From LAUSD's size and waitlists to a private placement that isn't the right fit, special education in Los Angeles can feel impossible to navigate alone. Below is a directory of the best special-education providers across L.A. — every one chosen by real credentials, and many bilingual. Then, you'll find free guides and templates to build your plan.
A great specialist across the county usually isn't practical day-to-day. Pick your region for a deeper, credential-ranked directory of the best local evaluators, schools, therapists, doctors, and advocates — each led by your free Regional Center.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
A Pasadena school (with a West LA campus) for students with complex learning differences — including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism — with individualized, research-based instruction.
One of the nation's largest nonprofits serving children with autism, learning differences, and special needs — WASC-accredited, CDE-certified nonpublic schools across several LA campuses.
A California Department of Education–certified nonpublic K–12 day school serving students with autism, severe learning disabilities, and emotional disturbance, with on-site OT, speech, and mental-health services.
A WASC-accredited nonpublic school on Vista Del Mar's Joyce & Stanley Black Family Campus, serving children ages 3–22 with autism and emotional/behavioral needs, plus on-campus autism and mental-health services.
An Encino school built for bright students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other language-based learning differences — college-prep, strengths-based, and specialized.
A Pasadena school (with a West LA campus) for students with complex learning differences — including dyslexia, ADHD, and autism — with individualized, research-based instruction.
A Studio City school built specifically for twice-exceptional students — gifted children who also have learning differences — a rare and genuine specialty.
One of the nation's largest nonprofits serving children with autism, learning differences, and special needs — multiple specialized LA campuses across a wide range of needs.
A Los Angeles neuropsychology practice led by clinicians board-certified in pediatric neuropsychology, offering neuropsychological, psychological, and psychoeducational assessments for children and adults.
UCLA's pediatric neuropsychology clinic, directed by Dr. Vindia Fernandez, PhD, ABPP-CN. Rigorous, school-ready evaluations for ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities — the kind of report that anchors a strong IEP.
CHLA's neuropsychologists (including Dr. Ashley Whitaker, PhD, ABPP-CN) provide comprehensive pediatric neuropsychological evaluations within one of the country's top children's hospitals.
A board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and UCLA clinical professor in private practice in Beverly Hills — thorough evaluations with direct, personal attention.
A learning center using intensive, research-based instruction (Seeing Stars, Visualizing & Verbalizing) for dyslexia, decoding, and comprehension — in-center one-to-one programs.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor near you.
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.
A long-running pediatric practice offering occupational therapy and speech-language therapy with its pLAy Studio sensory gym, serving children across West LA and Gardena.
An intensive pediatric therapy center offering occupational, speech, and physical therapy — including intensive-model programs — for children with autism, developmental, and motor needs.
A Westside pediatric occupational-therapy practice led by Corbin Gaucher Eastman, OTR/L, using a sensory-integration approach for children ages 0–12 across West LA, Santa Monica, and Venice.
A large nonprofit providing applied behavior analysis (ABA), behavioral health, speech, and OT for children with autism across Los Angeles County.
Medical care, ABA, speech, and occupational therapy under one roof for children with autism — a coordinated, whole-child model with LA-area locations including Glendale.
A long-running LA-area practice with licensed speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and BCBA-led ABA — multiple disciplines, one coordinated team.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists ABA providers that passed a rigorous quality review — the real bar for choosing ABA, instead of guessing from ads or stars.
Cedars-Sinai's developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate and care for children with neurodevelopmental and emotional challenges, including autism and ADHD.
Children's Hospital LA's developmental-behavioral clinic (led by Dr. Douglas Vanderbilt, Division Chief) — comprehensive diagnosis for autism, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental concerns.
Board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians at UCLA who evaluate and diagnose autism, ADHD, and developmental differences — the medical anchor for a strong IEP.
A Los Angeles disability-advocacy firm led by Meira Amster, handling the full range of special-education representation — IEP advocacy, due process, and federal litigation — plus Regional Center and IHSS matters.
A Studio City special-education attorney representing children with disabilities through IEPs, 504 meetings, due process, and Regional Center services, with 1,200+ IEP meetings handled.
Allison Hertog is one of a handful of special-education attorneys nationally who also holds a master's in special education, advocating for IEPs, accommodations, and compensatory education from a Santa Monica office.
An LA nonprofit providing free legal representation, advice, advocacy, and training to underserved families whose children with disabilities have been denied equal access to public education (ages 3–22).
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' searchable directory lists only active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys — the field's real professional standard.
An LA County special-education law firm (serving the San Gabriel Valley) handling IEP disputes, placement, mediation, and due process — and they work in English and Spanish.
UCLA's training clinic provides comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments with income-based fees — gold-standard testing well below typical private cost (ask about current sliding-scale availability).
For eligible residents, LA County DMH provides free or low-cost mental-health assessments and services — a safety net when private evaluation isn't affordable.
Federally funded and free — they help California families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
California's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
When you’re ready, an expert can review your child’s IEP and build your plan. See how it works →
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How do I start the special-education process in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in California — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.