Developmental and Behavioral Disability Resources

  • Regional Centers:
    • Services for people with developmental disabilities including developmental delay, autism, CP and seizure disorders. Case management agency to identify services in a client’s IPP and contracts with service providers in the community to provide those services. Services include help with independent living or living in a licensed care facililty, day programs (including community employment), advocacy, community edication, parent training, referrals and case management.
    • Early Intervention, 0-3: evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for children ages 0-3.
    • When a child turns 3:
    • Before a child turns 3, a plan is made. If child continues to be eligible for Regional Center services, a transition occurs from Early Intervention to a school age unit. At age 14, children transition from a school unit to one of the Ongoing Units.
  • LA County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS): 888-944-4477 or 213-744-4477
    • Helps pay for in-home services for disabled children and for low-income elderly or blind people.
  • Early Start/Early Intervention Central Directory
    • Provides family members and service providers resources for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities or delays and concerns. Find out who is eligible for services, how to be referred, what early start means and where to get help atwww.dds.ca.gov/EarlyStart or call 800-515-2229
  • Koch Young Resource Center/Lanterman Center: Helpline: 213-383-1300
    • Information, education and support for people with developmental disabilities and their families, staff and the community. They have support groups including age, disability and geographic-specific groups, a peer support partner program that offers one-on-one family support from trained and experienced family members (www.lanterman.org/psm), education and training, information on a multitude of disability-related topics.
  • PCDA (Professional Child Development Associates): 626-793-7350 (English), 626-793-7350 (Spanish), 620 North Lake Ave., Pasadena
    • Offers multidisciplinary screenings, evaluation, therapy and specialized services for kids birth through 21 if there is a concern about development, behavior, social relationships. They utilize a DIRFloortime, relationship-based approach. Available services include OT, feeding and nutrition, speech and language, child and family counseling, programs for birth to 5, 3-12, teens/young adults, creative arts and special Olympics young athletes program.
  • Fiesta Educativa: 323-221-6696, 2310 Pasadena Ave. Los Angeles CA
    • Information and training for Latino Families on how to obtain services for people with disabilities. Home-based parent education and training program, advocacy and outreach projects assisting families and persons with disabilities to make the best use of the agencies and resources in their community. Connection to PARENT 2 PARENT, peer mentoring program.
  • Fuerza: 1-800-200-4323 or 323-726-2418, West Covina
    • Website in Spanish. Information line, education and resources, symposiums and special events for families with children with disabilities including autism, down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental retardation
  • Early childhood Special Education Services, LA USD: 213-241-4713
    • For children 0-3 who have been identified with hearing loss, visual impairment or severe orthopedic impairment. Provides special eductation services.
  • The Children’s Foundation: 310-773-9366, 5350 Machado Rd. Culver City
    • Partners with Regional Centers to provide behavioral interventions. Offers pre-school for developmentally disabled and typical children, mommy and me classes, parent support groups, parent education and training, couples therapy, crisis counseling, on-site food bank, family resource center, medical assessments and care for navigating the medical system, services for children with feeding issues, feeding tube issues, behavior, issues motor control and neurological issues. Home-based programs including education, therapeutic interventions, occupational, speech and physical therapies and personal social skills. Independent living program for adults.
  • California Children’s Services (CCS)
    • The Medical Therapy Program (MTP) is program within CCS that provides PT, OT and medical therapy conference (MTC) for children who have disabling conditions generally due to neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. Patients can be referred by a parents, teacher or medical provider. Once eligibility is determined, the child is referred to local Medical Therapy Unit (MTU) for a therapy eval – these are usually in schools. PT, OT and case management are provided at the MTU’s.
  • Boone Fetter Clinic, CHLA: 323-361-6102, 1300 N. Vermont Ave. LA
    • Comprehensive assessment, follow-up care and care coordination for developmental, behavioral and autism spectrum disorders including neurodevelopment, behavior, attention, sensory processing, feeding difficulties and social-emotional development. Multidisciplinary team including developmental behavioral pediatricians, psychologists, speech/language pathologists and occupational therapists.
  • UCEDD (Branch of CHLA): 323-361-2350, intake: 323-361-1017 565997827, 4650 Sunset Blvd. LA.
    • Same services as Boone Fetter Clinic, CHLA
  • Miller Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center
  • Tichenor Clinic for Children: 562-597-3696, 1660 Termino Ave. Long Beach, CA
    • Non –profit: $10 entrance fee, then no payments.
    • Programs: early intervention for 18-36 month olds with developmental delay. Speech, PT, OT, swim program for children with developmental, musculoskeletal, neurological issues – water safety and foundational swimming concepts. Bilingual parent support program, meet the 2nd and 3rd Friday of each month from 10am to noon.
  • Pediatric Therapy Network: 310-328-0276, 1406 Obispo Ave. Long Beach, CA
    • Torrance: 310-328-0276
    • Assessment, PT, OT, Speech, early intervention, behavioral services, social skills and community integration for children with developmental delay, learning disabilities, orthopedic and neurological challenges, autism-spectrum disorders and sports-related injuries.
    • Serves children of all abilities including those with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, developmental delays, orthopedic and neurological challenges and sports-related injuries. They offer speech-language therapy, OT, PT, early intervention, early start Denver model social skills, early head start, telehealth consulting and camp escapades for children. They also have in-home services.
  • Pediatric OT at County Hospitals
    • County providers can refer pediatric patients for OT through ORCHID. Pediatric OT is available at Olive View, MLK, Harbor, and Rancho Los Amigos.
    • For Rancho, place order for “Speech Language Pathology Outpatient Pediatric Evaluation and Treatment.”
  • Wellnest (formerly Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic):323-766-2345, 3787 S. Vermont Ave. LA, walk-in clinic, M-F, 8am-noon.
    • Early intervention including intensive day treatment for children 2-5 with aggression, tantrums, hyperactivity, impulsivity and other behavior issues, infant massage, support services to strengthen the child caregiver bond and a drop in center for one-on-one support and necessities like clothing shoes, hygiene products and diapers and links to other needed services. Outpatient psychiatric services including child parent psychotherapy, trauma-focused CBT, PPP, trauma therapy, crisis oriented recovery, seeking safety.
  • Child Development Institute (CDI): 818-888-4559, Main office: 6340 Variel Ave. Suite A, Woodland Hills, CA
    • They do not take Medi-cal for PT and PT services but have free early learning center for children 0-6 and their families. Free developmental screenings on 3rd Saturday of the month (autism screenings and screen for developmental and mental health issues) with linkage to appropriate resources. Special ed attorney available for free consultation to assist parents in advocating for their child. Free help with access to services, ex: if patient doesn’t have a computer and needs to do an application or needs help with linkage to services, they will help.
  • CAN Clinic, UCLA Child and Adult Neurodevelopmental Clinic: 310-794-4008
    • For infant and preschool-age services: contact Dr. Karin Best at (310) 206-2210 or kbest@mednet.ucla.edu.
    • Evaluation and treatment for children with suspected disorders of social, cognitive, language and motor development including autism spectrum disorders. All ages -toddlers through adult.
  • The Children’s Collective, Inc.: 310-733-4388, 8616 La Tijera Blvd., suite 100, LA
    • Developmental, prevention and early intervention services for children ages 0-5, mental health services for individuals and families including behavioral assessments and therapy. Trauma-focused. Food and nutrition education. After-school (arts, rec and sports) programs and summer programs for children ages 7-13. Case management, family counseling, resources and referrals for health, legal, housing, child care, utilities, support and referral services for high-risk pregnant/parenting AA women and their infants. Parenting. Employment training, advocacy. Adult ed, ESL, financial literacy, citizenship. Computer lab and library. Free tax prep support.
  • Easter Seals
    • NOTE: only children with Kaiser insurance qualify at present
    • DURING COVID: Telehealth or video conferencing for ABA, PT and OT services.
    • Regular services include head start/early head start, day care, disability services, health services, mental health services, nutrition support, family support, home-based support. Must have Kaiser insurance.
    • Locations:
    • Bellflower (562-804-4686), Torrance, Cerritos, Gardena, Glendale, Lancaster, LA, Culver City, Irvine, Escondido, Montebello, Brea, Burbank, Van Nuys, West Covina, Montclair, Ontario, Upland and more:
  • Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles: 323-361-7827, 323-361-6102
    • Diagnosis and evaluation of learning, behavior and attention problems, treatment for autism spectrum disorders, individual and group therapy for severe emotional and behavioral issues, assessment of feeding, growth and nutrition problems, assessment of learning disabilities and plans for treatment for patients of CHLA or Spa 4 (Boyle Heights, Central City, Downtown LA, Echo Park, El Sereno, Hollywood, Mid-City Wilshire, Monterey Hills, Mount Washington, Silverlake, West Hollywood, and Westlake).
  • LAC-USC Outpatient Psychiatry: 323-442-4000 or 424-306-5700, 2250 Alcazar St. Suite 2200, LA, CA
    • Patient’s family can call to schedule intake appointment
    • 1-800-854-7771 emergency access line, 24/7
    • Evaluation for developmental and behavioral disorders as part of the early childhood clinic.
    • Psychiatric evaluation, med management, psychological testing, individual and family therapy, CBT for children and teens up to 18. Adult outpatient psychiatry department for patients over 18.
  • Harbor-UCLA Developmental Behavioral Clinic: 424-306-6159 or email kdoby@dhs.lacounty.gov, 1000 W. Carson St. Carson, CA
    • High-Risk Infant Needs Center and Behavioral Clinic for school-age children whose parents need help assessing IEP and formulating a plan.
  • SEEK: 626-943-7772, X110, 9060 Huntington Dr. San Gabriel CA, info@seekinformation.org
    • Intensive behavioral assessment and treatment, ages 2-22 with developmental disabilities.
    • In-home educational services. Customized learning program to improve skills in communication, observation, social and following instructions.
  • CDC Milestones
    • Milestones in Spanish and English ages 2 mos-5 yrs. Includes video and photo examples of milestones listed. Also lists concerning signs.
  • Family Focus Resource Center, 661-945-9589, 1028 W. Ave. L12, Lancaster, CA, M-F, 9am-2pm
    • Family support services for children with developmental delay or developmental disabilities, from birth through adulthood
  • Community Therapies and Baby Steps
    • Lancaster : 661-945-7878
    • Works with children and adults with various disabilities. Provides speech/language therapy, specialized programs for language and reading, early intervention for birth to three with developmental delays, disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, occupational therapy, sensory integration, nutrition, behavior, social skills/friendship groups, family support groups, infant massage, relationship building for parent/child
  • Alma Family Services: 232-526-4016
    • Mental health services for children teens, adults, prevention and early intervention (PEI) mental health services, pre-school center, family and peer support groups, juvenile justice prevention and intervention programs, aquatic programs for infants to seniors and for those with special needs, Socialization and community integration and applied behavioral analysis programs for people with developmental disabilities including intellectual, CP, epilepsy, autism and other similar conditions.
    • Locations:
      • Centro Estrella Alma Family Resource and Aquatic Center: 1-323-881-3977, 4701 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. LA, CA
      • Centro Maravilla Service Center: 323-260-2804, 323-780-7986, 4716 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. LA CA, M-F 8am-5pm
        • Health, educational, social and recreational activities, referrals, form completion assistance, translation services, food bank, resource fairs, community forums, income tax assistance, unlawful detainer assistance, mediation services.
  • Life Steps Foundation: 805-242-8147
    • Locations: Lancaster, Arroyo Grande
    • Early intervention for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities or delays with one-on-one training to promote development of language and improve motor, cognitive, social-emotional and self-help skills.
  • Pathpoint Services
    • Locations:
      • Chatsworth: 818-773-9570
      • Lancaster: 661-723-7484
    • Vocational services, independent living support programs for clients with developmental delay or developmental disabilities. Community access services. Day program for clients transitioning out of developmental centers.
  • Masada Homes: 661-726-5500
    • Locations:
      • Gardena: (FSP-Child/MAT program/wraparound services): 310-715-2020
      • Bellflower (wraparound program): 562-804-3100
      • Norwalk (Adult): 310-747-3165
      • Rancho Cucamonga (outpatient services/therapeutic behavioral services): : 909-476-9802
      • Lancaster: 661-726-5500
      • Lynwood: (school-based services) 310-762-6929
      • Hawaiian Gardens (school-based services): 310-715-2020, X222 or 243
    • Collaborative program between DCFS and DMH, multi-disciplinary team approach. Therapeutic behavior services, early intervention services (PEI), mental health services for children 0-5, wraparound services, outpatient mental health, psychological assessment, medication management, substance use and vocational services (PEI), school-based services, case management, caregiver services.
  • The Autism Society
    • Handouts and educational materials for parents, siblings, friends and educators of people on living with autism. The autism society has a wealth of information about autistic spectrum disorders including how to navigate finding appropriate medical, mental health and behavioral treatment, finding legal resources, personal stories and a blog for families.
  • Family Resource Centers Network of CA
    • Website offers info on parent-to-parent support, resources in multiple languages, a newsletter, websites, parent-to-parent groups, sibling support groups and information and referral information for parents and professionals. Most of the services are for ages 0-3 but in some cases for older children as well. To subscribe to receive updated info from resource centers, staff and parents, email:
    • FRCNetworkCA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  • Hathaway Sycamores Child and Family Services: 1-844-222-2377, referrals@hscfs.org
    • Locations: Pasadena, Altadena, Covina, Commerce, Lancaster, LA, Pacoima
    • Therapeutic behavior services, wraparound services, treatment for co-occuring disorders, outpatient mental health services, medication management, home-based services, residential, family center, learning lab (social skills, tutoring, SAT prep, computer lab, enrichment programs during school breaks), transitional independent living, school-based services, transitional independent living, foster care and adoption services, intensive treatment foster care, advocacy services.
  • LA CARE In-Home Supportive Services for families with children with disabilities: 1-855-427-1223
  • Hillsides: 323-274-3075 (Central intake number)
    • Locations: LA, Pasadena, Baldwin Park, Glendale, Burbank, Palmdale
    • Partners with community organization and schools throughout LA county to offer at-risk families and children counseling, parenting classes, mental health support and resources, residential and day school for children who cannot live at home, who have suffered trauma or have severe emotional, psychological and behavioral challenges, grades K-12. In-home services for newborn to 21. Services for transitional youth including providing former foster youth with affordable housing, help with employment.
  • Casa LA
    • Main office, Monterey Park: 323-859-2888
    • Antelope Valley Office: 661-723-2219
    • Advocacy and support for children 0 through 21 who live in LA and have an open juvenile dependency case (foster care), and concern about developmental, medical or educational needs. Educational rights holders and developmental services decision makers available. Mentors also help with permanency, support in pursuing college and career training for transitional-age youth.
  • Free To Be: 818-366-6682
    • Placement of children and adults with severe physical, learning and behavior challenges in certified family homes to help them develop and overcome behavioral challenges. Referral needed from regional service coordinator. Children in the program usually transfer to Free To Be’s Adult Residential Program. Service area: SanFernando, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, E. Ventura County.
  • Parents Helping Parents: under “support” and see “Calendar” for group times
    • Parent support groups for parents of children/teens with anxiety and mood disorders, Autism Speaks Series, Special Needs Parenting group, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Parent Support Group, Japanese support group, Parents of Adult Children with Developmental Disabilities Support Group, parents of Neurodiverse College/Career Young Adults Support Group, Paths to Positive Adulting, Parent Support Group, BFF project – fostering friendships among people with Autism or developmental disabilities, and a creativity workshop.
    • NOTE: under eLearning on the website, there are short videos for parents on tons of topics from creating a healthy diet for a child who is a picky-eater, to coping with parenting a child with developmental disabilities.
  • The Braille Institute: 323-663-1111
    • Los Angeles Center: 741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA
      • Child development program for children ages 0-6 and youth program for ages 7019. Offers range of services to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired in southern California and library of braille books for free.
  • Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
    • Offers a variety of free services online. All students in Los Angeles Unified School District are automatically issued a library card and can look up their number online even without having a physical card. Free online tutoring is available M-F 11am-11pm for all grades and levels. Online test prep is available for standardized tests. Offers online storytime for young children and an online kindergarten readiness program. Access to e-books and audiobooks.

Return to the Resource Guide for Pediatric Patients and Their Families Index

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