Getting Started
Regional Centers in the SF Bay Area
Regional Centers provide state-funded services to people with qualifying developmental disabilities. Contact them for an intake evaluation to see if your child is eligible. San Andreas Regional Center Serving Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties Golden Gate Regional Center Serving Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties Regional Center of the East Bay Serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties North Bay Regional Center Serving Sonoma, Solano, and Napa counties |
Dispute Resolution for Regional Center Clients
Disability Rights California: Office of Clients Rights Advocacy Provides free legal information, advice and representation to regional center clients. Area Board 5, State Council on Developmental Disabilities Monitors Golden Gate Regional Center and Regional Center of the East Bay Area Board 7, State Council on Developmental Disabilities Monitors San Andreas Regional Center Obtaining Benefits Benefits Education Center Phone: 562-881-6199 Email: info@benefitsec.com Requesting an ABA/Behavioral Intervention Treatment from your insurance company (PDF) |

VIDEO: Navigating Autism Services
This informative webinar is presented by Children's Health Council. Click here to access the video recording and slide deck. Navigating the service systems related to autism can be a confusing and overwhelming process. This presentation explains what the main service systems are and how to access them, including insurance, school district and regional center. Come learn about services in the community as well as what Children’s Health Council and Stanford provide.
This informative webinar is presented by Children's Health Council. Click here to access the video recording and slide deck. Navigating the service systems related to autism can be a confusing and overwhelming process. This presentation explains what the main service systems are and how to access them, including insurance, school district and regional center. Come learn about services in the community as well as what Children’s Health Council and Stanford provide.
General Resources
![]() Parents Helping Parents
Supports parents and families of children with many forms of disability with trainings, seminars, resources, a library, classes, mentoring, and groups. |
![]() Stanford Autism Center
Provides behavioral consultation, treatment, and counseling for children with autism and other developmental disorders. Stanford also offers half-day conferences educating parents about ASD as well as a monthly parent support group. |
![]() Early Support Program for Autism
A joint program between Stanford Children’s Health and Children’s Health Council to provide supportive services at no cost to families after diagnosis. Services include parent education, health care guidance, and help connecting with providers. |
![]() UCSF STAR Center for ASD & NDDs
Offers state-of-the-art, evidence-based, comprehensive assessment, treatment, and support for people with ASD, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. The STAR Center also provides parent support and helps them to connect with local resources. |
![]() Kaiser Permanente Autism Research Program
Kaiser's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Centers provide in-depth developmental screening and assessment and clinical consultation by a multidisciplinary team. There are three ASD Centers in Northern California--in San Jose, Rancho Cordova, and San Francisco. |
![]() UC Davis MIND Institute
Provides evidence-based assessments and treatments for both children and adults with neurodevelopmental conditions. The Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities is an associated program that offers educational resources, training, and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. |
![]() Achieving Independence - Educational Videos from the Dale Law Firm
Offers an archive of free webinar videos to educate and support persons with disabilities, their families and the professionals supporting them. Topics range from how to use the Individual Program Plan to planning for child support for children on public benefits. |
![]() Autism Speaks
This national organization provides an Autism Response Team (ART). Its members are specially trained to connect families with information, resources, and opportunities. They are available to answer calls and emails from 9am to 1pm local time. Call ART at (888) 288-4762 or email them at familyservices@autismspeaks.org. |
![]() Autism Source
Autism Source, created by the Autism Society national organization, provides a comprehensive database of autism resources. The organization also provides nationwide one-on-one information and referral Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476), or email info@autism-society.org. ![]() Autism Health Insurance Project
Helps families, providers and others secure health insurance and other coverage for autism related interventions such as direct assistance and advocacy for families, provider and employer consulting, and educational presentations and training. |
![]() 211 Bay Area is a free and confidential service available 24/7 that can help you connect with service providers, health and human service programs, and specialists like attorneys. They will even set up free phone consultations for you with someone who can help. Available in multiple languages. Dial 2-1-1 from your phone or visit 211bayarea.org.
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Please note this is a partial list of resources and does not purport to include all organizations serving people with autism. Inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. Organizations are listed at the discretion of Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area. The information is gathered primarily from public sources and is not guaranteed to be accurate. To suggest additions, please email info@sfautismsociety.org.