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Phoenix, Arizona · special-education help

Special-education help for Phoenix families.

Phoenix has a major children's hospital with board-certified neuropsychologists, specialized schools for autism and dyslexia, and a nationally known autism research center — but finding the genuinely excellent help near you is the hard part. This is Phoenix's own credential-vetted directory of the best evaluators, schools, therapists, and doctors, plus free and low-cost options. Then, if you want it, an expert reads your child's records and builds your plan.

$350 flat — no surprises, ever  ·  Free first reply
An expert review of your child's IEP & records, our researched Phoenix recommendations from the vetted directory below, a clear written action plan, and a vetted local advocate, found and recommended for you. Reduced-fee spots available.

How we choose who to trust

We don't rank by star ratings — they're noisy and easy to game. Every group below earns its place by credentials: board certification, school accreditation, professional licensure, and standing in the field's real professional bodies. The honest bar, not the loudest reviews.

ABPP / ABCNOrton-Gillingham · AIMSCCC-SLP · OTR/L · BCBACOPAACastle Connolly

Evaluators & neuropsychologists ABPP board-certified

Phoenix Children's — Barrow Neurological Institute (Neuropsychology)ABPP-CN · academic

The neuropsychology team at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's is led by board-certified pediatric neuropsychologists (Ashley M. Whitaker, PhD, ABPP-CN, division chief). Comprehensive, school-ready evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism.

George Prigatano, PhD, ABPP-CN — Barrow (St. Joseph's)ABPP-CN · veteran clinician

A nationally respected, board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at Barrow Neurological Institute — one of the field's most established names for thorough neuropsychological assessment.

ABPP — Find a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologistboard-cert directory

The American Board of Professional Psychology's directory lists clinicians who passed board certification in clinical neuropsychology — the real credential to look for in a private evaluator near you.

Special-education schools accredited & specialized

Gateway Academygrades 6–12 · Level 1 autism · nonprofit

A nonprofit Phoenix school (grades 6–12, est. 2005) built for students with Level 1 autism spectrum disorder — a structured academic program with social and life-skills support.

New Way AcademyK–12 · dyslexia/LD · IDA · multisensory

Arizona's established K–12 day school for dyslexia and language-based learning differences — small classes, structured multisensory literacy, and on-campus therapists. Active in the International Dyslexia Association and NAIS.

LEARN Academy (formerly Chrysalis)K–12+ · ABA-based · AZ-approved · Scottsdale

A state-approved private day school in Scottsdale (K–12+) built on applied behavior analysis, with embedded speech-language and occupational therapy — for students with autism and developmental needs.

Reading & dyslexia Orton-Gillingham

Academy of Orton-Gillingham — find a Phoenix tutoraccredited O-G practitioners

The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor near you.

BookshareFREE if qualifying

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.

ABA, speech & occupational therapy BHCOE · CCC-SLP · OTR-L

Hopebridge — GlendaleBHCOE · ABA + OT + speech

A BHCOE-accredited center offering interdisciplinary autism care — ABA alongside occupational and speech-language therapy — so services are coordinated under one roof.

Ally Pediatric TherapyBHCOE-accredited ABA · Metro Phoenix

A BHCOE-accredited applied-behavior-analysis provider with several clinics across Metro Phoenix, focused on autism care for children and families.

BHCOE — Find more accredited ABAaccreditation directory

For more options, the BHCOE directory lists every accredited ABA provider in the Phoenix area — the real quality bar for choosing ABA.

ASHA ProFind — Find a certified SLPCCC-SLP directory

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.

Developmental & behavioral doctors board-certified (DBP)

Phoenix Children's — Developmental Pediatrics & Autism Programacademic · autism diagnosis

Phoenix Children's developmental pediatrics, psychology, and psychiatry teams provide comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations and ongoing care. Developmental Pediatrics: (602) 933-2327.

SARRC (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center)DBP-led · diagnosis + services

A nationally known nonprofit co-founded and medically directed by Raun Melmed, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician — diagnosis, clinical services, and family programs for children and adults with autism.

Advocates COPAA · vetted

Parent Support ArizonaCOPAA member · direct advocacy

An Arizona advocacy practice whose educational advocates are COPAA members — direct, hands-on IEP and special-education advocacy for families across the Phoenix area.

COPAA — Find an Advocate / Attorneynational professional body

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.

Low-cost, sliding-scale & free every family deserves help

ASU Psychology Clinicsliding scale ($20–$95)

Arizona State University's training clinic offers psychological assessment and therapy on a sliding scale based on income and family size ($20–$95), supervised by licensed psychologists.

ASU Speech & Hearing Cliniclow-cost pediatric speech/language

ASU's clinic provides low-cost pediatric speech-language and hearing evaluation and therapy to the community, supervised by certified clinicians.

Free official help in your state federally funded · free

Arizona's free Parent Center

Raising Special Kids

Federally funded and free — they help Arizona families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.

Arizona disability rights & legal advocacy

Disability Rights Arizona

Arizona's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.

When you want an expert in your corner

1

Tell us about your child

A short message — your child, your Phoenix district, and what you're facing. We set up a secure way to share the IEP.

2

We do the research

We review the records against your rights and match your child to the right Phoenix providers from the vetted directory above.

3

A plan — and an advocate

A clear written plan, plus a vetted Phoenix advocate, found and recommended for you, for the in-person help.

Get expert help for your Phoenix child — one flat $350.

Free first reply with honest next steps. No pressure, no surprises — just an expert in your corner.

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