the district.
Operates Intensive Learning Center (ILC) autism programs with teachers trained in autism, added speech and OT time, and each program supported by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Program availability changes year to year—confirm with the district.
Large south-metro district with a dedicated dyslexia program and structured-literacy supports alongside its broader special-education continuum. Specific programs shift year to year—verify current offerings with the district.
University of Colorado's federally designated developmental-disabilities center offering interdisciplinary autism and developmental assessment plus clinician training. Strong academic credentials.
Private neuropsychology practice with two ABPP-CN board-certified clinical neuropsychologists plus pediatric specialists; comprehensive and independent educational evaluations for ADHD, dyslexia, learning disorders, and autism.
Practice of clinical neuropsychologists providing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children, teens, and adults across the Denver metro.
Denver child psychology team providing diagnostic evaluations for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and learning disabilities, plus therapy and executive-functioning coaching.
Denver practice led by a licensed clinical psychologist and a psychologist/BCBA, offering psychological, neuropsychological, autism, and learning/educational evaluations plus school consultation.
Two licensed clinical psychologists (PsyD; one also a BCBA) specializing in autism, ADHD, cognitive/IQ, and adaptive evaluations for children and adults.
Denver developmental-psychology team focused on psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents — autism, ADHD, cognitive, and gifted assessment.
DU training clinic evaluating children, teens, and emerging adults for dyslexia, learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism, with sliding-scale and free options for qualifying low-income families.
Children's Hospital Colorado's pediatric neuropsychology team includes Gretchen Berrios-Siervo, PsyD, ABPP/CN and Christa Hutaff-Lee, PhD, ABPP/CN (CU Anschutz) — comprehensive evaluations of learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism within a top children's hospital.
Michael Kirkwood, PhD, ABPP, a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and CU School of Medicine professor, directs Rehabilitation Psychology & Neuropsychology at Children's Hospital Colorado — assessing memory, attention, executive function, and academic skills.
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.
One-on-one dyslexia and reading intervention using structured-literacy methods (Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton), plus assessment, summer programs, and on-campus or virtual delivery.
One-to-one dyslexia therapy from Wilson-certified practitioners and therapists using Orton-Gillingham-based structured literacy, plus evaluations and parent classes.
Evidence-based literacy assessment and intervention grounded in Orton-Gillingham; founder holds a PhD from Oxford and is IDA-recognized as a highly qualified dyslexia provider.
Denver dyslexia tutoring using the Orton-Gillingham approach with credentialed specialists, plus educational assessments and executive-function coaching, in-person and online.
Joanna Brown, founder of The Reading Guru, is a master Orton-Gillingham reading tutor with 15+ years of experience, certified by the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist (C-SLDS) — a named, top-credentialed Denver dyslexia specialist (her team also includes ALTA-certified CALTs).
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across metro Denver — 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.
Pediatric therapy center providing occupational, speech, feeding and physical therapy, including intensive-model programs, with licensed OTR/L and CCC-SLP clinicians.
Denver-metro speech-language and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults, with credentialed CCC-SLP and OTR/L clinicians and in-person and telehealth options.
Center- and home-based ABA therapy delivered by Registered Behavior Technicians under Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) supervision, with individualized treatment plans.
Provides 1:1 Orton-Gillingham reading and dyslexia intervention from certified specialists across the north Denver metro and Boulder County, plus math support.
BHCOE-accredited ABA provider serving metro Denver, offering autism diagnostic evaluations and in-home applied behavior analysis.
BHCOE-accredited autism therapy centers (Aurora and Englewood) offering interdisciplinary ABA alongside speech, occupational, and feeding therapy under one roof.
BHCOE-accredited ABA provider delivering applied behavior analysis for children with autism in the Denver metro.
Pediatric therapy group offering coordinated ABA, speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy across Lakewood and Greenwood Village locations.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider serving metro Denver — autism diagnostic evaluations and in-home applied behavior analysis, accredited for clinical quality rather than chosen by ad spend.
A BHCOE-accredited autism therapy provider with Aurora and Englewood centers offering interdisciplinary ABA alongside speech, occupational, and feeding therapy — coordinated care under one roof.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across metro Denver (including Behavior Frontiers and Action Behavior Centers in Aurora and Wheat Ridge) — the real quality bar.
Laura Biegner, M.A., CCC-SLP and Associates have provided comprehensive pediatric speech-language therapy in the Arvada / northwest Denver area for 26+ years — a named, long-established standout for speech, language, and stuttering on the west side of the metro.
A Denver-area pediatric therapy group whose clinicians hold M.A. CCC-SLP and M.S. OTR/L credentials — coordinated speech, occupational, feeding, behavioral, and early-intervention therapy under one roof.
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 metro Denver.
University of Colorado faculty practice of developmental-behavioral pediatricians treating intellectual disability, ADHD, learning disorders, and autism in children with special health-care needs.
Small concierge-style practice led by a pediatrician with 25+ years diagnosing and treating ADHD in children and adolescents.
Children's Hospital Colorado's Developmental Pediatrics — merged with CU's JFK Partners, a federally designated University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities — diagnoses and treats autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and developmental delay with an integrated team.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians in metro Denver — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Colorado firm specializing in education cases — IEPs and 504 plans, private placements, mediations, administrative hearings, and state/federal court.
Education-law firm (attorney Igor Raykin, a former teacher and school dean) handling special education, 504 plans, and school-discipline matters; Spanish and Russian services available.
Founded by Tena Green, a former Colorado Department of Education IEP facilitator and parent, providing IEP/FIEP facilitation and special-education advocacy for families.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving metro Denver — the field's real professional standard.
Lindsay N. Brown and her team of advocates help Colorado families navigate the federal, state, and administrative laws governing a child's rights under IDEA, Section 504, and Colorado's ECEA.
AdvocacyDenver's Center for Special Education Law offers legal representation to parents of children with disabilities in the special-education system — available to any Colorado parent, even outside Denver County.
Metropolitan State University of Denver's clinic provides free speech-language and swallowing evaluations and treatment — from early intervention (birth–3) onward — delivered by supervised graduate clinicians.
The CU Boulder Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic offers low-cost speech, language, and audiology services to children across Colorado, provided by graduate students under ASHA-certified supervisors — including its Child Learning Center.
For children birth to 3, Early Intervention Colorado provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3, Early Intervention Colorado provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention services (speech, OT, PT, developmental). The earliest, no-barrier place to start if you have any concern about your baby or toddler.
Colorado'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.
Colorado'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 Colorado families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Colorado'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 Denver?
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 Denver?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Colorado — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.