Queens is one of the most diverse places on earth — and a great specialist across the city often isn't realistic from here. So this is Queens's own credential-vetted directory of the best evaluators, schools, therapists, and doctors near you, with bilingual help where it matters.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
A Jamaica Estates school offering individualized academics plus therapeutic support for students with learning disabilities and emotional challenges — a NYS-approved nonpublic special-education school.
The New York State Education Department's official list of approved private special-education schools — the way to confirm a school is state-approved (which matters for district-funded placement).
Nonpublic, NYSED-approved day school in Whitestone, Queens serving students ages 5-21 with autism using ABA-based instruction and on-site related services, with placement available through a CSE referral.
A NYSED-approved, ABA-focused private school in Long Island City, Queens (part of the Gersh network) for students roughly ages 5-15 on the autism spectrum.
Established in 1968 in Jamaica Estates, Queens, this state-funding-approved therapeutic day school serves grades 3-12 students with specific learning disabilities and/or emotional challenges, with counseling, speech, and OT built in.
A District 75 citywide public special-education school in Elmhurst, Queens serving students with autism, significant cognitive delays, multiple disabilities, and speech/language needs.
The DOE's citywide special-education district operates dozens of programs across Queens for students ages 3-21 with autism, significant cognitive delays, emotional challenges, or multiple disabilities, with placement through the CSE/IEP process.
An independent Manhattan special-education school (commutable from Queens) accredited by the Academy of Orton-Gillingham, serving ages 3-14 with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences via daily small-group multisensory reading instruction.
A NYSED-approved private school on Manhattan's Upper West Side (accessible from Queens) serving students ages 5-21 with autism using its ABA-rooted Transdisciplinary Behavioral Model plus speech, OT, and social-skills programming.
A Manhattan private special-education school for young children (roughly ages 2.8-11) with language, learning, sensory, and social-emotional differences, offering an integrated therapeutic and academic program.
A long-running, NYSED-approved private day school in West Hempstead serving students on the autism spectrum from NYC and Long Island, with academics plus social, life, and vocational skills programming.
A NYSED-authorized K-12 public charter school on Staten Island built on a fully inclusive model where roughly 40% of students receive special-education services alongside general-education peers.
Comprehensive, school-ready neuropsychological and learning evaluations from a top academic center (with Queens-area locations) — for learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism.
A renowned NYC nonprofit whose board-certified clinicians (including ABPdN-certified pediatric neuropsychologists) do thorough learning, ADHD, and autism evaluations — in person and via telehealth.
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.
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-established NYC multidisciplinary provider with strong roots in Queens — speech, occupational, physical, and ABA therapy with licensed clinicians, and bilingual services across many languages.
For more options, the BHCOE directory lists every accredited ABA provider in Queens — the real quality bar for choosing ABA.
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.
Northwell's Cohen Children's multidisciplinary team of board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluates and manages autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns — convenient to Queens, and accepts most insurance.
Board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians (with a dedicated ADHD clinic) across NYC locations — the medical anchor for a strong IEP.
A long-established NYC special-education advocacy practice that guides families through evaluations, IEPs, placement, and the city's complex process — serving Queens families.
For more options, the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving New York.
The CUNY training clinic provides psychoeducational and learning-disability assessments at low cost — with sliding-scale fees for families with demonstrated need — right in Queens.
Free help understanding your rights, the IEP process, evaluations, and meetings — one of the best free resources in the country, serving all five boroughs.
Federally funded and free — they help New York families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
New York'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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Your state's free programs · Find help by ZIP · Explore the tools →
How do I start the special-education process in Queens?
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 Queens?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in New York — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.