Phoenix has Barrow at Phoenix Children's, the nationally known SARRC autism center, and strong specialized schools — the hard part is knowing which help is genuinely excellent and how to reach the free options first. This is Phoenix's own directory, ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham accreditation, COPAA, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. Start with the free Arizona options, then the best evaluators, schools, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
School for students diagnosed with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities; staff are highly trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and Multisensory Math to build effective, confident learners.
Arizona Department of Education approved private day school (grades K-12+) in Scottsdale for children with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities.
Arizona's only Wilson Accredited Partner school and an IDA-accredited program, serving average-to-gifted students with dyslexia and related learning differences using Wilson structured-literacy instruction and executive-function coaching.
Arizona's first private school exclusively for twice-exceptional students with high-functioning autism, grades 6-12, pairing academic rigor with social-emotional, executive-function, and therapeutic supports.
Arizona's first fully WASC-accredited K-12+ autism-only academy serving all levels of the spectrum, with multiple Phoenix-area campuses (North Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Glendale) blending specialized education and therapy.
Arizona's premier K–12 independent day school (Phoenix, founded 1968) for students with specific learning differences — dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive-function difficulties. (Lexis Prep merged into New Way in 2020.)
A grades 6–12 school (Scottsdale/Phoenix) supporting a focused population of students with high-functioning autism — find its current details via the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix specialized-schools list.
A nonprofit private day school for students with a range of learning differences, with Phoenix-area (Mesa) campuses — individualized instruction for students who learn differently.
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.
Arizona's first tuition-free, autism-focused public charter network, using Applied Behavior Analysis to help K-12 students access state standards. Nationally recognized (2022 Yass Prize) with multiple Phoenix-area campuses and a fully accredited online school. Programs change year to year-verify current placement.
Arizona's largest school district, operating a full continuum of special-education services and self-contained autism, resource and life-skills programs across many campuses. Programs change year to year-verify current placement and IEP team availability.
District-run special-education and Exceptional Student Services including structured autism support, resource and self-contained programs across Scottsdale campuses. Programs change year to year-verify current placement.
Well-regarded East Valley public district offering a continuum of special-education placements, autism programs and related services (speech, OT, PT). Programs change year to year-verify current placement.
North-valley public district providing specialized special-education programs, autism support and related therapy services across its schools. Programs change year to year-verify current placement.
Evaluation practice assessing autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia, language disorders and cognitive concerns for children, adolescents and adults, with Phoenix and Tucson locations.
Assessment center providing autism, developmental and psychological/neuropsychological testing for children and young adults up to age 23.
A psychiatry and clinical-psychology testing practice (Dr. Shalini Wahi, PhD; Dr. Gagan Singh, MD) doing autism, ADHD, learning-disability (dyslexia/dysgraphia/dyscalculia), and neuropsychological evaluations for children, teens, and adults, plus SAT/ACT accommodation testing.
A testing center focused on comprehensive psychological and educational evaluation for children, youth, and young adults — autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, and social-emotional testing on a fee-for-service basis.
A pediatric clinic (Dr. Nilam Khurana) doing comprehensive autism-spectrum diagnostic evaluations starting at 12 months and dyslexia assessments from age 6, with individualized care plans and family guidance.
Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's has an eight-clinician pediatric neuropsychology team, led by division chief Ashley M. Whitaker, PhD, ABPP-CN — comprehensive outpatient evaluations of learning, attention, autism, and neurodevelopmental conditions; clinicians are ABPP-board-certified or in active pursuit.
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, instead of trusting star ratings.
A dyslexia-focused practice doing testing and direct, explicit, multisensory academic therapy (Orton-Gillingham and Barton Reading & Spelling) for reading, spelling, writing, and math, with three Valley locations.
An Arcadia-area practice providing intensive multisensory Orton-Gillingham structured-literacy dyslexia remediation, plus speech therapy, private education, and parent coaching.
A dyslexia center offering screening and multisensory structured-language (Orton-Gillingham) reading therapy and tutoring for struggling readers.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across the Phoenix area — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, verified by training 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.
Established Phoenix-area provider offering BCBA-supervised ABA therapy and early autism assessments, with care plans coordinated across behavioral, speech and developmental needs.
Long-established national ABA provider with an Arizona clinical team led by licensed board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) delivering center- and home-based ABA therapy.
Center-based ABA therapy provider staffed by board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) with multiple Phoenix-area clinics serving young children with autism.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider offering naturalistic, play-based early-intervention therapy and autism diagnostic evaluations at Phoenix-area learning centers (Deer Valley, Chandler).
A long-established (1989) pediatric speech-language and occupational-therapy practice doing evaluations, speech/language therapy, social-communication groups, executive-function and reading/writing intervention, with Scottsdale and Chandler clinics.
An SLP-owned, women-led practice (founders JoAnn Ridge, MS, CCC-SLP and Meghan Zeller, MS, CCC-SLP) delivering speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, school-psychology services, and team-based autism evaluations across the metro for ~20 years.
A multidisciplinary pediatric provider offering ABA and speech-language therapy plus feeding, social-skills, and executive-function support for autism and related conditions, with clinics across greater Phoenix.
An internationally recognized Phoenix nonprofit (founded 1997) — diagnostic evaluations, evidence-based ABA, and family/community services on dedicated clinical campuses. A trustworthy, research-grade anchor for autism care.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists BHCOE-accredited ABA providers across Phoenix (such as Arion Care Solutions) — the real quality bar for choosing ABA, instead of guessing from ads or stars.
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.
A specialty practice (Dr. Anna C. De Ocampo and Dr. Charissa P. Pe Benito, both board-certified in developmental-behavioral pediatrics) doing whole-child neurodevelopmental evaluation, diagnosis, and management for children 18 months to 12 years.
A developmental-behavioral pediatrics center directed by Dr. Raun D. Melmed (board-certified in pediatrics and DBP, SARRC co-founder), diagnosing and treating autism, ADHD, and developmental and behavioral conditions.
Phoenix Children's Division of Developmental Pediatrics — led by board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatrician Dannah G. Raz, MD (Division Chief) — diagnoses and treats autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, and developmental delay.
SARRC provides specialized, research-grade diagnostic evaluations for autism across the lifespan — a respected route to an accurate autism diagnosis in the Phoenix area.
An Arizona education law firm (est. 2006; Lori Kirsch-Goodwin, Esq.) devoted to special-education and IDEA matters — legal advice, IEP strategy, and representation for students and families.
A special-education advocacy organization whose advocates (COPAA members) help families review evaluations, build IEP/504 plans, and navigate the process for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other needs statewide.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the Phoenix area — the field's real professional standard.
An Arizona law office focused on special education and disability matters — IEP questions, disability discrimination, and representation for Phoenix-area parents and advocates.
Community Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across the Phoenix region — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
Arizona State University's clinic provides pediatric speech and language evaluation and therapy delivered by supervised graduate clinicians — university-quality care at accessible rates, with some no-cost programs.
Beyond training, Raising Special Kids offers free one-on-one parent support, IEP guidance, and connections to local resources — a warm, no-cost first stop for any Phoenix family that's overwhelmed.
For children birth to 3, AzEIP provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3, Arizona's AzEIP provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention services (speech, OT, PT, developmental). The earliest, no-barrier place to start if you have any concern about your baby or toddler.
Arizona'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.
Arizona's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings, plus parent-to-parent support. A great first call.
Federally funded and free — they help Arizona families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Arizona'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 Phoenix?
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 Phoenix?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Arizona — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.