The Westside — Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, West LA, Brentwood, Venice, Pacific Palisades — has UCLA, top private evaluators, and specialized schools, but families still struggle to find the genuinely good help. This is the Westside'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 →
Fully WASC-accredited private school for grades 6-12 delivering one-student-to-one-teacher instruction, often used by students with learning, social or emotional differences who need a flexible, individualized setting.
Part of The Help Group (founded 1975, among the largest special-needs nonprofits in the U.S.), Village Glen is a college-prep day school for students pre-K through 12 with autism and communication, language or socialization differences. CDE-certified nonpublic school serving Westside families.
Private and CDE-certified nonpublic preschool-kindergarten in Santa Monica using a relationship-based DIR/Floortime model for young children with autism and developmental differences, with low 4:1–5:1 ratios.
A Santa Monica school committed to neurodiversity — its Spectrum Program supports academically capable students (grades 6–12) with autism and other learning differences within typical classes, with a daily focus on social and real-world skills.
Frostig School West (on Mulholland, serving West Los Angeles) teaches elementary–high school students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, processing disorders, ADHD, high-functioning autism, and anxiety.
Just over the hill in Encino, Westmark is a college-prep school for bright students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences — a frequent choice for Westside families willing to commute.
Founded 1983, Grades 2-12 (adding Grade 1 in 2026-27). One of LA's premier independent schools exclusively for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and other diagnosed language-based learning disabilities. Research-based multisensory instruction; member of the LD Schools Association and Dyslexia LA. Squarely in the league of The Siena School / Katherine Thomas School.
Westside (Culver City) campus of The Help Group's flagship autism school, K-12. Serves students with autism spectrum disorder, non-verbal learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, ADHD and related social/communication challenges. The Help Group is the largest nonprofit special-education provider of its kind in the U.S. (founded 1975) and operates state-certified nonpublic day schools.
The Help Group's main Westside campus housing multiple specialized day schools (Bridgeport School K-12, plus programs like STEM3 Academy and Summit View School for LD). State-certified nonpublic schools with certified special-ed staff, small classes, individualized curricula, and integrated speech, OT and counseling. Serves autism, learning disabilities, ADHD and developmental/emotional needs.
Operating since 1984 in the LAX/Westchester area of the Westside, Carousel is a CDE-certified nonpublic school serving Kindergarten through high school for students with moderate to severe disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, Asperger's, Down syndrome, fragile X, traumatic brain injury, ADHD and communication disorders. Meets or exceeds all state program requirements.
Founded 1994, Grades 4-12 college-prep school for twice-exceptional (gifted with learning differences) students — autism, ADHD, executive-function and processing challenges, mild dyslexia. Anchors a national 2e ecosystem (Bridges Graduate School, 2e Center for Research & Professional Development). Nationally recognized authority on 2e education with certified specialized staff. ~15 mi from the Westside in Studio City.
Nonpublic school on the campus of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services (founded 1908) on the Westside (Palms/Cheviot Hills area). Therapeutic special-education program for secondary students (Grades 9-12+) with behavioral, emotional and learning challenges, integrated with the agency's mental-health and autism services. Listed in the California Association of Private Special Education Schools (CAPSES) directory.
Long-established nonprofit nonpublic school serving Grades 5-12, certified by the CDE to serve IEP eligibilities including Specific Learning Disability, Emotional Disturbance, Other Health Impairment/ADHD, Speech-Language Impairment and Autism. Small, supportive setting with related services. Serves South Bay and Greater LA, ~12 mi from the Westside.
Established Westside (Santa Monica) independent school whose Spectrum Program provides students with autism and related learning differences structured supports while participating in typical college-prep classes. WASC/CAIS-accredited with credentialed staff; an inclusive-model option for higher-functioning students who can access a mainstream curriculum with scaffolding.
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 district with a structured special-education department, level-specific SpEd coordinators, a Special Education Advisory Committee (SEDAC) and a Parent Resource Network covering literacy, math and autism. Programs change year to year—confirm current offerings with the district.
LAUSD's Division of Special Education serves Westside neighborhoods (Westwood, Mar Vista, Palms, Venice, Pacific Palisades) with the full IDEA continuum—assessment, IEPs, specialized programs and related services. Programs change year to year; verify the current placement at your local school.
Tuition-free public charter recognized for a full-inclusion model that educates students with and without disabilities in the same classrooms with push-in special-education support. Programs change year to year—confirm current capacity and services.
Public district serving Culver City and adjacent Westside areas with IEP-driven special-education services, inclusion supports and related therapies across its schools. Programs change year to year; confirm current offerings.
A board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA's Semel Institute — rigorous pediatric neuropsychological evaluation of learning, attention, autism, and neurodevelopmental concerns.
A West LA practice (Dr. Jesse Fischer and colleagues) specializing in neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents — learning disorders, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental concerns. Confirm the evaluator's ABPP board certification when you book.
A licensed neuropsychologist serving Santa Monica and the Westside, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA — comprehensive pediatric and adolescent evaluations. Ask about board certification in clinical neuropsychology.
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 Westside — the gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, verified by training rather than advertising.
Lindamood-Bell's intensive, research-based reading and comprehension programs (with Westside learning centers) are a well-established option 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.
Psychological and ABA services for children with autism led by Doug Moes, a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, delivered in home and community settings across the Westside.
Westside clinical team providing ABA delivered by behavior technicians under BCBA supervision, alongside speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, for children with autism in Culver City, Santa Monica and West LA.
Long-established ABA provider with BCBA-supervised programs serving Los Angeles families in home, clinic and community settings; part of a national autism-services network.
Pediatric speech-language pathology practice for Santa Monica and Westside communities, directed by Sarah Clifford Scheflen, M.S., CCC-SLP.
Pediatric clinic offering occupational, physical and speech therapy in Santa Monica and West LA, staffed by licensed occupational therapists (OTR/L) and CCC-SLP speech-language pathologists.
Medical care, ABA, speech, and occupational therapy under one roof for children with autism — a coordinated, whole-child model with LA-area locations serving the Westside.
MeBe provides in-home ABA across the Westside and Santa Monica, plus speech and occupational therapy — a coordinated team for autistic children. Verify current BHCOE accreditation and BCBA supervision.
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence directory lists ABA providers that passed a rigorous quality review — the real bar for choosing ABA on the Westside, 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.
Board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians at UCLA (Westwood) evaluate and diagnose autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and developmental differences — the medical anchor for a strong IEP, right on the Westside.
Children's Hospital LA's developmental-behavioral clinic (led by Dr. Douglas Vanderbilt) — comprehensive diagnosis for autism, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental concerns.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the Westside — the field's real professional standard.
A Santa Monica special-education firm that helps parents navigate IEP meetings, compliance complaints, mediation, and due process hearings across Southern California.
A Santa Monica special-education law firm advocating for students not receiving legally required services — from assessments and IEPs through due process.
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.
UCLA's training clinic — right on the Westside — provides comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments with income-based fees: gold-standard testing well below typical private cost (ask about current availability).
One of the nation's largest community health centers (Venice/Santa Monica) — free or low-cost pediatric care, developmental screening, and mental-health support for low-income Westside families.
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.
Westside Regional Center serves the Santa Monica–West LA and Inglewood health districts — one of 21 California Regional Centers. 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 Westside Los Angeles?
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 Westside Los Angeles?
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.