Local Autism Resources in Aurora, CO
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Arapahoe and Adams counties that help families of autistic kids in Aurora and Centennial, each one checked against the organization's own website. No sponsored listings.
Getting a diagnosis
Where to get an evaluation, and who to call first for a child under 3.
Ages 3-5
Aurora Public Schools Child Find
Free screening
Public school
Text line
Free developmental screening for Aurora Public Schools children ages 3 to 5 who are not yet in school. You fill out the intake form and the team calls you.
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Ages 3-5
Cherry Creek School District Child Find
Free screening
Public school
Play-based
Free developmental screening for Cherry Creek children who are old enough for preschool, with a play-based assessment and a formal evaluation if a delay is suspected.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Developmental Pathways Early Intervention
Free evaluation
Arapahoe County
County program
The early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 on the Arapahoe County side of Aurora and in Centennial. Services come at no cost to families.
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Ages 0-3
Early Intervention Colorado
Statewide
Referral line
Colorado's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3. Call the state referral line and it connects you to the local program for your address.
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Ages 0-3
North Metro Community Services Early Intervention
Adams County
County program
Spanish form
The early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 who live in Adams County, including the Adams County side of Aurora.
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Birth to 18
Rocky Mountain Human Services Children's Clinical Team
Autism evaluation
Insurance
A clinical team that does developmental and autism diagnostic evaluations for children, open to children over 3 from any county if your insurance contracts with them.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy by telehealth anywhere in Colorado, and at home where an independent BCBA serves your address. Health First Colorado and private insurance are verified before therapy starts.
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Paying for care
Medicaid, the Innovations Waiver, SSI, grants and local charities.
Developmental Pathways Case Management Agency
Medicaid waivers
Family support
Arapahoe County
Where Arapahoe County families apply for Colorado's children's Medicaid waivers, Community First Choice and the Family Support Services Program.
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All ages
Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid)
Statewide
Medicaid
Apply online
Colorado's Medicaid program. Apply online through PEAK, by phone, by mail, or in person at your county human services office.
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All ages
Rocky Mountain Human Services Case Management Agency
Medicaid waivers
Family support
Adams County
Where Adams County families, including those on the Adams side of Aurora, apply for Medicaid waivers, Community First Choice and family support money.
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Aurora Public Schools Medicaid Family Liaisons
Application help
Public school
CHP+
Aurora Public Schools staff who help families apply for Health First Colorado or CHP+ in a one-on-one appointment at your child's school.
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Developmental Pathways Unmet Needs and Scholarships
Local funding
Arapahoe County
Local money from Developmental Pathways for Arapahoe County families when Medicaid, insurance and other programs do not cover a disability-related need.
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North Metro Community Services Grant Assistance
Grant
Adams County
Spanish form
A once-a-year grant for Adams County families with costs that state programs and Medicaid do not cover, open to people eligible or likely eligible for IDD services.
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Free download
IHSS Colorado Application Checklist
Apply for IHSS in Colorado from Aurora with every step and document in one place.
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
Parent to Parent of Colorado
Statewide
Parent matching
Online groups
A statewide parent support network that matches you one on one with a trained support parent and runs online groups for caregivers.
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PEAK Parent Center
Statewide
Parent advisors
IEP help
A Colorado parent center where a Parent Advisor talks you through IFSPs, IEPs, 504 plans and evaluations one on one.
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The Arc of Aurora
Advocacy
Nonprofit
One-on-one advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live in the City of Aurora, including Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek students.
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Autism Society of Colorado
Statewide
Online groups
Colorado's autism society, with online peer support groups for autistic people, families and caregivers. Check the group page for the current schedule.
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Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Statewide
Advocacy
Rights
A disability rights group run by and for people with disabilities, offering information and advocacy for individuals across Colorado.
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Disability Justice
Statewide
Legal help
Rights
Colorado's disability rights organization, formerly Disability Law Colorado. Leave a message and it reviews whether your issue fits its focus areas.
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El Grupo Vida
Spanish
Support groups
Workshops
Bilingual Spanish and English support for families of people with disabilities, with workshops, support groups and a resource center.
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Family Voices Colorado
Statewide
Insurance help
Waivers
A nonprofit you can call when insurance, Medicaid waivers, early intervention or school services get stuck.
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The Arc Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert Counties
Advocacy
Centennial
Nonprofit
The Arc chapter for Centennial and the rest of Arapahoe County outside the City of Aurora, with advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
BCBA note
School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Aurora Public Schools Exceptional Student Services
Public school
Special education
The special education department for Aurora Public Schools, which works with schools and families on services for students with disabilities.
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Cherry Creek School District Special Education
Public school
Special education
Autism team
Special education in Cherry Creek schools, including autism programs from self-contained classes to full inclusion and a district autism support team.
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Birth to 26
Show & Tell
Free
Parent educators
IEP help
Aurora-based parent center where parents of children with disabilities help you with special education, school meetings and local resources, at no cost.
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Colorado Department of Education Resources for Families
Statewide
Special education
Dispute help
The state education department's page for parents of students with disabilities, with a family engagement specialist you can call about the special education process.
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Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
City of Aurora A.R.I.S.E. Adaptive Recreation
Adaptive recreation
Inclusion aides
City program
The city's adaptive recreation program, with arts, swimming, outings, sports and Special Olympics, plus inclusion aides so your child can join any city class.
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Teens and adults
Aurora Public Library, Library For All
Library
I/DD program
Caregivers welcome
Weekly library gatherings for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers, with reading, games, crafts and shared local resources.
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All ages
Feel the Beat Adaptive Dance, Centennial
Adaptive dance
Nonprofit
Centennial
Adaptive dance classes for all ages and abilities, including autistic dancers, on a vibrating floor that lets you feel the music. One studio is in Centennial.
BCBA note
Ages 2 and up
Special Olympics Colorado
Young Athletes
Sports
Statewide
Sports and play for children with and without intellectual disabilities, starting with Young Athletes at ages 2 to 7 and teams from age 8. The state office is in Aurora.
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Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Angels of Colorado Respite Center
Respite
Sensory room
Camps
An Aurora respite center for children and adults with disabilities, with before and after school care, evenings, weekends and seasonal camps.
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All ages
Colorado Respite Coalition Family Respite Reimbursement
Respite
Statewide
Reimbursement
A statewide program that pays family caregivers back for respite care, for any age. Check the page for when applications reopen.
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Ages 16 and up
CU Anschutz Senior and Special Care Dental Clinic
Dentist
Special care
Medicaid
A university dental clinic in Aurora for patients 16 and older with cognitive, developmental, medical or physical conditions that make routine dental care hard.
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Adults
Dental Lifeline Network (Donated Dental Services)
Dentist
National
Volunteer dentists
A nonprofit that links adults with permanent disabilities to volunteer dentists when they have no other way to pay for dental care.
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Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
988 Colorado Mental Health Line
Free
24/7
Call or text
Call or text 988 any time for free mental health, emotional or substance use support. The old Colorado Crisis Services number now connects here too.
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Ages 6 and up
Aurora Mental Health & Recovery Autism & I/DD Counseling Center
Autism focus
Therapy
Youth and adult programs
Mental health care for autistic children, teens and adults and people with other developmental disabilities, from staff trained for these needs.
BCBA note
All ages
Aurora Mental Health & Recovery Crisis Walk-In Clinic
24/7
Walk in
Spanish
Aurora's 24-hour walk-in crisis clinic for children, teens and adults, at the north entrance of Potomac Pavilion. No appointment needed.
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AllHealth Network, Centennial
Counseling
Medicaid
Centennial
A nonprofit mental health center with a Centennial office offering counseling, psychiatry and crisis services, and it accepts Medicaid.
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Ages 0-6
Aurora Mental Health & Recovery Early Childhood & Family Center
Young children
Family therapy
Telehealth
Therapy for babies, toddlers and preschoolers up to age 6 together with their caregivers, in person, at home or by telehealth.
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Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Teens and young adults
Aurora Public Schools Aurora Workforce Collaboration
Public school
Job training
Transition
Aurora Public Schools job and transition programs for students with disabilities, from high school work experience to support after academic requirements are done.
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Autism Community Store and Autism Community Center
Free groups
Teen group
Local business
An Aurora store with a community center that hosts free support groups for parents, autistic teens and autistic adults, plus workshops and events.
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Ages 8 and up
Colorado Community Church CHOSEN Special Needs Ministry
Faith
Free respite
Adapted Bible class
An Aurora church ministry with All Stars Club, a free monthly respite morning, plus an adapted Bible class and social nights for teens and adults.
BCBA note
Adults
HighPointe Services, The Garage Social
Social club
Centennial
A social club in Centennial where adults with disabilities relax and make friends, with groups for ages 18 to 30 and 30 and up.
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Where to start
Know a place that belongs here? Email the team and we will check it and add it. Suggest a resource →
Questions Aurora parents ask
How do I get my child evaluated for autism in Aurora?
For a child under 3, call the Early Intervention Colorado referral line at 833-733-3734. Developmental Pathways runs early intervention on the Arapahoe County side of Aurora and North Metro Community Services on the Adams County side. From age 3, Aurora Public Schools Child Find (303-326-3631) and Cherry Creek Child Find (720-554-4001) screen children for free.
Where do Aurora families apply for Colorado's children's Medicaid waivers?
It depends on your county. Arapahoe County families apply through Developmental Pathways at 303-360-6600, and Adams County families apply through Rocky Mountain Human Services at 844-790-7647. Developmental Pathways says there is no state waitlist for the Children's Extensive Supports waiver.
How do Aurora families apply for Health First Colorado?
You can apply online through PEAK, by phone at 1-800-221-3943, by mail, or in person at your county office, and Aurora Public Schools' Medicaid Family Liaisons (303-326-1485) can help you fill out the application at your child's school. Alpaca Health verifies Colorado Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Aurora?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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