North County San Diego — Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos — has its own cluster of board-certified evaluators, specialized schools, and free options, but they're scattered. This is North County'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 →
San Diego's premier K-8 program for students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, using explicit, systematic, research-based instruction and small 8:1 classes. Serves families across North County and the wider San Diego region.
Nonprofit serving students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and other learning challenges across multiple San Diego campuses and learning centers; its Excelsior Academy program serves grades 2-12 with onsite designated instruction services. Draws students from across San Diego County.
State-certified nonpublic school program serving students ages 5-22 with developmental disabilities including autism, emotional disorders and behavioral concerns, operated by the established Vista Hill Foundation. Serves districts across San Diego County including North County.
Nonprofit, state-certified nonpublic school (a CAPSES member) serving K-12 students with autism, emotional and behavioral challenges and learning disabilities, with an 8:1 ratio and conflict-resolution support in every classroom. Operating since 1968.
Encinitas-based program providing assessments and evidence-based 1:1 educational therapy for students age 5 to adult with one or more learning disabilities, including autism. Located in coastal North County.
In Del Mar (coastal North County), The Winston School has educated twice-exceptional students who learn differently for 37+ years — dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD/ADHD, and high-functioning autism — accredited by NAIS, WASC, and CAPSES.
TERI's Country School (Oceanside) provides an integrated program for students ages 6–22 with autism, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities — a long-standing North County nonprofit serving complex needs.
The California Association of Private Special Education Schools lists state-certified nonpublic schools across North County (e.g. Balboa School in Escondido) — the verified way to find specialized, sometimes district-funded placements.
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 Special Education Local Plan Area coordinating IEP-driven programs and services for over 16,000 students across 14 coastal North County districts (Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Dieguito and more). Programs and placements change year to year.
Public multi-district SELPA serving 10 school districts in the northeast quadrant of San Diego County (Escondido, San Marcos, Valley Center and more), coordinating special-education programs and assurances. Programs change year to year.
San Diego State University clinic providing comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations across the lifespan (toddlers through adults), including diagnostic testing and assessment of intellectual and neurocognitive functioning. University-affiliated, faculty-supervised.
North County psychology practice providing comprehensive evaluations for children and teens for autism, ADHD, learning differences, anxiety and IQ; trained in the ADOS-2 and MIGDAS-2 and a San Diego Regional Center autism evaluator since 2012.
A San Diego practice with board-certified pediatric neuropsychology led by Rob Gray, PhD, ABPP — comprehensive evaluations of learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism for ages 2–25, serving North County families.
A San Diego practice where all providers are board-certified (ABPP-CN) Diplomates of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology — thorough pediatric and adolescent neuropsychological evaluations.
An Encinitas-based neuropsychology practice providing neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments for children and teens. Confirm the evaluator's ABPP board certification when you book.
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 North County — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor (Encinitas-area centers such as Banyan Tree Learning also provide dyslexia remediation).
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.
Oceanside clinic providing evidence-based pediatric ABA, speech, occupational and physical therapy under credentialed clinicians, serving children across coastal North County.
Established ABA provider with a center in Escondido offering comprehensive behavior assessments, individualized BCBA-designed treatment plans and parent training, with in-home services across Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista and beyond.
Center-based ABA program in Vista where Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) build foundational communication, social-interaction and school-readiness skills for children with autism.
Carlsbad family-oriented, play-based clinic providing licensed speech-language, occupational and physical therapy for children with speech, language and developmental needs.
Carlsbad speech-language practice providing evaluation and intervention for children with speech disorders, language delays, developmental conditions and selective mutism.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider with a Carlsbad (North County) clinic — quality applied behavior analysis for children and adolescents, accredited for clinical quality rather than ad spend.
Cortica's Carlsbad center provides multidisciplinary autism care for North County children up to 17 — medical care, ABA, speech, and occupational therapy in one coordinated model.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across North County (such as AIM Behavior Services) — the real quality bar, instead of guessing from ads or stars.
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.
Palomar Health's North County developmental services — including Healthy Development Services — provide screening, assessment, and treatment for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmental or behavioral concerns, partnering with Rady Children's specialists.
UCSD's board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians (at Rady Children's, serving the county including North County) evaluate and treat autism, ADHD, and developmental and learning concerns.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving North County — the field's real professional standard.
A North County special-education advocate serving San Marcos, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and surrounding communities — IEP support, meeting attendance, and school collaboration.
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.
Cal State San Marcos's clinic offers individual and group speech-language therapy for children at no or low cost (fall, spring, and summer sessions; waitlist common) — supervised graduate clinicians, right in North County.
Funded by First 5 San Diego, Healthy Development Services provides free developmental and behavioral screening, assessment, and treatment for young children with mild-to-moderate concerns who don't qualify for early intervention.
EFRC is a San Diego County 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.
SDRC (with a North County office) is the California Regional Center for the region — 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.