Central and metro San Diego — Downtown, Hillcrest, La Jolla, Mission Valley, Mid-City, Point Loma — is anchored by Rady Children's and UC San Diego, with strong free and low-cost options nearby. This is the area'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 Regional Center entitlement, 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 →
WASC-accredited nonpublic school serving students with autism, emotional disabilities, specific learning disabilities, speech/language impairment, and traumatic brain injury. Every teacher is credentialed in special education with a low staff-to-student ratio.
One of San Diego's first private special-education schools for students with autism, founded in 1973. State-certified to provide individualized special education for children, teens, and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities or severe emotional disorders.
Private nonprofit nonpublic school founded in 1972 for students ages 5-21 with learning disabilities and behavioral challenges. Certified by the CA Dept. of Education and contracted by districts countywide; offers counseling, speech/language, OT, and behavior support.
Nonpublic and private schools, learning centers, and educational-therapy programs for students grades 1-12 with autism, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities including dyslexia. CA Dept. of Education-listed nonpublic school with campuses across the county.
For 37+ years, The Winston School (Del Mar) has educated bright, twice-exceptional students who learn differently — dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, and high-functioning autism — accredited by NAIS, WASC, and CAPSES.
A San Diego nonprofit's vetted directory of local special-education schools and programs — a reliable way to find current, open placements (the landscape changes; some schools have closed).
The California Association of Private Special Education Schools lists state-certified nonpublic schools across San Diego — the verified way to find specialized, sometimes district-funded placements.
The San Diego flagship for bright students with learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, executive-function and processing challenges) — directly in the league of Siena/Katherine Thomas. Founded 1988 by pediatricians and parents; coed college-prep, grades 6-12, ~8:1 ratio, average class ~9-10. About 95% of graduates go on to two- or four-year college. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and certified by the State of California.
Premier K-8 program in San Diego County for students with language-based learning differences — dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, plus executive-function/memory/attention profiles. Founded 1996. Explicit, systematic, research-based structured-literacy instruction with small classes (about 8:1), highly qualified teachers, and integrated assistive technology. The closest local analog to a dedicated Orton-Gillingham/language-based day school.
State-certified nonpublic school under Banyan Tree Educational Services delivering intensive, intervention-level instruction for elementary/middle students diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, anxiety, or other language-based learning disabilities. Very low staff-to-student ratio (about 1:4) with structured-literacy methods. Two campuses serve central San Diego (Point Loma) and North County.
State-certified nonpublic day school (formed by the merger of Sierra Academy and the long-running Springall Academy) serving grades 1-12 and transition-age students (to 21/22) with autism, emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. Special-education-credentialed teachers plus BCBA, counseling, speech-language, OT, adaptive PE, and vocational/transition services. Operated by Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI).
One of San Diego's first private special-education schools (founded 1973), operated by the nonprofit Vista Hill Foundation. State-certified nonpublic school providing individualized special-education services to children, teens, and young adults with autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or severe emotional disturbance, with a long district-placement track record and wraparound clinical and after-school supports.
State-certified nonpublic school operated by ACES, a national ABA provider, in the heart of Hillcrest. Established 2004; serves grade 1 through transition age (18-22) with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. Staffed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and credentialed Education Specialists, integrating evidence-based ABA with a special-education academic program.
WASC-accredited nonpublic school run by the 135-year-old San Diego Center for Children, for students whose mental, emotional, and/or behavioral health challenges have significantly impacted school. Every teacher is credentialed in special education, with a high adult-to-student ratio and integrated clinical/therapeutic support. Serves IEPs noting autism, emotional disability, specific learning disability, mild/moderate intellectual disability, and other health impairment.
WASC-accredited and CDE-certified nonpublic school operated by The Institute for Effective Education, a long-established San Diego special-education nonprofit. A coeducational transition program for young adults (ages 18-22) with disabilities, focused on functional academics, independent-living, and vocational/work-readiness skills via district IEP placement.
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 county's largest district provides special-education-credentialed teachers and a continuum of placements for students with autism, learning disabilities, speech/language, and intellectual disabilities under each child's IEP. Programs change year to year.
A San Diego Unified specialized public campus serving students with moderate-to-severe support needs in a structured, dedicated special-education setting. Programs change year to year.
SDCOE-operated public special-education school serving up to 50 students ages 3-22 from southern San Diego County with multiple severe disabilities and health impairments in a multi-sensory, individualized environment. Programs change year to year.
Founded and directed by Dr. Joanna Savarese, a licensed clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, offering comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations for learning disorders, ADHD, and autism.
Pediatric and adult neuropsychology practice with board-certified neuropsychologists conducting comprehensive evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, and developmental concerns.
Rady Children's pediatric neuropsychology is led by Robert Gray, PhD, ABPP (Clinical & Training Director), board-certified in clinical neuropsychology with pediatric subspecialization — comprehensive evaluations of learning, attention, autism, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
A San Diego private practice (and Rady consultant group) with board-certified pediatric neuropsychologists, including Robert 'Rob' Gray, PhD, ABPP — thorough private evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism.
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.
The Academy's directory lists accredited Orton-Gillingham practitioners across San Diego — 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.
Center- and community-based autism diagnosis and ABA therapy accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), with BCBA-supervised programming for children with autism.
Research-based, BCBA-supervised ABA therapy providing center-based and in-home autism treatment in San Diego since 2004.
Evidence-based contemporary ABA with a clinical team led by doctoral-level (BCBA-D) analysts, offering individualized center- and home-based services for children with ASD.
Developmental pediatric speech-language and occupational therapy practice serving children with speech/language delay and autism, with OTs assessing sensory processing, motor coordination, and executive functioning.
Since 2001, a pediatric clinic of certified and licensed therapists providing speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children with special needs using current clinical methods.
Multidisciplinary clinic offering speech, myofunctional, and occupational therapy addressing fine-motor, sensory development, feeding, and daily-functioning skills across two San Diego locations.
A BHCOE-accredited multidisciplinary autism provider (Mission Valley) — medical care, ABA, speech, and occupational therapy under one roof for children ages 0–21, in clinic, home, and community.
A BHCOE-accredited San Diego provider delivering multidisciplinary therapeutic services — ABA, speech, and occupational therapy — for children with autism and special needs.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across San Diego (such as Autism Spectrum Therapies, Optimum Behavioral Health, and AIM Behavior Services) — the real quality bar.
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.
UCSD's developmental-behavioral pediatricians (at Rady Children's) — including Lauren Gist, MD, MPH — evaluate and treat autism, developmental and learning concerns, and genetic-related conditions, with clinics including the Autism Discovery Institute.
Rady Children's interdisciplinary autism programs — the Autism Discovery Institute and the John M. Sachs Family Clinic for Autism Spectrum Disorders — provide specialized diagnosis and care for autistic children.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving San Diego — the field's real professional standard.
The University of San Diego's Disability & Education Clinic provides free legal services to San Diego families on special-education and disability matters, delivered by supervised law students — a genuine no-cost option.
California's Office of Administrative Hearings publishes an official list of free and reduced-cost special-education advocates and attorneys statewide — a verified, no-cost starting point if money is tight.
San Diego State University's clinic (since 1941) provides no-cost and low-cost, donation-based speech and language evaluation and therapy for children — supervised graduate clinicians, two sessions a week.
EFRC is a San Diego California Early Start and family-resource point of entry — free assessment, service coordination, and parent-resource specialists to connect your child to early-intervention services.
SDSU's Center for Autism & Developmental Disorders offers university-based clinics, assessment, and services for children with autism and developmental disorders — research-grounded, accessible care.
SDRC is the California Regional Center for San Diego and Imperial Counties — one of 21 statewide. Most services are free regardless of age or income, and the diagnosis/eligibility assessment is free. If your child has (or may have) autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a related condition, start here — it's a state entitlement, not charity.
Federally funded and free — they help California families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
California'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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How do I start the special-education process in San Diego?
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 San Diego?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in California — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.