Washington, DC has real, credentialed help for kids with special needs — from nationally known special-education schools like The Lab School of Washington, The Siena School, and Kingsbury, to Children’s National for evaluations, plus your free front door: DC Strong Start (Early Intervention, birth–3) and a free special-education evaluation from DCPS or your charter LEA for ages 3+. This is DC’s own directory of the best, most relevant help — named schools and providers, ranked by real credentials (OSSE/COMAR approval, accreditation, ABPP, BHCOE, CCC-SLP, COPAA), never by reviews or who pays. Bilingual families: services and notices must be offered in Spanish. Start with the schools below, then evaluators, therapists, doctors, and advocates — and our free guides help you build your plan.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
Independent K-12 day school in DC for bright students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. Renowned arts-integrated, multisensory approach; OSSE-approved nonpublic placement serving DC students with IEPs.
DC day school specializing in young children with hearing loss and language/communication needs, using a co-teaching model with speech-language pathologists in every classroom. OSSE-approved nonpublic placement.
Full-time, ungraded special education public charter school serving DC students ages 3-22 with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities. Tuition-free placement with certified special educators and integrated therapeutic services.
Independent day school for bright, college-bound students grades 3-12 with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. Research-based multisensory instruction; Middle States accredited. Silver Spring is the flagship DMV campus serving the DC region.
Maryland nonpublic day school (preschool-grade 12) serving students with language and learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. Operated by Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC) with certified special educators and on-site therapies.
Nonsectarian nonpublic special education day school serving students ages 4-21 with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and speech-language impairments throughout the DC metro area. Innovative, individualized programs with integrated therapeutic and behavioral services.
Independent day school offering a specialized program for intellectually engaged students with social and communication challenges (including autism spectrum and related profiles), K-8 at the Silver Spring campus. Small classes, embedded social-skills and therapeutic supports.
Maryland nonpublic day school (K-8) for students with learning, attention, and developmental differences. Evidence-based small-group instruction with occupational and speech-language therapy infused in the classroom. Approved nonpublic placement serving the DC region.
For 45+ years a Maryland nonpublic day school (grades 5-12) for students with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD, with a college-prep focus. Approved nonpublic placement serving DC, Maryland, and the broader region.
Maryland nonpublic therapeutic day school for students with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and co-occurring mental health needs. Operated by Sheppard Pratt with certified special educators and integrated clinical/therapeutic services.
Nonpublic special education day school (ages 7-21) for students with mild-to-severe autism spectrum disorders requiring a highly individualized program. Small classes, high staff ratios, and integrated clinical supports from the nationally recognized Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Therapeutic private day school (ages 6-21) for students with emotional disabilities, developmental disabilities, language disorders, and specific learning disabilities. Operating 60+ years; Virginia-licensed and OSSE-approved nonpublic placement serving DC and Northern Virginia.
DCPS provides free special-education evaluation and services across the District through the IEP process, including specialized programs for autism, emotional, and multiple disabilities. Request an evaluation in writing.
Most DC charters are their own special-education LEAs. The PCSB site helps you find charter schools and understand each one's special-education obligations and enrollment.
The region's major children's hospital provides comprehensive neuropsychological and developmental evaluations for autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Bills medical insurance + Medicaid; ask your pediatrician for a referral.
The American Board of Professional Psychology lists clinicians who passed board certification in clinical neuropsychology — the credential to verify in any private evaluator serving DC, instead of trusting star ratings.
IDA's DC Capital Area branch lists accredited, structured-literacy (Orton-Gillingham-based) providers and resources for dyslexia across the District — the credential to look for in any reading specialist.
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.
Children's National provides pediatric speech-language, occupational, and behavioral therapy with credentialed clinicians across DC-area locations.
For ABA verify a BCBA-led, BHCOE-accredited provider; ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists and AOTA lists OTR-L occupational therapists — search by DC ZIP for the nearest credentialed clinician.
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians at Children's National diagnose and manage autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns — the medical home for a formal diagnosis in the District.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving DC — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
AJE is DC's free, federally funded Parent Training & Information Center — help understanding your rights, evaluations, IEP/504 meetings, and the process, with bilingual support. A great first call.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving DC — the field's real professional standard.
DC's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency offers free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied.
DC's free Early Intervention program evaluates and serves children under 3 with developmental delays — speech, OT, PT, and developmental services at no cost. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Children's Law Center provides free legal help to DC children and families, including special-education matters, for those who qualify.
Graduate training clinics at George Washington University and Gallaudet University offer low-cost speech-language evaluation and therapy supervised by CCC-SLP faculty — an affordable, credentialed DC option.
If your child under 3 may be behind, DC Strong Start provides a free developmental evaluation and early-intervention services. Don't wait — earlier is better.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from DCPS or your child's charter LEA. By law (IDEA / DC rules) they must respond and evaluate — this is the free legal route to an IEP. Put it in writing and keep a copy.
AJE helps DC families understand evaluations, IEP/504 meetings, and their rights — free and bilingual.
Federally funded and free — AJE helps DC families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
DC's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
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