The San Gabriel Valley — Pasadena, Glendale, Arcadia, Alhambra, Monrovia, South Pasadena — has board-certified evaluators, the region's flagship learning-differences school (Frostig), and strong bilingual advocacy, but it's scattered and hard to sort. This is the SGV'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 →
California Department of Education-certified nonpublic school dedicated to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, operated by the Institute for the Redesign of Learning (serving the region since 1974). Combines academics with clinical and behavioral supports.
Private 1st-12th grade school for students with language-based learning disabilities including dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorder and ADHD. Orton-Gillingham (via IMSE training) is the foundation of its language-arts curriculum.
Full-service certified nonpublic school serving San Gabriel-area SELPA students with autism, emotional disturbance, other health impairment and specific learning disabilities via IEP placement. Small-class, individualized academic and behavioral support.
Specialized nonpublic school of The Help Group (founded 1975) for students with high-functioning autism, ADHD and social-communication challenges. WASC-accredited and CDE-certified, using an evidence-based social-skills framework; serves families across greater LA including the San Gabriel Valley.
The San Gabriel Valley's flagship learning-differences school (Pasadena, since the 1950s) — WASC-accredited, grades 1–12, a 6:1 ratio, and special-education-credentialed teachers. Serves students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, high-functioning autism, and complex learning challenges.
The California Association of Private Special Education Schools lists state-certified nonpublic schools across the San Gabriel Valley — the verified way to find specialized placements beyond Frostig.
Long-established (since the 1950s) special-education day school for grades 1-12 with diagnosed learning differences: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, processing disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and high-functioning autism. Classes capped around 12 students with all-special-education-credentialed teachers, individualized learning plans, onsite clinical/therapy services, arts, and high-school transition planning. Right in the San Gabriel Valley; second campus in West LA.
State-certified nonpublic special-education day school in the San Gabriel Valley serving students with severe learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, autism spectrum disorders, mild cognitive impairment, and other health impairments. Therapeutic, structured program with pre-vocational and vocational opportunities embedded throughout; placement is IEP-driven via the district. Operated by the established Institute for the Redesign of Learning.
Premier independent language-based school (grades 2-12) for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other diagnosed language-based learning disabilities. Founded 1983; differentiated, structured-literacy instruction delivered all day rather than as a pull-out, with specialist-trained faculty and a strong college-prep track record. In Encino, within ~30 miles of the San Gabriel Valley.
Established independent school (grades 1-8) specializing in dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Delivers daily Orton-Gillingham structured literacy in groups of five or fewer, with O-G instructors trained and certified through the Dyslexia Training Institute. Strong, decades-long dyslexia track record. In North Tustin (Orange County), within ~35 miles of the San Gabriel Valley.
College-prep school (grades 4-12) for twice-exceptional (2e) learners who are gifted and also have learning differences such as autism, ADHD, executive-functioning challenges, processing deficits, and mild dyslexia. Nationally recognized 2e specialist program with credentialed faculty. In Studio City, within ~25 miles of the San Gabriel Valley.
College-preparatory special-education day school for students with autism spectrum disorder and social-communication, language, and socialization differences. Part of The Help Group, the largest nonprofit of its kind in the U.S. (founded 1975), operating multiple credentialed, evidence-based campuses across the LA area. Within ~25-30 miles of the San Gabriel Valley.
State-certified nonpublic school (operating since 1984) serving children with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, and communication disorders, from preschool through high school plus an adult program. IEP-driven placement, specialized staff, and structured therapeutic programming. In Southwest LA, within ~25-30 miles of the San Gabriel Valley.
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.
Consortium of 14 public school districts (Arcadia, Alhambra, Monrovia, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City and more) coordinating free special-education services and specialized programs along the 210/10 corridors. Programs change year to year — confirm current placements with the SELPA or your district.
Public SELPA serving eastern San Gabriel Valley districts; runs an evidence-based Autism Spectrum Disorder program for students with mild ASD focused on independence, social and communication skills. Programs change year to year — verify current offerings with the SELPA.
PUSD operates its own SELPA with an inclusion-model continuum of special-education services and least-restrictive-environment placements across its schools. Free and federally mandated; programs change year to year — confirm current placement options with the district.
High-performing district whose Special Education Department delivers free, IEP-driven services within the West San Gabriel Valley SELPA, including autism and learning-disability supports. Programs change year to year — verify current offerings with the district.
District special-education department providing free, IEP-based services and related supports within the West San Gabriel Valley SELPA. Programs change year to year — confirm current placements and related services with the district.
Nationally recognized university center affiliated with the USC Keck School of Medicine and Children's Hospital LA, providing interdisciplinary developmental, behavioral and autism diagnostic evaluations with treatment recommendations. Serving the developmental-disability community for 50+ years.
Pasadena practice offering comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and autism testing for children, adolescents, college students and adults, conducted by licensed psychologists.
Provides child and adolescent neuropsychological evaluations using a collaborative team approach combining a licensed psychologist and a board-certified child & adolescent psychiatrist.
Pasadena practice led by a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in neurodevelopmental assessment for autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, OCD and gifted/twice-exceptional populations.
A practice with neuropsychologists board-certified by ABPP (and AACN) — Dr. Shivani Saible and Dr. Scott Porter — providing comprehensive child and adolescent evaluations that identify learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and giftedness.
A UCLA-trained clinical neuropsychologist (Insight Collective, South Pasadena) specializing in assessments for ADHD, autism, and cognitive/learning disorders. Confirm ABPP board certification when you book.
A Pasadena interdisciplinary center offering neuropsychological, psychological, and developmental assessments for learning differences, autism, ADHD, and twice-exceptional profiles — plus educational and occupational therapy under one roof.
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 the San Gabriel Valley — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, verified by training rather than advertising.
Lindamood-Bell's Pasadena learning center offers intensive, research-based reading and comprehension instruction for dyslexia and reading struggles — ask about an evaluation and intensive blocks.
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.
ABA provider serving Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, directed by Dr. Gregory M. Elsky, a Licensed Behavior Analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctorate (BCBA-D).
Pediatric clinic in Arcadia/Pasadena providing speech, occupational, physical and feeding therapy plus AAC evaluations for infants and children, with in-clinic, in-home, in-school and teletherapy options across the San Gabriel Valley.
Pediatric clinic founded by Dr. Talin Yacoubian, OTD, OTR/L, providing occupational, speech, physical and feeding therapy for children with autism, sensory-processing challenges and developmental delays; serves Pasadena and greater LA.
Established Pasadena pediatric therapy clinic providing occupational, physical and speech therapy plus nutrition services for children from birth through the mid-teens.
A BHCOE-accredited ABA provider offering research-based home- and center-based autism treatment across Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley — accredited for clinical quality, not chosen by ad spend.
A BHCOE-accredited South Pasadena provider delivering multidisciplinary services — ABA, speech, and occupational therapy — in schools, homes, clinics, and online for children with special needs.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists accredited ABA providers across the SGV (such as Autism Spectrum Therapies in San Gabriel and Inizio Interventions in Pasadena) — 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.
Children's Hospital LA's developmental-behavioral pediatrics (Sunset Blvd, close to the SGV) — board-certified diagnosis and care for autism, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental concerns.
For Kaiser members in the San Gabriel Valley, board-certified developmental pediatricians evaluate and diagnose autism and developmental concerns within the Kaiser system.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the San Gabriel Valley — the field's real professional standard.
A San Gabriel Valley special-education firm handling FAPE, placement disputes, IEP enforcement, mediation, and due process — and they work in English and Spanish. Free initial consultation.
A Pasadena special-education law office representing families in IEP disputes, placement, and due process across Southern California.
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.
LA County's free Help Me Grow program screens children for developmental and behavioral concerns and connects families to services — a no-cost first step if you're worried but unsure where to begin.
UCLA's training clinic provides comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments with income-based fees — gold-standard testing well below typical private cost (ask about current availability).
For eligible residents, LA County DMH provides free or low-cost mental-health assessments and services — a safety net when private evaluation isn't affordable.
SG/PRC is the California Regional Center for the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys — 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. Call to begin an eligibility screening.
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.
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How do I start the special-education process in San Gabriel Valley?
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 Gabriel Valley?
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.