Greater Rochester — Brighton, Pittsford, Greece, Webster, Irondequoit, and the Finger Lakes — has strong, credentialed help for kids with special needs, from the University of Rochester's Golisano Children's Hospital to a free Children's Dyslexia Center that's served the region for 25+ years. This is Rochester's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help — named experts and therapists where we can verify them, not just directories. It's ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham/Wilson, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification) — never by reviews or who pays. New York has no Regional Center system, so your free front door is your county's Early Intervention program (birth–3) and your school district's evaluation (ages 3+) — start there, 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 →
Independent nonprofit founded in 1949 serving children ages 5–21 with multiple, complex disabilities (autism, cognitive and physical disabilities, rare genetic syndromes). A NYSED-approved special-education school and Medicaid/CMS-certified facility, regarded as a regional leader in education and residential programs.
NYSED-licensed private special-education school offering day and residential placements for students across the full range of developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and significant behavioral needs. Residential program licensed through OPWDD.
Long-standing NYSED-approved special-education program (part of CP Rochester) serving children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, with on-site Article 28/Article 16 clinical therapy services and partnership in the Golisano Autism Center.
The Norman Howard School (275 Pinnacle Road, Rochester) is a special-education day school for students in grades 5–12 with learning disabilities and differences, drawing from over 30 school districts — individualized programs for bright students who struggle in a traditional classroom.
A searchable directory for comparing additional Rochester-area private and special-education school options by location, grades, and program — useful alongside the named school above.
Independent co-ed day school for grades 5-12 (ages 10-21) with learning disabilities, ADHD/OHI, speech-language impairment, or autism. Small structured classes, Regents-level academics, Wilson Reading System remediation, and embedded speech and counseling services. Accredited by the New York Association of Independent Schools and approved by NYSED; most placements are district-funded via the student's IEP. Serves students from 30+ districts across the region.
Therapeutic education programs (Crestwood Campus K-8 and Halpern Campus 7-12) licensed as schools by NYSED and the Office of Mental Health for students with significant emotional, behavioral, and mental-health needs. Small 6:1:2 classrooms, all teachers and aides NYS-certified, integrated clinical and special-education services. District CSE referral required; no cost to families. Part of the Hillside Family of Agencies, serving Rochester children since the 1800s.
Disability-services nonprofit whose Augustin Children's Center runs an NYSED-recognized inclusive education program for children with and without disabilities, plus early-intervention special education, speech, OT/PT, and social-work services for kids with cerebral palsy, autism, and developmental delays. Certified special-education and clinical staff; established Rochester-area UCP affiliate serving the Rochester and Finger Lakes region.
County cooperative providing public special-education programs for students with disabilities across Monroe County districts, including the Bird/Morgan School (K-8) for students with significant academic, social, and behavioral needs. NYS-certified special-education teachers, related services (OT/PT/speech, nursing, counseling), and placement in the least restrictive environment per the student's IEP. No-cost public option accessed through the home district's CSE.
Cooperative of nine districts delivering public special-education programs from preschool through transition age, with a dedicated K-12 autism program using structured-teaching (TEACCH/SCERTS) and AAC/LAMP communication supports, plus self-contained and integrated classrooms with related services. NYS-certified special-education staff; no-cost public placement through the home district's Committee on Special Education.
Founded in 1926 as the nation's first school for students with language-based learning differences, co-founded with dyslexia pioneer Dr. Samuel T. Orton. Day and boarding (grades 7-12, plus summer) specializing in remediation of dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and auditory processing via its Reconstructive Language program. Strongest dedicated Orton-Gillingham/dyslexia option in the broader region; located near Buffalo, roughly 55-60 miles from Rochester (just beyond 45 mi, included because no in-city OG day school exists).
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.
Public, tuition-free regional special-education service operating K–12 district-based autism programs (neuro-affirming, strength-based, using TEACCH and Montessori methods) and a Regents-track program for students with ASD/social-communication needs, with embedded OT, PT, and speech services. Programs change year to year — confirm current placements with your district CSE.
Public, tuition-free regional cooperative providing specialized special-education classrooms and related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling) for students referred by Monroe County districts. Programs change year to year — verify current offerings through your CSE.
The Rochester City School District operates dedicated Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program classrooms with specialized instruction and supports for eligible students. Programs and seats change year to year — confirm current options with the district's special-education office.
Private practice led by board-certified neuropsychologists Dr. Krista Damann and Dr. Tanya Grace, providing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for ADHD, learning disabilities, and cognitive/behavioral disorders for school-age children through adults.
Practice of licensed clinical psychologists specializing in psychological and neuropsychological testing for ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities in children (6+), teens, and adults, serving the Rochester and Buffalo areas.
Nationally recognized nonprofit (founded 1951) offering educational evaluations focused on language-based learning disabilities, especially dyslexia, plus accredited Orton-Gillingham diagnostic assessment. Long-standing regional authority on dyslexia identification.
The Levine Autism Clinic, part of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Rochester's Golisano Children's Hospital, provides comprehensive evaluation and care for children with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions — the region's leading academic medical center for diagnosis.
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 across the Rochester area, instead of trusting star ratings.
Part of the Scottish Rite-supported national network, the Children's Dyslexia Center of Rochester (director Ann Kaczka) has provided free, one-on-one Orton-Gillingham (multisensory structured language) tutoring for children with dyslexia for over 25 years — one of the region's best no-cost reading resources.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across greater Rochester — searchable by area so you can find one near Brighton, Pittsford, or Webster. 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.
Coordinated center founded by CP Rochester, AutismUp, and Al Sigl Community of Agencies providing a continuum of credentialed services — speech and occupational therapy, preschool/school-age programs, and life-skills training — for infants through adults across Greater Rochester.
Long-standing Rochester nonprofit providing social-skills, readiness, sensory-regulation, fitness, and recreation programming for children and families affected by autism, and a founding partner of the Golisano Autism Center.
ABA provider with a Rochester-area (Pittsford) clinic staffed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Licensed Behavior Analysts delivering individually tailored applied behavior analysis for children with autism.
Melissa Taberski, M.S., CCC-SLP, owns Sound Speech Therapy (Brighton/Pittsford/Rochester), specializing in speech disorders, language disorders, and early reading skills for children ages 3–12 — a named, nationally certified clinician with a literacy-aware focus.
A longstanding Rochester nonprofit, RHSC provides speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy with ASHA-certified and licensed clinicians, plus audiology and developmental services — a trusted, mission-driven local option with offices across the metro.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across greater Rochester, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Greece, Webster, or Pittsford find the nearest.
The Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics division at the University of Rochester's Golisano Children's Hospital — home to the Levine Autism Clinic — diagnoses and helps manage autism, ADHD, and developmental conditions. The region's premier academic developmental medicine team.
Rochester Regional Health's developmental & behavioral pediatrics in Irondequoit provides evaluation and behavioral/mental-health services — important coverage on the east side of the metro, a second hospital-system option for diagnosis and follow-up.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians across the Rochester area — 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 the Rochester area — the field's real professional standard.
Starbridge's trained specialists help Rochester-area families prepare for and understand IEP meetings at no cost — a respected, local free alternative to hiring a private advocate first.
New York's protection & advocacy agency offers free legal information and advocacy for special-education rights — a no-cost first stop before hiring a private advocate or attorney.
Nazareth University's Speech-Language Clinic (York Wellness & Rehabilitation Institute) provides low-cost evaluation and therapy delivered by supervised graduate clinicians — one of the Rochester area's best-value options for speech and language services.
Free, one-on-one Orton-Gillingham dyslexia tutoring at the Children's Dyslexia Center of Rochester — an outstanding no-cost reading resource for qualifying families across the region.
LawNY provides free civil legal help to income-eligible families across the Rochester area and the Finger Lakes — a no-cost route to legal assistance, including some education and benefits matters.
For children birth to 3, Monroe County's Early Intervention Program provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies — the earliest, no-barrier place to start in the Rochester area.
New York's Early Intervention Program, run through your county, provides free developmental evaluation and services for infants and toddlers (birth to 3) with delays or disabilities. In the Rochester area, start with Monroe County EI — the earliest, no-barrier place to begin.
Starbridge is the Rochester area's longtime parent center, offering free help understanding your rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings — trained, local, knowledgeable specialists. A great first call right here in the region.
New York'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.
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.
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How do I start the special-education process in Rochester?
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 Rochester?
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.