Greater Omaha covers Douglas and Sarpy counties — Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Millard — plus Council Bluffs, Iowa just across the river. This is a true yellow pages of the best, most relevant help for a child with special needs, built so a family ANYWHERE in the metro can find genuinely excellent care nearby — named experts and programs, not just directories. It's ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham, COPAA, CCC-SLP, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. Start with the free Nebraska options (Council Bluffs families use Iowa's Early ACCESS), 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 →
Founded in 1960 by a Sister of Mercy, this is the only Midwest organization offering a seamless continuum of services for students with intellectual & developmental disabilities, autism, and other health impairments. Programs span PK-12 education, a Young Adult Program, Project SEARCH, and adult services from a new Aksarben Village campus.
A nonprofit private K-8 school for children with learning challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, and language-based learning disabilities, using a structured phonics-based approach with very low student-teacher ratios. Consistently ranked among Nebraska's top private special-education schools.
A therapeutic day school founded in 1987 that serves approximately 50 K-12 students verified as behaviorally disordered, sent by school districts across eastern Nebraska. Combines special-education instruction with a structured, success-based behavioral program.
Part of a multi-service nonprofit human-services agency operating since 1875, the therapeutic school and One Oak program serve special-education K-12 students with significant mental-health diagnoses. Academic instruction by special-education teachers is paired with individual, group, and family therapy from licensed clinicians.
Madonna Ability Alliance (the former Madonna School) is Omaha's only private special-education program of its kind, certified by the Nebraska Department of Education — serving students with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other health impairments from PreK through adulthood with individualized academics, speech therapy, and vocational training.
PTI Nebraska can help you compare additional Omaha-area school options for dyslexia, autism, and learning differences at no cost — including district special-education programs across Omaha Public Schools, Millard, Bellevue, and Papillion.
The International Dyslexia Association lists vetted dyslexia schools, structured-literacy programs, and trained providers — a credible way to find Orton-Gillingham-based dyslexia education in the Omaha area when you need a specialized program.
Omaha's only private, Catholic special-education day school, serving students PK-12 (plus young-adult and adult programs) with intellectual & developmental disabilities, autism (ASD), and other health impairments. Certified by the Nebraska Department of Education, with small classes, certified special-education staff, speech therapy, and pre-vocational/vocational training. The Midwest's only organization offering a full IDD/ASD continuum across the lifespan.
Part of the nationally recognized Boys Town organization, the Boys Town day/education program serves special and general-education students (roughly grades 4-12) who struggle in traditional settings because of behavioral, emotional, and academic needs. Uses the evidence-based Boys Town Education Model with very low student-teacher ratios (about 4:1), Safe Crisis Management training, and a focus on social-skills instruction and relationship-building.
Omaha Public Schools' dedicated special school for students ages 5-21 who are medically fragile and have multiple disabilities (often with hearing, vision, speech, and/or motor impairments) under Nebraska's Rule 51 multiple-disabilities category. Purpose-built, fully accessible facility with a sensory curriculum, therapy pool, certified special-education and related-services staff, and programming across cognitive, communication, motor, self-help, social, and pre-vocational domains.
Nebraska's largest district special-education program, serving students birth through age 21 across all disability categories (autism, behavior disorder, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and more) under IEPs/IFSPs. Offers a full continuum from inclusive in-building supports to specialized programs and separate schools (including J.P. Lord), with certified special educators, related-services therapists, and dedicated autism and behavior-skills programming.
Special-education department of Millard Public Schools, one of the highest-rated districts in the Omaha metro, serving students with disabilities under Nebraska Rule 51 with IEP-driven services. Provides a continuum of placements, certified special-education staff, related services, and specialized programs (including autism and behavior supports) across its elementary, middle, and high schools.
Nebraska's statewide special school for students who are blind or visually impaired (including those with additional disabilities), serving infancy through age 21 in residential, day, and outreach settings. Founded 1875; provides intensive, specialized instruction in Braille, assistive technology, orientation & mobility, and daily-living skills with certified teachers of the visually impaired. Located about 40 miles south of Omaha (within commuting/outreach range).
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.
Nebraska's largest district provides a full continuum of free special-education services from birth through age 21, including evaluation, IEPs, related services, and specialized classrooms across dozens of buildings. Programs change year to year; confirm current offerings and placement with the district.
A large, well-regarded west-Omaha district with an established special-education department offering a continuum of placements, related services, and transition supports for eligible students. Programs change year to year; verify current programming directly.
A high-performing central-Omaha district with a long-standing reputation for individualized student services and special-education supports across elementary and secondary levels. Programs change year to year; confirm current offerings with the district.
A regional public education cooperative serving 18 Sarpy/Douglas County districts in the Omaha metro, providing shared special-education staff, autism/behavior specialists, assistive technology, and low-incidence programming that individual districts draw on. Programs change year to year; confirm current services with your home district or ESU 3.
An internationally recognized pediatric research hospital offering developmental-behavioral pediatric evaluations and a full range of behavioral-health diagnostic services for children ages 2-22 across multiple Omaha-metro clinics. Long-standing leader in pediatric hearing, language, neuroscience, and behavioral health.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC — Nebraska's University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities — provides neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment for children with autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, and developmental disabilities. The metro's leading academic program (ABPP board certification valued among its faculty).
Children's Nebraska (Children's Hospital & Medical Center) offers pediatric behavioral health and neuropsychological evaluation of learning, attention, and developmental concerns — a second strong academic option in Omaha.
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 (in Bellevue, Papillion, or Council Bluffs), instead of trusting star ratings.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across greater Omaha — searchable by area so you can find one near Bellevue, Papillion, Millard, or Council Bluffs. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor.
The International Dyslexia Association helps you find certified, structured-literacy dyslexia practitioners and tutors in the Omaha area — verified by training and certification 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.
A center-based ABA provider that is the first and only Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ) accredited organization in Nebraska, delivering BCBA-supervised applied behavior analysis for young children with autism. Multiple Omaha-metro locations.
An established outpatient pediatric clinic providing occupational, physical, speech-language, and aquatic therapy by licensed therapists (OTR/L, CCC-SLP) for children across the Omaha metro and western Iowa.
A Creighton University-affiliated clinic whose pediatric occupational, physical, and speech-language therapists (OTR/L, CCC-SLP) build individualized treatment plans including feeding, pelvic, and aquatic therapies plus telehealth.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute's Behavioral Health and Autism clinics provide evidence-based ABA, speech-language, and occupational therapy for children with autism and developmental disabilities — an academic, university-anchored standard of care for the metro.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory is the way to verify ABA quality. Omaha has many autism centers (Stride, Lighthouse, Inner Circle/ICAN in La Vista & Millard, Mindcolor, Flywheel) — search BHCOE by zip to confirm which hold accreditation and find the nearest to Bellevue, Papillion, or Council Bluffs.
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, searchable anywhere in greater Omaha.
The American Occupational Therapy Association helps you find licensed occupational therapists (OTR/L) for sensory, fine-motor, and daily-living support — a credential to verify alongside speech and ABA care.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute (UNMC) and Children's Nebraska provide developmental-behavioral pediatric diagnosis and care for autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns by board-certified specialists — the metro's leading academic programs.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians across greater Omaha — 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 greater Omaha — the field's real professional standard.
Beyond information, PTI Nebraska's trained staff help you prepare for and understand IEP meetings at no cost — a respected free alternative to hiring a private advocate first.
Legal Aid of Nebraska provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across the Omaha region — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
The Munroe-Meyer Institute's university-based speech-language and therapy clinics serve children across the metro with autism and communication needs — an academic, university-anchored option that works with insurance and connects families to assistance.
The Autism Society of Nebraska provides free information, referrals, and family support across the Omaha metro — connecting families to vetted local autism services alongside clinical care.
For children birth to 3, Nebraska's EDN provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies (Council Bluffs/Iowa families use Iowa's Early ACCESS) — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3 with developmental delays or health-care needs, Nebraska's Early Development Network provides free developmental evaluation and early-intervention services and connects families to supports. (Council Bluffs, Iowa families use Iowa's Early ACCESS.) The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Nebraska'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.
Nebraska's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, early intervention, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings, so you can be your child's best advocate. A great first call.
Federally funded and free — they help Nebraska families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Nebraska'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 Omaha?
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 Omaha?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Nebraska — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.