Resources for Parents of Children with Special Needs or Suspected Delays in California

Where to Start

Early Start

"The Early Start Program is California's response to federal legislation ensuring that early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families are provided in a coordinated, family-centered system of services that are available statewide." Get more information at http://www.dds.ca.gov/EarlyStart/WhatsES.cfm

Information on Regional Centers

"Regional centers are nonprofit private corporations that contract with the Department of Developmental Services to provide or coordinate services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. They have offices throughout California to provide a local resource to help find and access the many services available to individuals and their families." Get more information at http://www.dds.ca.gov/RC/. See San Andreas Regional Center below if you are in Santa Clara County.  

Infant Development Association

Lara Elfstrand is a member of Infant Development Association. The Infant Development Association of California's mission is to foster collaboration between families and professionals working with children, birth to three with special needs. The Infant Development Association of California provides education, leadership and advocacy.  Visit them at http://www.idaofcal.org.

South Bay Area Resources (alphabetical order)

Inclusion Collaborative

"The Inclusion Collaborative (IC) leads the effort to provide ALL children in Santa Clara County with quality learning environments. Its focus is the successful inclusion of children with special needs in child care, preschool programs, early learning environments, and the community through education, advocacy and awareness." Find them at http://www.inclusioncollaborative.org

Parents Helping Parents

"PHP’s mission is to help children and adults with special needs receive the support and services they need to reach their full potential by providing information, training, and resources to build strong families and improve systems of care..." Find them at php.com.

San Andreas Regional Center

"San Andreas Regional Center is a community-based, private nonprofit corporation that is funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act. The Lanterman Act is part of California law that sets out the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities. San Andreas is one of 21 Regional Centers throughout California serving individuals and their families who reside within Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties." Find them at http://www.sanandreasregional.org

Language, Social, and Literacy Resource

Hanen Centre

"Founded more than 35 years ago, The Hanen Centre is a Canadian charitable organization with a global reach. Our mission is to provide parents, caregivers, early childhood educators and speech-language pathologists with the knowledge and training they need to help young children develop the best possible language, social and literacy skills. This includes children with or at risk of language delays and those with developmental challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder." Find them at hanen.org.

South Bay Area Therapy Companies (alphabetical order)

ConnectEd Developmental Therapies

As A Team Of Developmental Specialists:

• WE ASSESS CHILDREN in their natural environments to gain a better understanding of their behavior and development.

• WE EMPOWER FAMILIES to understand their child’s needs, intervention options, and school choices.

• WE DEVELOP STRATEGIES that work: for home, school and community settings.

• WE UNDERSTAND the ins and outs of development. We’re here to support your family and answer your questions.

Find them at connected.us.com 

Hope Services

Hope's mission is "to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. Hope Services is the leading provider of services to people with developmental disabilities in Silicon Valley for over 66 years. We serve more than 3,500 people and their families in six counties and provide a broad spectrum of services for infants through seniors such as children’s services, day programs, staffing, mental health services, community living services, and senior services." Find them at www.hopeservices.org.

Joy & Laughter Developmental Therapy

"Our office offers a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together to provided the highest level of therapy for kids and their families. While not all companies are able to provide the same level of care, our team is ready to serve your family and child by providing the best care possible." Find them at www.jldtherapy.com