Bakersfield, California, is a city found almost exactly between Fresno and Los Angeles; each are about 100 miles from Bakersfield (Fresno to the north, Los Angeles to the south).

Special Education Bakersfield

Though too far from these cities to take advantage of their special education resources, parents, teachers and students seeking special education support and information can find several organizations within Bakersfield to meet their needs. These organizations include mainly educational institutions and nonprofit agencies.

Educational Resources for Special Needs Professionals and Families

The Bakersfield City School District provides speech, language and physical therapy services to special education students. On the school’s website, teachers will find links to procedural safeguards, special education curriculum information and IEP preparation forms. Parents can access links to a special education handbook as well as information about the Community Advisory Committee, which holds meetings addressing a variety of special education topics such as intervention strategies and support services.

The Kern County Consortium Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) consists of 44 schools districts and three charter schools and is based in Bakersfield. The SELPA offers parent training through workshops and a video library. It also oversees an Early Start program. In addition, personnel development programs are offered.

The Stockdale Learning Center provides educational therapy services for children with learning disabilities. The center will run diagnostic testing and employ intervention techniques. Advocacy services and workshops for parents are also offered here.

Recreational, Legal and Support Resources for Special Education Students and Parents

From awareness programs to social skills development, a few organizations based in Bakersfield focus on support for special education families. Some of these organizations focus on specific developmental or learning disorders, while others have broad programs that encompass more than one disability.

The Kern Autism Network, an affiliate chapter of the Autism Society, hosts monthly family and sibling support group meetings and workshops to help children build social skills as well as an annual Autism Awareness Conference.

Special Education Bakersfield

Bakersfield’s Valley Achievement Center has an afterschool program and a social skills program for autistic children. It also operates an Early Start program for pre-schoolers, which includes behavior analysis and transition planning.

H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Family Resource Center in Bakersfield offers parents support workshops, mentoring and assistance with IEP development. There’s also fun, social events for special needs children and their families, an educational program using puppets for 4th-grade students to help them understand about learning and developmental disorders, and activities for siblings of special education children.

Bakersfield is also home to the Society for Disabled Children, which supplies speech and language therapy and social activities which could include games, pasta dinners, rock wall climbing and even flying. The Society also oversees a summer camp for children with disabilities.

For legal support and advice, special education parents in Bakersfield can turn to California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG). CSNLG can assist parents with Individual Education Plan (IEP) development and help to mediate disputes between special education parents and school systems. Their services are available throughout the state.

Valencia is an upscale neighborhood in Santa Clarita, California; thus, special education teachers, parents and students would find resources mainly in that city.

Special Education Valencia

Special education resources for Valencia residents can also be explored in other nearby areas, such as Burbank and Altadena. These resources are offered mainly through nonprofit organizations focusing on a specific learning or developmental disorder, such as autism or Asperger’s syndrome.

Educational Resources for Special Education Teachers, Parents and Students in Valencia

The Santa Clarita Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) offers meetings addressing behavior intervention plans and strategies as well as aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Parents will also find networking opportunities through the SELPA, in addition to workshops. Special education training is also provided.

The Community Advisory Committee, in addition to workshops and meetings, also oversees advocacy and outreach practices.

Through the SELPA’s website, parents can access documents containing information about parents’ rights and a glossary of special education terms.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) offers counseling, mobility instruction, and speech, language, occupational and physical therapy services to special education students. LACOE also offers an Early Start program for special needs children.

Other Special Education Resources Available to Valencia Teachers, Parents and Students

The two organizations closest to Valencia that provide special education information and support for professionals and parents are found in Santa Clarita. They are the Family Focus Center of California State University – Northridge and the Santa Clarita Autism Asperger Network (SCAAN).

The former offers support groups, IEP training and parent mentoring at its Santa Clarita branch, which is located in the North Los Angeles County Regional Center. SCAAN is a networking and support service for special needs families.

Special Education Valencia

About 25 miles southeast of Valencia, the SFV (San Fernando Valley) Autism Families in North Hollywood hosts  workshops, lectures and conferences for parents. Activities designed to build social skills for autistic children are also provided.

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) holds monthly meetings in both North Hollywood and Burbank. Burbank is about 28 miles outside of Valencia. These meetings can feature educational speakers and allow for special education parents to network with other parents.

About 38 miles southeast, in Altadena, California, Education Spectrum offers programs for children with autism, Asperger’s and related disorders and their families. Parent training sessions conducted by the organization targets behavioral management and intervention strategies and techniques. Children can attend social skills camps and individual or family therapy programs.

Valencia parents of special education children who might need or be interested in legal advice or support can turn to California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG). Though based in Pasadena, the law firm offers its services, which include conflict mediation and IEP development assistance, throughout the state.

Palmdale is a city located about 60 miles north of Los Angeles. Parents, students and professionals seeking special education information and support can tap into some resources in the city, but in most cases will have to venture beyond Palmdale’s borders to find relevant organizations.

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While a bit too far from L.A. for Palmdale residents to explore special education organizations and resources provided by that city, parents, students and teachers can look to nearby Lancaster, Santa Clarita and surrounding areas for information sources and supportive services.

Educational Resources for Palmdale Teachers, Students and Parents

The Palmdale School District provides various services for special education students, including occupational therapy, counseling, early intervention and speech and language pathology.

On the school’s website, parents can find links to parents’ rights as well as a directory for youth and family services in the community. These would include support groups and mental health services.

The Antelope Valley SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) has its office set up in Palmdale. The SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee and offers information about parents’ rights on its website. The SELPA also provides professional development workshops for special education teachers.

Powerline Programs is based in Palmdale and has a reading program designed for students with learning disabilities.

The Palmdale location of Penny Lane Centers, which offers mental health and family services in many areas of Southern California, hosts a day school for children with developmental disabilities that runs during the school year and during the summer with adjusted hours.

The non-public Academy for Advancement of Children with Autism (AACA) is located in Lancaster, less than ten miles north of Palmdale. In addition to a specialized curriculum, AACA offers occupational and physical therapy, speech and language pathology, and behavioral analysis. Parent training services are also provided.

Other Resources for Special Education Professionals and Families in Palmdale

Though located about 35 miles from Palmdale, Santa Clarita is the nearest city with large-scale special needs resources.

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The Santa Clarita branch of California State University – Northridge’s Family Focus Resource Center is found at the North Los Angeles Regional Center. Support groups, parent mentoring and IEP development training are among the services provided by this branch. The Center also hosts an annual Special Needs Resource Fair.

Family support and networking services can be found through the Santa Clarita Autism Asperger Network (SCAAN). Special education students can enjoy playgroups to help with the development of social skills, and there are also family events and parties. Members can take advantage of a lending library that offers books and other materials on developmental disabilities.

Farther from Palmdale, about 50 miles south in North Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley Autism Families provides parents with workshops, lectures and conferences. Social skills-building activities for autistic children are also provided.

Special education legal support and advice is offered by California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG). This Pasadena-based firm provides advocacy services, represent parents through conflict mediation and helps with IEP development.

 

The largest city in Stanislaus County, Modesto, California, is home to a few resources for special education professionals, parents and students. These resources can be found through educational organizations, treatment centers and nonprofit agencies.

Special Education Modesto

However, though it is a large city, Modesto has somewhat limited special education resources. Residents seeking support in or information regarding special education might look beyond the city’s limits to organizations located in nearby cities.

Education-Based Resources for Special Education Teachers, Parents and Students

Modesto City Schools provides a Community Advisory Committee offering parents workshops and meetings addressing such topics as IEP development and special education laws. The website for the school system also provides a link to a document detailing the rights of special education parents and children. Parents can also access Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) news.

The Stanislaus County Office of Education, based in Modesto, has a Special Education Department that oversees speech and language, occupational therapy and Early Start services. The office also has an intern program for teachers seeking special education certification.

Other Organizations in or Near Modesto Offering Special Education Resources

Very few organizations focusing on special needs are located directly in Modesto. Parents and special education professionals interested in workshops, support groups or other services may need to travel up to 50 miles outside of Modesto.

Behavioral treatment programs are offered to infants, toddlers, preschool and elementary special needs children through the Central Valley Autism Project in Modesto. Programs are designed to help children develop language, social and cognitive skills. B.E.S.T. (Behavioral and Educational Strategies and Training) has an office in Modesto  offering assessment and treatment plans for autistic children. Parent services include a newsletter, monthly support group and training workshops.

Based about 30 miles northwest of Modesto in Stockton and serving several counties, including Stanislaus, Family Resource Network provides advocacy services, workshops, seminars and support groups for parents of special education students. The Network also hosts an annual Early Start symposium and publishes helpful articles for special education parents in an online newsletter published four times per year.

Special Education Modesto

In Sierra Vista, about 50 miles southeast of Modesto, the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center offers an Autism Support Group for parents. The group meets on the third Friday of February, April, June, August, October and December.

And the Sacramento Autistic Spectrum and Special Needs Alliance (SASSNA), about 75 miles Modesto, provides advocacy and case management services. There’s also events designed to help special education students build social skills, parent support groups and an email discussion group for families, teachers and other professionals.

The California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG) is a Pasadena-based firm offering services throughout the state. These services include IEP development assistance and conflict mediation.

A small city located northwest of Los Angeles, Santa Clarita offers both educational and nonprofit support for special needs parents and their families. Special education teachers, too, can find some professional development opportunities in Santa Clarita.

Special Education Santa Clarita

Resources, however, are somewhat limited, and special education parents and families may need to look beyond this city’s limits. Fortunately, cities such as Burbank and North Hollywood, within 20 to 30 miles of Santa Clarita, are home to several special needs organizations providing support services in the form of workshops, camps and training programs.

Special Education Resources in the Santa Clarita Educational System

Parents, teachers and students can find helpful resources through the Santa Clarita Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). Parents will find family support services and parent workshops, and special education children can benefit from child find activities and a referral program. Online resources include a parents’ rights document and glossary of terms. Training is also provided to special education teachers.

The SELPA’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) offers meetings and networking opportunities. Meetings can address such topics as behavior intervention strategies and positive behavior strategies. Community outreach and advocacy practices are also conducted by the CAC.

The Saugus Union School District in Santa Clarita offers a Student Support Services office that provides assistance to parents with special education issues and concerns.

Support Services and Resources for Special Education Families in Santa Clarita

The following organizations are the only two specifically designed for special needs found  in Santa Clarita:

Special Education Santa Clarita

Outside of Santa Clarita, special education parents and families can turn to the following for therapeutic, social and behavioral support:

  • The SFV (San Fernando Valley) Autism Families in North Hollywood, approximately 20 miles southeast of Santa Clarita, offers workshops, lectures and conferences. Activities designed to build social skills for autistic children are also provided.
  • The Burbank office of Autism Spectrum Therapies, which also has locations in other states including Arizona and Washington, offers behavioral analysis and social skills programs as well as occupational and speech therapy and psychological evaluation services. Burbank is about 23 miles southeast of Santa Clarita.
  • The nonprofit organization Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) holds meetings at two locations in Burbank. TACA has parent mentoring and support workshops as well as conferences, clinics and webinars.
  • About 33 miles southeast, in Altadena, California, Education Spectrum offers programs for children with autism, Asperger’s and related disorders and their families. For children, programs are designed to help build social skills, while parent training includes behavioral management strategies and intervention techniques. Individual and family therapy programs are also offered, as are social skills camps.

In some cases, parents of special education children may need to seek legal advice or support. California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG), based in Pasadena and offering its services throughout California, can help with such issues as IEP development or conflict resolution.

One of the three Beach Cities in California, Huntington Beach has limited resources when it comes to special education professionals, students and parents. In some cases, these individuals might have to look beyond the city’s limits for information and support. Fortunately, nearby cities have plenty of resources in the area of special education.

Special Education Huntington Beach

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Huntington Beach Educational Organizations and Their Special Education Programs

The Huntington Beach City School District has a Community Advisory Committee that holds bimonthly meetings. Any parent of a special education child can become a member.

The school also belongs to the West Orange County Consortium for Special Education (WOCCSE) to form a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). Online resources provided by this SELPA include parents’ rights and a parent handbook detailing legal rights, IEPs and program options. Links to relevant nonprofit and county-run organizations are also found on the website.

The Orange County Department of Education offers a link on its website to an Early Education program for special needs children up to five years of age. Additional links provide information about many other topics, including assistive technology and parent rights.

Extensive training programs for special education teachers are provided through the department’s System of Support (SOS). Teachers can receive training in classroom management, instructional methods and intervention strategies through class training and guest speaker seminars.

Special Needs-Focused Nonprofit Organizations Near Huntington Beach

While there are generally no organizations devoted to special needs found directly in Huntington Beach, residents of the city can look to Irvine and Santa Ana, two cities located less than fifteen miles from Huntington Beach, for information about autism, AD/HD and other developmental and learning disorders.

The Autism Society of Orange County, based in Santa Ana, holds support-group meetings in Orange for English-speakers members and in Santa Ana for those who speak Spanish. Members can borrow books, tapes and videos about autism and attend seminars and conferences sponsored by the organization.

The Greater Orange County C.H.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) holds monthly support meetings, mainly in Santa Ana but also in Irvine and Orange. These meetings provide information about AD/HD as well as family networking opportunities.

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is a nonprofit organization in Irvine that offers learning seminars and social events for autistic children and their families. The organization’s website provides links to helpful articles about therapies, medical interventions, parent support, parents’ rights and more. A resource library lends out books, DVDs and CDs on autism to TACA members.

Irvine-bsaed KiDA (Kids Institute for Development and Advancement) serves Orange County as the largest Center for Autism in the county. Clinical and educational services include behavior, occupational, and speech and language therapy, social groups and a school for K-6 students that focuses on behavior management and social skills development.

Special Education Huntington Beach

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Easter Seals Southern California in Santa Ana offers behavior analysis and services in areas of language, speech and physical therapies for autistic children.

For legal advice and support, most notably in areas of IEP development or conflict resolution, parents of special education students can turn to California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG). The law firm is based in Costa Mesa and serves counties throughout the state.

The county seat of Riverside County, the city of Riverside, California, is located approximately 50 miles east of Los Angeles. This fairly large city provides special education resources for students and their families as well as teachers and other educational professionals.

Special Education Riverside

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Many of these resources are offered through learning institutions and government offices. Special education parents, students and teachers can also turn to nonprofit organizations in the area that focus on specific disorders or disabilities.

Riverside Educational Institutions and Their Special Education Resources

The Riverside Unified School District provides special and modified classes for special education students.  On the school’s website, parents, students and teachers will find links to helpful resources:

  • Parents will find links to various organizations focusing on specific learning and developmental disorders as well as special education curriculum information and U.S. Department of Education articles
  • Professionals can access information about IEPs and intervention resources as well as simulated learning experiences and strategic teaching methods
  • Students can enjoy links to online learning aids such as games and stories in addition to online learning assistance tools and textbook sites

According to its website, the Riverside County SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) is the “largest multi-district SELPA in California”. This SELPA has an online training development guide for special education teachers and administrators that provides information about meetings, trainings and workshops.

For parents, the Riverside County SELPA has a Community Advisory Committee designed to increase awareness of special education services and provide support for parents. Details about this committee are also found on the organization’s website.

The Sunshine Early Childhood Center in Riverside began as a school for students with Cerebral Palsy in 1947 and today serves special education students with many types of disabilities and disorders, including autism, Down’s syndrome and speech and language impairments. The school has an Early Start program.

Special Education Riverside

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Therapeutic and Support Resources for Special Education Students and Parents in Riverside

Autism Society Inland Empire offers advocacy and support services for special education students and their families. The organization provides these services through parent support groups, workshops, and a regional taskforce. Parents can also access an electronic newsletter with information about autism and referral services.

The organization also hold various social events for parents and special needs children. These events include camps, day ranches and trips to ball games.

The Southern California Tri-Counties Brach of the International Dyslexia Association serves Riverside. This association has a parent support group and an action group focusing on awareness of this disorder. The organization’s website provides an online book list and informational videos.

The Riverside County Department of Mental Health has a children’s treatment center in Riverside that offers individual and family therapy programs, evaluations and case management.

Legal support and advice in the area of special education is provided to Riverside residents by the California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG). Serving counties throughout the state, CSNLG can help with, among other issues, dispute mediations and IEP development.

Consistently ranking as among the best places to live in the U.S., Irvine, California is located approximately 40 miles from Los Angeles. The city achieves the aforementioned honor in part because it offers a highly-ranked public school system, which provides many several education resources for parents, teachers and students.

Special Education Spotlight Irvine

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Resources can also be found through nonprofit organizations and other learning centers throughout the city. These resources range from therapy programs to online articles.

Educational Resources for Irvine Special Education Teachers and Students

The website of the Irvine Unified School District supplies extensive resources for parents and educators. Parents will find links to online guides regarding special education programs and legislation as well as information about specific disorders such as autism and ADD.

The Orange County Department of Education provides information concerning parent rights, assistive technology and early education programs. Teachers will find training opportunities focusing on classroom management, behavior analysis methods and special education student success strategies.

The Child Development School at University of California – Irvine focuses on supplying a supportive educational environment for children with AD/HD. Services include assessments and transition programs. Behavioral parent training and family social skills training are also offered.

With a location in Irving, the Stowell Learning Center provides assessment and educational therapy programs for students with learning disorders. The center strives to help students improve skills in area of memory, language, communication and attention. The website also has links to many free articles.

Special Education Supportive, Therapeutic and Legal Resources in Irvine

Beyond educational institutions, Irvine is home to several organizations providing services and programs for special education students and their parents.

Irvine-based Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), a nonprofit organization, offers learning seminars and social events for autistic children and families. The organization’s website provides links to helpful articles about therapies, medical interventions, parents’ rights and support groups, and more. Books, DVDs and CDs on autism are available to members through the organization’s resource library.

KiDA (Kids Institute for Development and Advancement) is based in Irvine and serves Orange County. It is the largest Center for Autism in the county and offers clinical and educational services to special education students. These include behavior, occupational, and speech and language therapy, social groups and a school for K-6 students that focuses on behavior management and social skills development.

Special Education Spotlight Irvine

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The Greater Orange County CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) holds general meetings in Irvine. These monthly meetings are intended for parents and teachers of students with AD/HD; meeting topics have ranged from therapy techniques to collaborative strategies.

For legal support, special needs families can turn to the California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG), which is based in Pasadena but serves areas throughout the state. CSNLG’s services include mediating conflicts between special needs families and school systems and assisting parents with IEP development.

Raising and educating special needs children are not often tasks one can do alone. Fortunately, there are many resources available to parents and special education teachers.

Special Education  San Bernadino

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For those in San Bernardino, California, these resources are offered through schools, nonprofit organizations and mental health centers. Professionals and parents can find information and support through meetings, service programs and online articles. Programs are also available that are designed to help special education students build social and other skills.

In some cases, those seeking resources may need to venture outside of San Bernardino.

Educational Resources for Special Education in San Bernardino

The San Bernardino Unified School District provides online information for parents and staff. This includes downloadable files concerning intervention processes and parents’ rights. The school’s website also provides information about the Community Advisory Committee, types of academic instruction programs and psychological services.

The East Valley SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) is located in San Bernardino and is overseen by the San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools. The SELPA’s website provides links to IEP forms and parents’ rights information.

Hope, Inc. Academy and Institute in Rancho Cucamonga, located about 20 miles west of San Bernardino, is a combined non-public school and mental health institute providing various services to special education students.  The Academy provides specialized classroom learning, while the Institute offers clinical programs for children with autism, AD/HD and other disorders. These programs include behavioral, speech and occupational therapy, memory training, neurofeedback and behavior analysis.

Support and Development Resources for Special Education Parents and Students

The Institute for Child Development & Family Relations at California State University – San Bernardino offers behavioral intervention programs. Parent support groups are also found at the Institute.

The Inland Regional Center serves adults and children with developmental disabilities in San Bernardino County. It offers an Early Start program as well as services for school age special needs children.

Special Education  San Bernadino

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San Bernardino Parents of Asperger Kids Meetup Group provides links and information about social activities and meetings in the area.

Beyond San Bernardino’s city limits, meetings of the Pomona Valley/Inland affiliate of the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of California are held in Rancho Cucamonga the third Thursday of each month. While these meetings provide an opportunity for face-to-face interaction with special education parents and professionals, the association offers many online resources as well.

Its website provides links to articles and books as well as other helpful websites. Updated information about special education laws and a quarterly newsletter addressing such topics as instructional strategies for teachers and current research and legislation are also available on the LDA site.

Based in Pasadena, California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG) offers its services throughout California. These services include conflict mediation and assistance with IEP development.

One of the most populous cities in Orange County, California, Santa Ana offers various online and on-site resources for special education families and professionals.

Special Education Santa Ana

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From public schools to nonprofit organizations, special education teachers, parents and students in Santa Ana can find support, educational and therapeutic services within and near the city. These services range from clinical programs to online articles.

Educational Resources for Special Education Students, Parents and Teachers

Many resources in special education are found in public and nonprofit school settings in or within a few miles of Santa Ana.

The Santa Ana Unified School District offers occupational, physical, and language and speech therapy services to its special needs students.

The website of the Orange County Department of Education offers a link to an Early Education program for children with special needs up to five years of age. Links to information about assistive technology, parent rights and special classes in areas of language and behavior are also provided.

In addition, the department provides extensive training programs for special education teachers through its System of Support (SOS). This program allows teachers to receive training in instructional strategies, classroom management and intervention methods through classes and guest speakers.

Serving special education students in Orange County, The Prentice School in nearby North Tustin, about five miles northeast of Santa Ana, offers specialized education programs for elementary, junior high and high school students. The school utilizes a specific language arts approach for elementary and junior high students with dyslexia. The high school program utilizes active collaboration, community service and individualized support.

The school’s resources include parent support workshops, online publications about dyslexia and assistive technology, links to local, national and international special needs organizations, and information about assistive technology tools.

Services and Resources for Special Education Students and Parents in Santa Ana

The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders is based in Santa Ana. The center offers evaluation and treatment services and online resources for parents, which include recommended book listings and links to online articles. It also has a monthly family support group and advocacy services.

Easter Seals Southern California in Santa Ana offers behavior analysis and therapeutic services for autistic children. These services include speech, language and physical therapy.

The Greater Orange County C.H.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) holds monthly support meetings in Santa Ana as well as in nearby Irvine and Orange. These meetings provide information about AD/HD as well as networking opportunities for families.

Based just several miles outside of Santa Ana, in Irvine, the nonprofit Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) offers learning seminars and social events for autistic children and families. The organization’s website provides links to helpful articles about therapies, medical interventions, parent support, parents’ rights and more. Books, DVDs and CDs on autism are available to members through TACA’s resource library.

Special Education Santa Ana

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KiDA (Kids Institute for Development and Advancement) is also based in Irvine and serves Orange County. It is the largest Center for Autism in the county and offers clinical and educational services. These include behavior, occupational, and speech and language therapy, social groups and a school for K-6 students that focuses on behavior management and social skills development.

For legal support and advice, Santa Ana residents can turn to California Special Needs Law Group (CSNLG), which serves clients throughout the state. CSNLG can assist parents with Individual Education Plan (IEP) development and help to mediate disputes between special education parents and school systems.