The Research Triangle is really three cities and their suburbs — Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, plus Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Carrboro, and Clayton — across Wake, Durham, Orange, and Johnston counties. This directory is built so a family ANYWHERE in the Triangle can find genuinely excellent help nearby, whether you're near Duke in Durham, UNC in Chapel Hill, or out in Wake Forest or Clayton. It's ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham/Wilson accreditation, COPAA, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. Start with the free North Carolina options (your county runs its own Early Intervention), 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 →
NAEYC-accredited, 5-star early childhood development center in Raleigh serving children ages 2-6 with and without disabilities in inclusive classrooms, with embedded therapeutic support.
A small private school (about 75 students, 4-6:1 ratio) offering individualized instruction for students with learning differences. Fully accredited by Cognia and registered with the NC Department of Non-Public Education.
A K-12 school built for neurodivergent students, with small leveled classes, movement, multisensory teaching, and a vocational Independence Academy track for high schoolers.
A K-12 private school specializing in students across the autism spectrum (PDD/PDD-NOS), Down syndrome, ADHD, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and sensory processing disorders.
The Triangle's leading program for bright students with dyslexia, ADHD, and learning differences, Hill Learning Center (Durham) offers an innovative half-day K–12 model — students attend from 70+ Triangle public and private schools. SACS-accredited, NAIS member, NC-approved alternative school, and a NASET School of Excellence.
For 35+ years, The Fletcher Academy (Raleigh) has taught grades 2–12 students with ADHD, processing and memory issues, and learning disabilities including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia — dual-accredited by SACS/SAIS, with individualized, hands-on instruction.
The Mariposa School (Cary) is a nonprofit created specifically for children with autism and related learning differences — year-round, intensive, evidence-based instruction that has drawn international attention, serving the west side of the Triangle.
ECAC's parent specialists can help you compare additional Triangle school options for dyslexia, autism, and learning differences at no cost — and explain North Carolina's ESA+ scholarship for students with disabilities.
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.
The Triangle's largest district provides a full continuum of special-education and related services under IDEA, including regional autism, behavioral and intellectual-disability programs for students whose IEPs require more specialized support. Programs change year to year.
Durham's district Exceptional Children program delivers IEP-driven special-education services and specialized program options across the Triangle for students with autism, learning disabilities and related needs. Programs change year to year.
A highly regarded Triangle district whose Exceptional Children department provides special-education services and specialized programming under IDEA, drawing on close proximity to UNC resources. Programs change year to year.
North Carolina's comprehensive university-based center for multidisciplinary developmental-disability evaluation, including autism and complex neurodevelopmental diagnoses, integrating clinical care, research and training.
Part of Duke University Health System, this center provides comprehensive multidisciplinary autism evaluations for children and adolescents using a team of psychologists, physicians and developmental specialists, with access to research and clinical trials.
A specialty testing clinic for ADHD, learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorder, plus full neuropsychological evaluations completed by a licensed psychologist, with transparent self-pay pricing set before scheduling.
Founded by Dr. Stephanie Renfrow, PhD, this practice does psycho-educational, neuropsychological, gifted, and autism evaluations to pinpoint the learning difficulties a child faces in the classroom.
A team of doctoral psychologists (Whitney Draper Edwards, PsyD; Yesenia Schuler, PsyD; Jessica Hernandez, PhD) offering comprehensive psychological, neuropsychological, and educational testing for children and teens.
A Cary practice providing child and teen ADHD testing, autism testing, and learning-disability testing alongside therapy, staffed by licensed psychologists.
A pediatric neuropsychologist who evaluates children, teens, and young adults ages 3-24 for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, and concussions.
Learning-disability evaluations that examine cognitive and academic skills to identify dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, plus ADHD and autism spectrum evaluations, with Triangle offices in Chapel Hill and Durham.
Psychological and psychoeducational testing for children and adolescents to identify autism, ADHD, and learning differences including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
Specializes in the early identification of developmental delays, autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, and behavioral-emotional challenges in young children.
Duke's Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic — where Peter Duquette, PhD, ABPP-CN (ages 2–25; autism, ADHD, learning disabilities) and Jill Stuart, PhD, ABPP practice — provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation within a top academic medical center in Durham.
A global leader in autism care for 50+ years, UNC's TEACCH Autism Program (Chapel Hill/Carrboro) provides diagnostic evaluations for children, teens, and adults suspected of autism, plus family consultation and support — one of the most respected autism programs in the world.
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 Cary, Apex, or Wake Forest), instead of trusting star ratings.
Provides the Wilson Reading System, an intensive Tier-3 multisensory program for grades 2-12 and adults with word-level deficits and dyslexia, taught by a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner.
Monica DiPilato is an Orton-Gillingham-trained reading specialist and Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) through the Academic Language Therapy Association, with Associate- and Certified-level coursework from the Key Learning Center. Based in Raleigh since 2001, she provides structured-literacy tutoring for children with dyslexia across the Triangle.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across the Triangle — searchable by area so you can find one near Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or Cary. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor.
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.
Founded in 2007 by a mother-daughter team of speech-language pathologists, this Raleigh sensory-gym clinic provides licensed speech (CCC-SLP), occupational (OTR/L), physical and feeding therapy for children.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider with clinics in Raleigh and Garner serving the whole Triangle, with board-certified, state-licensed BCBAs and on-site occupational therapy delivered by OTR/L clinicians trained in sensory integration.
A BHCOE-accredited Raleigh provider offering ABA alongside pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy under one roof, for coordinated multidisciplinary care from infancy to age 18.
A North Raleigh clinic providing pediatric occupational and speech therapy plus early intervention, with a full sensory gym (swings, trampolines, climbing walls) and travel therapy to homes and schools.
A whole-child autism center combining ABA, medical care, speech, occupational, physical, and music therapy in one integrated program serving the greater Raleigh-Durham area.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider with clinics in Raleigh and Garner, serving families throughout the Triangle — Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale and more. Board-certified, state-licensed BCBAs; accredited for clinical quality rather than ad spend.
A BHCOE-accredited Raleigh provider offering ABA alongside pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapy under one roof — coordinated, multidisciplinary care for autistic children.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across the Triangle (including Priorities ABA and Cortica in Cary, and Autism Behavioral Institute in Raleigh) — searchable by zip so a family in Apex, Chapel Hill, or Clayton finds the nearest accredited center.
One of only a handful of dedicated pediatric sensory-integration therapy clinics in the U.S., Developmental Therapy Associates has served the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Cary) since 1982 with ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists and licensed occupational therapists — a depth of experience that's rare, not a name that bought its place.
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 the Triangle.
WakeMed's pediatric behavioral health and developmental-behavioral pediatrics team evaluates and manages developmental delays, autism, ADHD, and behavioral concerns in children in Raleigh.
Two top academic programs anchor the Triangle: Duke Children's Evaluation Center (Durham) and UNC's developmental-behavioral pediatrics (Chapel Hill) diagnose and manage autism, ADHD, and developmental delay with board-certified specialists — options on both sides of the Triangle.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians across the Triangle — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
A Durham firm (Stacey Gahagan and Ann Paradis) focused on special-education law, helping families enforce students' rights under IDEA and Section 504.
Run by two advocates with 15+ years in NC school systems, this practice explains evaluations, IEPs, and 504 plans, reviews school documents, and prepares and supports families through IEP meetings.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the Triangle — the field's real professional standard.
A Raleigh special-education law practice that assists parents at every stage of the IEP process — from referral and evaluation through dispute resolution and litigation — when a district isn't meeting its obligations.
Legal Aid of North Carolina's Right to Education Project provides free legal help to income-eligible families on special education, suspensions, enrollment, and disability discrimination — a no-cost route to real legal representation.
UNC Chapel Hill's Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences and Hearing & Communication Center provide low-cost speech, language, and hearing evaluation and therapy for children — delivered by graduate clinicians under licensed, ASHA-certified faculty supervision.
The Autism Society of North Carolina provides free information, referrals, and family support across the Triangle — autism resource specialists who help you find vetted local services, alongside clinical care.
For children birth to 3 in Wake, Durham, Orange, or Johnston County, the NC Infant-Toddler Program provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies through your local CDSA — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
For children birth to 3, North Carolina's Infant-Toddler Program provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention services through your local CDSA — so a family in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or Clayton reaches an office near them. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
North Carolina's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied, statewide. A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
North Carolina's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings for children birth to age 26. A great first call from anywhere in the Triangle.
Federally funded and free — they help North Carolina families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
North Carolina'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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in North Carolina — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.