Longview and the Piney Woods of East Texas — Gregg and Harrison counties, including Kilgore, Marshall, Hallsville, and the surrounding towns — has real, credentialed help for kids with special needs, anchored by CHRISTUS Good Shepherd pediatrics and the Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore, with Scottish Rite for Children and the academic centers in Dallas and Tyler within reach. Your local districts — Longview ISD, Pine Tree ISD, Hallsville ISD, and Spring Hill ISD — each run special education. This is East Texas's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help — named experts and clinics where we can verify them, ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, CALT/Take Flight, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification), never by reviews or who pays. In Texas your free front door is Early Childhood Intervention (ECI, birth–3) and your school district's evaluation (FIE) and IEP/ARD for ages 3+. Bilingual families: Partners Resource Network offers free help in Spanish. Start there, then the best evaluators, schools, reading specialists, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
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The only private special-education school in East Texas named to the state's top-special-education list; serves bright students with learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, twice-exceptional) in classes capped near eight students. Accredited by Cognia (formerly SACS CASI/AdvancED).
The Austen-Coley Dyslexia Program serves students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and related processing differences with a dedicated specialist while keeping them integrated in mainstream classes; the Mosaic Program supports diagnosed learning differences including ADHD and autism. Requires a documented diagnosis from a public school or private agency.
Episcopal PK-12 college-preparatory school (6:1 student-teacher ratio, 100% college attendance) with a Director of Student Learning and Instructional Support providing learning accommodations. Accredited by Cognia and the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools; member NAES and Texas Association of Accredited Private Schools.
Longview ISD serves students ages 3 to 21 with specialized special-education programs — autism support, behavior, and life-skills units — within an inclusion model. Pine Tree ISD, Hallsville ISD, and Spring Hill ISD run their own as well. In East Texas the strongest specialized placements are most often within the public districts; insist on the right program through the ARD/IEP process.
Region 7 ESC in Kilgore supports special education, dyslexia, and autism services across the East Texas districts that serve Longview families — including staff training and technical assistance. A knowledgeable regional partner that can point families toward the right program and the district's obligations.
Partners Resource Network, Texas's Parent Training and Information Center (PATH serves East Texas), offers free help weighing options and pushing for the right program through the ARD/IEP process — with bilingual staff for Spanish-speaking families. Invaluable when you're not sure what to ask for.
Fully Cognia-accredited private day school for students with language-based learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorder, ADHD), grades 1-11. Staff trained in the structured-literacy 'Shelton Way' multisensory methodology with a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Tyler, about 35 miles from Longview.
Texas open-enrollment public charter district (PK-12) in Tyler with a dedicated special education department providing specialized programs and related services for students with disabilities, including autism. Tuition-free public option about 35 miles from Longview; structured, small-setting environment.
ACSI-accredited (TEA-recognized) school whose Austen-Coley Dyslexia Program, launched in partnership with the Austen-Coley School for Dyslexia, provides dedicated dyslexia specialists and structured-literacy support for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia and related processing issues while keeping them integrated in mainstream classrooms. An in-town Longview option for families wanting a credentialed dyslexia program within a general school.
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.
District special-education department serving eligible students with disabilities ages 3-22 under IDEA, including evaluation, IEPs and related services. Programs change year to year—confirm current placements and offerings with the district.
Special-programs department covering special education, dyslexia intervention, Early Childhood and 504 services for eligible students. Program availability changes year to year—verify current services with the district.
Established East Texas district (Harrison County, Longview metro) providing special-education evaluation and services for eligible students under IDEA. Programs change year to year—confirm current offerings with the district.
Small, highly rated Longview-area district offering special-education and dyslexia services for eligible students under IDEA. Programs and placements change year to year—verify directly with the district.
Dr. Sarah Kranz, PhD, licensed psychologist, leads a practice providing autism, ADHD, learning-disability and neuropsychological evaluations, typically scheduling autism evaluations within about a month. Staff include an Advanced Certified Autism Specialist; accepts most insurance and Medicaid.
Dr. Barbara Modisette (LPC-S, LSSP, ABSNP) provides testing for dyslexia, autism, ADHD and emotional/learning disabilities plus neuropsychological evaluation. Member of the American Board of School Neuropsychology and state/national school-psychology associations.
CHRISTUS Good Shepherd / CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Longview provides pediatric care and accepts prior diagnostic testing (neuropsychological testing, developmental-pediatrics evaluation, MRI, EEG, genetic testing) for autism workups — a local medical starting point and referral hub. Note wait times can run six months or more, so request your district FIE in parallel.
For complex autism, ADHD, and developmental diagnoses, the academic centers a short drive west — UT Tyler Health in Tyler and the children's hospitals and pediatric neuropsychology practices in Dallas — are the region's deeper diagnostic resource when a local workup needs more. The academic referral for complicated cases.
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 East Texas, instead of trusting star ratings.
Texas law requires districts to screen students for dyslexia (kindergarten and grade 1) and provide evidence-based, multisensory, structured-literacy intervention under the state Dyslexia Handbook — most East Texas districts use Take Flight, written at Scottish Rite. Longview ISD, Pine Tree, Hallsville, and Spring Hill must offer this free — request dyslexia screening and services in writing, and know your rights before paying for private tutoring.
The Academic Language Therapy Association lists Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs) — the rigorous Texas dyslexia credential (700+ supervised clinical hours, national registration exam). Search for a CALT near Longview who delivers Take Flight or another Orton-Gillingham-based program. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia therapist, instead of trusting ads.
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.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst-supervised ABA therapy delivered in clinic and in-home across the Tyler-Longview area including Kilgore, Marshall and Lindale. Individualized behavior programs for children with autism.
Pediatric rehabilitation clinic providing licensed physical, occupational and speech therapy for children, part of the multi-state H2 Health group.
Behavioral Innovations operates a Longview autism center providing BCBA-led applied behavior analysis with Registered Behavior Technicians, accepting most major insurance including TRICARE — an established credentialed ABA provider for Gregg County (Unlocking The Spectrum and Autism Response Team also serve the Longview/Tyler area). Ask about BHCOE accreditation.
Beyond Speech Therapy serves Longview, Carthage, and Gilmer with CCC-SLP speech-language therapy and occupational therapy, and H2 Health Kids in Longview provides pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy — credentialed local clinics for children with autism, sensory processing differences, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
For the youngest children, Community Healthcore's ECI program delivers speech, occupational, and physical therapy plus specialized skills training as part of its early-intervention services — a coordinated, low/no-cost option for under-3s in Gregg and Harrison counties.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across East Texas, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Longview, Kilgore, Marshall, or Hallsville find the nearest credentialed clinician.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Pediatrics in Longview provides pediatric care and is a strong local medical starting point for developmental concerns and referrals — pediatricians can begin an ADHD or developmental workup, with the academic centers in Tyler and Dallas as the referral for complex autism and developmental diagnoses.
The Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia and Learning Disorders at Scottish Rite for Children (Dallas) — authors of the Take Flight curriculum used across East Texas — is the region's academic home for evaluating and treating dyslexia and related learning disorders, a referral for complicated reading and learning cases.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving East Texas — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving East Texas — the field's real professional standard.
Partners Resource Network is Texas's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, evaluations, and the ARD/IEP process, with bilingual staff for Spanish-speaking families. A respected statewide free resource before hiring a private advocate.
Texas'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.
For children birth to 3, Community Healthcore provides developmental evaluations and multidisciplinary early-intervention therapies on a sliding scale (no family is turned away for inability to pay) — the earliest, lowest-barrier place to start in Gregg and Harrison counties.
Region 7 ESC supports the East Texas districts on special education and dyslexia — a free regional resource that can help families understand what their district must provide and where to turn next.
Texas's protection & advocacy agency provides free legal information and representation for special-education disputes — a major no-cost path to enforcing your child's rights before paying an attorney.
Partners Resource Network offers free help understanding evaluations, IEPs, the ARD process, and your rights — with bilingual support — a no-cost first call for any East Texas family navigating special education.
For children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or disability, Community Healthcore — the local Texas ECI provider for Gregg, Harrison, and the surrounding counties — offers free evaluation and multidisciplinary early intervention: speech, occupational, and physical therapy, specialized skills training, and family service coordination. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from your district — Longview ISD, Pine Tree ISD, Hallsville ISD, or Spring Hill ISD. In Texas the district must complete the Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) within 45 school days of your written consent, then hold an ARD (Admission, Review & Dismissal) committee meeting within 30 calendar days to write the IEP. This is the free legal route to an IEP under IDEA.
Texas'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 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 Longview?
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 Longview?
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.