Metro Detroit — Detroit, Dearborn, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, Sterling Heights, Royal Oak — has Children's Hospital of Michigan and Corewell Health (Beaumont), a renowned learning-differences school, and a low-cost university clinic. The hard part is knowing which help is genuinely excellent and how to reach the free options first. This is metro Detroit'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 Michigan 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 →
One of the nation's oldest special-education organizations (founded 1873 in Detroit as the Lutheran School for the Deaf), placing certified resource-room teachers and providing special-education consultation and professional development across partner schools throughout metro Detroit and Michigan.
Tuition-based private school in Farmington Hills offering a smaller, less-overwhelming alternative for students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other social/learning needs, focused on academics, wellness, and life skills.
Detroit Public Schools center-based program for students ages 3-13 with autism spectrum disorder and moderate/severe/severe-multiple cognitive impairments, with on-site OT, PT, speech, social work, psychology, and nursing.
Long-standing metro Detroit nonprofit offering autism diagnostic assessment by BCBAs, ABA therapy, and the Bridges to Success program for teens and young adults with ASD.
For nearly four decades, Eton Academy (Birmingham) has taught K–12 students who learn differently — ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, executive-function challenges, mild ASD — with classes of 10 or fewer and the personalized 'Eton Approach.'
Metro Parent's guide to metro Detroit special-education schools is a helpful, current way to compare local programs for dyslexia, autism, and learning differences beyond Eton.
Bridges4Kids is a long-running Michigan resource hub for special education, IEPs, 504s, mediation, and disability supports — a verified way to find schools and services across metro Detroit.
Independent K-12 day school built specifically for students who learn differently (dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, executive-function challenges, mild ASD, twice-exceptional). Nearly four decades old, max class size 10, 5:1 student-teacher ratio, and the proprietary Eton Approach (an IEP-style personalized system). 100% graduation rate, 93%+ to college. In the league of Siena/Katherine Thomas.
Independent K-13 day school (with a 13th-year bridge to college/work) for students with learning differences and disabilities since 1998 - language-based LD, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, autism, anxiety/depression. Member of the International Dyslexia Association, Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan, and Autism Society of Michigan. ~40 miles from Detroit.
One of the nation's longest-running dedicated public schools for students with an autism-spectrum diagnosis, operated by Garden City Public Schools for the Wayne County Regional Educational Agency. Center-based ASD program serving ages 3-26 (K-12 at Burger Baylor plus a Transition Center) drawing from 30+ Wayne County districts. Free, IDEA/IEP-based placement.
Part of the national Children's Dyslexia Centers network, delivering one-on-one, clinical Orton-Gillingham / multisensory structured language education to children with dyslexia. Training and instruction are accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC). Free or minimal cost - a high-credential dyslexia intervention option serving metro Detroit families.
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 center-based program (K-12) operated by Garden City Public Schools for the Wayne County RESA, serving students with an autism-spectrum diagnosis drawn from roughly 18 Wayne County districts. Operating since 1973, it is one of the region's longest-running specialized autism programs. Programs change year to year; confirm current placement criteria with your district.
Free public transition program for post-secondary students ages 18-26 with autism, operated by Garden City Public Schools for the Wayne County RESA, focused on vocational, life, and independence skills. Programs change year to year; confirm eligibility through your home district.
Neuropsychology practice offering autism and learning-disability testing for children, teens, and adults across metro Detroit, including evaluations supporting transition to adulthood.
One of Michigan's leading neuropsychological testing centers; staff includes Jin Lee-Kim, PhD, ABPP, board-certified in clinical neuropsychology. Comprehensive child testing for autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia).
Dearborn psychology practice serving metro Detroit; comprehensive child evaluations using gold-standard tools (ADOS-2, ADI-R) for autism, plus ADHD, IQ, and psychoeducational/learning-disability testing.
Henry Ford's Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities uses a multidisciplinary team (pediatric neuropsychologist, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, psychiatrist, SLP) to diagnose autism, ADHD, and developmental disorders in children ages 1-18.
Corewell Health (Beaumont) Children's pediatric neuropsychology includes Maya Zayat, PsyD, ABPP-CN — comprehensive evaluations of learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism within a major Southeast Michigan health system.
Children's Hospital of Michigan (Detroit) conducts neuropsychological evaluations of children and adolescents with medical, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders — including learning disabilities 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.
Statewide 501(c)(3) (Berkley/Detroit Metro Center) providing individualized reading, spelling, writing, and math instruction using an adapted Orton-Gillingham approach, plus diagnostic testing and early intervention.
Multiple metro Detroit learning centers offering one-on-one multisensory Orton-Gillingham tutoring for struggling and dyslexic readers.
Detroit-area Orton-Gillingham tutoring (Rebecca Ealy, A/OGA) — reading assessments and one-on-one tutoring for dyslexic and struggling readers, plus early-literacy classes, in person and online.
Midtown Detroit university clinic providing low-cost speech-language evaluation and therapy for children by supervised graduate clinicians; grant funding helps under/uninsured kids.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across metro Detroit — 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.
Trusted Michigan autism therapy provider operating since 2010, delivering BCBA-supervised ABA across multiple metro clinics (Madison Heights, Farmington Hills, Clinton Township) and a member of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), which sets evidence-based quality standards.
Established ABA provider operating since 2004 with BCBA supervision and individualized care plans, with its Michigan flagship Detroit center plus clinics in Canton, Livonia, and Dearborn offering home- and center-based autism treatment.
Pediatric speech-language and occupational therapy practice with two Southeast Michigan locations, staffed by CCC-SLP speech-language pathologists and OTR/L occupational therapists (plus COTA/L assistants).
Parent-founded metro Detroit practice providing ABA, speech, and occupational therapy with a whole-child approach across two suburban clinics.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider serving Detroit — research-based applied behavior analysis for autistic children, accredited for clinical quality rather than chosen by ad spend.
A metro Detroit provider (Detroit, Dearborn, Brownstown, and more) offering ABA, speech, occupational, and physical therapy under one roof — coordinated, multidisciplinary pediatric care.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across metro Detroit (such as Emagine Health Services, Avid ABA, and GBC Autism Services in Grosse Pointe) — the real quality bar.
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.
Corewell Health (Beaumont) Children's Center for Human Development brings together developmental-behavioral pediatricians, psychologists, and therapists to diagnose and treat autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns.
Children's Hospital of Michigan (Detroit) assesses developmental, behavioral, and psychiatric health disorders in children from newborn to age 21 — diagnosis and care for autism, ADHD, and developmental delay.
Independent special-education advocate serving metro Detroit; COPAA-trained, handles IEP/504 development and review, discipline, mediation, and complaints. Free 30-minute initial consultation.
Independent Michigan special-education advocate (parent of a child with a disability) focused on collaborating with school teams, educating families on special-ed law, and securing services for students.
Law firm with Michigan special-education attorneys providing IEP/504 advocacy and legal representation — evaluations, behavior plans, manifestation determination reviews, and disputes.
Statewide nonprofit offering free special-education advocacy, a toll-free helpline (1-855-688-1916), mentoring, and parent support so every student gets needed services.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving metro Detroit — the field's real professional standard.
A Detroit special-education attorney with 40+ years protecting Michigan families' rights — autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, IEP disputes, and school discipline.
Lakeshore Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across metro Detroit — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
Wayne State's clinics (midtown Detroit) provide low-cost speech-language evaluation and therapy for children — a Children's Foundation grant funds services for underinsured or uninsured kids — delivered by supervised graduate clinicians.
A Metro Detroit nonprofit (West Bloomfield) offering free recreational, social, and support programs for children with special needs and their families — a warm community resource alongside clinical services.
For children birth to 3, Early On Michigan provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3, Early On Michigan 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.
Michigan'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.
Michigan'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 Michigan families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Michigan'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 Detroit?
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 Detroit?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Michigan — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.