Southern New Hampshire — Manchester, Nashua, Bedford, Londonderry, Merrimack, and the rest of Hillsborough County — has strong, credentialed help for kids with special needs, anchored by Easterseals NH and the Moore Center. Your local districts — Manchester School District (SAU 37), Nashua, Bedford, Londonderry, and Merrimack — each run special education. This is southern NH'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, Orton-Gillingham, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification), never by reviews or who pays. In New Hampshire your free front door is Family-Centered Early Supports & Services (early intervention, birth–3) and your school district's evaluation and IEP for ages 3+. Start there, then the best evaluators, schools, reading specialists, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
Specialized day school serving students (grades 3-6) diagnosed with language-based learning disabilities and dyslexia. Founder/director Renee LeCain has 25+ years in diagnostic evaluation and Orton-Gillingham, Project Read and PROMPT-trained staff focused on closing the literacy gap.
Therapeutic day school for students with autism, Asperger's, anxiety and complex learning/emotional profiles who need small, structured settings. NH DOE-approved private special-education program and New Hampshire Private Special Education Association member.
Long-standing nonprofit special-education school and treatment program for children with autism, developmental, neurological and emotional disabilities, with on-site clinical, OT/PT and speech-language services. NH DOE-approved private special-education program.
The Manchester School District (SAU 37) runs in-district specialized programs — autism support, behavior, and life-skills classrooms — that your IEP team can place your child in. In southern NH the strongest specialized placements are most often within the public districts; insist on the right program through the IEP process.
Easterseals New Hampshire (Manchester) provides autism services, children's therapeutic services, and specialized supports — a deep, long-standing nonprofit that families and IEP teams across the region rely on for programming and therapy.
The Parent Information Center on Special Education offers free help weighing public and private special-education options and pushing for the right program through the IEP process — invaluable when you're considering a specialized placement.
Purpose-built (renovated 2025) day and residential special-education school in Manchester for students ages 5–21 (grades K–12) with significant emotional, behavioral, developmental and learning needs. On-site OT, speech, and PT; part of the long-established Easterseals NH treatment network. The flagship credentialed special-ed school physically located in Manchester.
New Hampshire's special-education day school dedicated solely to children and youth with autism, grades preK–12. Intensive, year-round instruction built on applied behavior analysis (ABA) with individualized programming. The premier autism-focused option in the region; ~50 miles from Manchester.
Approved private special-education school (grades 5–12, ages 9–21) serving students with specific learning disabilities, speech/language impairment, autism, and emotional disturbance (including anxiety and school phobia). Separate middle- and high-school buildings; diploma-granting. ~15 miles from Manchester.
Approved private special-education program (infants through age 22) providing comprehensive, year-round education integrated with round-the-clock skilled nursing for students with significant cognitive impairments and complex medical/therapeutic needs. On-site speech, OT and PT; 75+ years of operation. ~45 miles from Manchester.
Small approved private special-education school (grades 6–12, ages 11–21) operating since 1996 for students with emotional disabilities, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, and autism. Separate middle- and high-school buildings. ~45 miles from Manchester.
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.
Well-regarded suburban district providing free appropriate public education to children ages 3-22, with an inclusive neighborhood-school model and in-district special-education and related services. Programs change year to year - confirm current placements with the district.
Manchester-area district providing free special-education and related services for eligible students ages 3-21, including in-district specialized programs and a preschool program. Programs change year to year - confirm current offerings with the district.
Southern Manchester-metro district offering free special-education services, in-district autism and learning-support programs, and preschool special education for eligible children ages 3-21. Programs change year to year - confirm current offerings with the district.
Practice providing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations in NH for 20+ years, assessing ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, anxiety and cognitive difficulties in children and adults by licensed neuropsychologists.
Bedford autism center offering diagnostic evaluations alongside ABA, speech and occupational therapy, with licensed/registered occupational therapists and behavior-analytic staff providing coordinated assessment and treatment.
Dartmouth Health Children's Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Services (BANDS) provides diagnostic evaluation and care for autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders, with outpatient visits available at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester — the region's academic-affiliated diagnostic home.
The Behavioral Learning Network's Manchester office, directed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctorate (BCBA-D), provides autism assessment and ABA therapy — a credentialed local diagnose-and-treat option. Confirm the diagnostic clinician's licensure.
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 southern NH (Dartmouth Health and Boston Children's, ~1 hour, are the academic referrals for complex cases), instead of trusting star ratings.
The Children's Dyslexia Center in Nashua provides free, multi-year Orton-Gillingham tutoring by trained instructors for children diagnosed with dyslexia, early elementary through high school — a remarkable no-cost, evidence-based dyslexia resource in southern NH.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators lists accredited O-G practitioners across New Hampshire — searchable near Manchester, Nashua, or Bedford. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, 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.
Outpatient multidisciplinary pediatric therapy clinic providing speech-language, occupational and physical therapy for children birth-21, with specialties in autism, sensory integration, motor development and feeding by licensed/credentialed clinicians.
Manchester pediatric therapy center delivering occupational, speech-language and physical therapy for children with autism, developmental and sensory needs by licensed therapists in a child-focused clinic setting.
Center-based and in-home ABA therapy for children with autism in Manchester, with BCBA-supervised programs plus speech and occupational therapy support; accepts NH Medicaid and private insurance.
In-home, play-based ABA therapy for children ages 2-18 in Manchester, delivered under BCBA supervision; accepts NH Medicaid plans and Connor's Law private insurance with no waitlist.
Nonprofit Children's Dyslexia Center serving NH families with structured, one-on-one Orton-Gillingham reading instruction by trained/certified practitioners over a two-year program at no cost to families.
Easterseals NH provides one-to-one, evidence-based ABA therapy for young children with autism plus children's therapeutic services (speech-language, OT, PT) at its Manchester clinic — a credentialed, multidisciplinary nonprofit and the region's anchor provider.
A.B.A. Behavioral Consulting is a locally owned Manchester practice with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) providing applied behavior analysis for children with autism (Behavioral Concepts/BCI serves Nashua, and several BCBA-led practices accept NH Medicaid and Connor's Law coverage). Verify current BCBA supervision.
Elliot Pediatric Rehabilitation Services provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children 0–18 in Manchester, and Milestones Pediatric Therapy (603-232-5922) offers speech, OT, and PT — credentialed, multidisciplinary local options.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across southern NH, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Manchester, Nashua, or Bedford find the nearest credentialed clinician.
Dartmouth Health Children's BANDS team diagnoses and helps manage autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, with outpatient care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester — the region's academic developmental-behavioral home (Boston Children's is also within reach for complex cases).
Elliot Hospital and Catholic Medical Center provide pediatric care in Manchester — local medical starting points for developmental concerns and referrals to specialists.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving southern NH — 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 New Hampshire — the field's real professional standard.
The Parent Information Center on Special Education is New Hampshire's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, evaluations, and the IEP process, with trained parent advocates. A respected statewide free resource before hiring a private advocate.
New Hampshire'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.
The Nashua Children's Dyslexia Center provides free, multi-year Orton-Gillingham tutoring for children with dyslexia — one of the strongest no-cost, evidence-based dyslexia resources in New Hampshire.
For children birth to 3, NH's Family-Centered Early Supports & Services (the Moore Center in Manchester) provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
New Hampshire's 'Connor's Law' requires many insurance plans to cover autism diagnosis and treatment (including ABA), and NH Medicaid covers medically necessary therapies — an important low-cost path to services. Ask any ABA or therapy provider whether they bill NH Medicaid or your plan under Connor's Law.
PIC-NH offers free help understanding evaluations, IEPs, and your rights — a no-cost first call for any southern NH family navigating special education.
For children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or disability, New Hampshire's Family-Centered Early Supports & Services provides free evaluation and services (speech, OT, PT, special instruction, service coordination) — delivered locally in Manchester by the Moore Center (603-206-2700) and across the region by Easterseals NH. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from your district — Manchester (SAU 37), Nashua, Bedford, Londonderry, or Merrimack. Under New Hampshire rules the district must complete the evaluation and, if eligible, develop an IEP within state timelines (the disposition process runs within 60 days of your written consent — ask your district for exact dates). This is the free legal route to an IEP under IDEA.
New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
New Hampshire'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 Manchester?
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 Manchester?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in New Hampshire — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.