Local Autism Resources in Colorado Springs, CO
Programs, parks and people in El Paso County that help families of autistic kids, 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.
Birth to 21
Academy District 20 Child Find
Free evaluation
Public school
Free developmental screenings and evaluations for children who live in Academy District 20. Anyone who has a concern can make the referral.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Colorado Springs School District 11 Child Find
Public school
Preschool evaluation
District 11's Child Find team gives play-based evaluations to children ages 3 to 5 who live in the district and may have a delay.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early Intervention Colorado
Statewide
Phone referral
Colorado's early intervention referral line for babies and toddlers under 3. Anyone can make a referral, including a parent.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
District 49 Child Find
Free screening
Public school
District 49 offers free developmental screenings for children ages 3 to 5 who are not yet in preschool and live in the district.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 Child Find
Public school
Fountain
Fort Carson
The Child Find office for families who live in Fountain-Fort Carson District 8. Call if you have a concern about a child ages 3 to 5.
BCBA note
Under 5
Harrison School District 2 Child Find
Free evaluation
Public school
Harrison District 2's Child Find team checks the development of children under 5 who live in the district, and every screening and evaluation is free.
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.
Under 18
Children's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver
Statewide
Medicaid waiver
A Medicaid waiver that adds in-home supports for children under 18 with a developmental disability or delay. You apply through your local Case Management Agency.
BCBA note
All ages
El Paso County Department of Human Services
County office
Medicaid
El Paso County's office for Health First Colorado and CHP+ applications and renewals, with a Medicaid customer service line and a walk-in lobby.
BCBA note
All ages
Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
Statewide
Medicaid
Colorado's Medicaid program. You can apply online through PEAK, by phone, by mail, or in person at your county office.
BCBA note
Colorado ABLE
Statewide
Savings account
Colorado's ABLE savings plan, which lets a person whose disability began before age 46 save money without hurting the benefits they get now.
BCBA note
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition Medicaid Appeals Help
Statewide
Medicaid appeals
Help for Coloradans with disabilities whose Medicaid benefits were denied, cut or ended, from an advocacy team of people who have disabilities themselves.
BCBA note
The Arc Pooled Income Trust
Disability trust
Benefits
A trust account for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that holds savings without risking Medicaid or SSI eligibility.
BCBA note
TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration
Military families
TRICARE
TRICARE's autism benefit for children of active duty service members, retirees and some Guard and Reserve members, after a diagnosis from an approved provider.
BCBA note
Free download
IHSS Colorado Application Checklist
Apply for IHSS in Colorado from Colorado Springs with every step and document in one place.
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
Birth to 26
PEAK Parent Center
Parent center
Statewide
IEP help
Colorado's parent training and information center, based in Colorado Springs. Parent Advisors answer questions about IFSPs, IEPs and 504 plans one on one.
BCBA note
All ages
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Advocacy
Free
IEP help
Adult advocacy
Free educational and adult advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in El Paso, Park and Teller counties.
BCBA note
Disability Justice (formerly Disability Law Colorado)
Statewide
Disability rights
Colorado's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. It gives rights information, referrals and self-advocacy help on its focus areas.
BCBA note
Family Voices Colorado
Statewide
Health care help
A parent-run group that helps families of children with special health care needs work through insurance, waivers and other care systems.
BCBA note
Parent to Parent of Colorado
Statewide
Parent match
Online groups
Matches you one on one with a trained support parent from another family of a child with a disability or special health care need.
BCBA note
School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Ages 3-21
Colorado Springs School District 11 Individualized Education
Public school
Special education
District 11's special education department, which serves eligible students ages 3 to 21 and supports most of them in their neighborhood schools.
BCBA note
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Succeeding in School and Life
Free
Parent coaching
Spanish
Free one-on-one coaching that helps parents of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities teach and speak up for their child, from preschool into young adulthood.
BCBA note
Academy District 20 Communication Social Development Program
Public school
Autism program
An Academy District 20 classroom program that helps students build social communication, emotional regulation and coping skills. It was designed for needs related to autism.
BCBA note
Harrison School District 2 Special Programs
Public school
Special education
Harrison District 2's special education office, with speech, occupational and physical therapy services and a form to request outside therapy during the school day.
BCBA note
Pikes Peak BOCES School of Excellence
Public program
Specialized setting
A Pikes Peak BOCES school for students with social, emotional and behavioral needs who live in the Pikes Peak region.
BCBA note
Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Sensory bags
Quiet zones
Free sensory bags with noise-reducing headphones at admissions, weighted lap blankets, and marked quiet zones around the zoo.
BCBA note
All ages
Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program
City program
Inclusion support
The city's recreation program for youth and adults with disabilities, plus an inclusion coordinator who helps your child join any city recreation program.
BCBA note
Children and adults
Special Olympics Colorado Southeast Region
Sports
Year-round
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, organized for El Paso, Teller and other southern Colorado counties.
BCBA note
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Cool C.A.T.S.
Inclusive outings
Siblings welcome
Inclusive bike rides, cooking classes, bowling and family events for children and youth of all abilities, plus activities for siblings.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
All ages
Colorado Springs Airport Sunflower Lanyards
Travel
Hidden disabilities
Ask at the airport information booth for a sunflower lanyard so staff know your child may need extra help or patience on travel days.
BCBA note
Mountain Metro Mobility
Paratransit
City bus
Door-to-door ADA paratransit rides in Colorado Springs for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular bus on their own.
BCBA note
All ages
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Mobile Universal Changing Station
Changing table
Community events
A climate-controlled mobile changing space with an adult-sized table that travels to festivals, games and other community events around the Pikes Peak region.
BCBA note
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Thrift Store Vouchers
Clothing help
Household basics
Vouchers for Arc Thrift Stores that help people with intellectual or developmental disabilities pay for clothing and household basics.
BCBA note
Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
All ages
988 Colorado Mental Health Line
24/7
Call or text
Statewide
Call or text 988 any time for free, confidential help with an emotional, mental health or substance use crisis anywhere in Colorado.
BCBA note
All ages
Diversus Health Walk-In Crisis Center
24/7
Walk-in
A walk-in mental health crisis center in Colorado Springs, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
BCBA note
All ages
Diversus Health Same Day Access
Counseling
Telehealth
Walk in or call to start mental health counseling the same day, with counselors who see children from early childhood up and their families.
BCBA note
NAMI Colorado Springs
Support groups
Family classes
Peer-led support groups and no-cost mental health classes for people with mental health conditions and the families who care for them.
BCBA note
Safe2Tell Colorado
Anonymous
24/7
Statewide
An anonymous 24/7 way for students and families to report threats or anything that worries them about a child's safety.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Statewide
Job help
Transition
The state's job help agency for people with disabilities. Its youth services help high school students explore jobs and get work experience before graduation.
BCBA note
The Independence Center
Independent living
Peer support
Colorado Springs' center for independent living, run by people with disabilities. Its information, peer support and advocacy services cost nothing.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Academy District 20 Bridges Program
Transition
Public school
Academy District 20's program for students with disabilities moving from high school into adult life, with support until the semester they turn 21.
BCBA note
District 49 School to Work Alliance Program
Job skills
Public school
District 49's job program for high school students with mild to moderate disabilities, run with Colorado's vocational rehabilitation agency.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Harrison School District 2 18-21 Community Connections
Transition
Public school
A Harrison District 2 program for young adults ages 18 to 21 who have finished high school requirements and want to try out adult services.
BCBA note
Teens and adults
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Teen and Adult Social Groups
Social groups
Spanish
Monthly social groups for teens and young adults through age 21, and for adults 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
BCBA note
Where to start
Know a place that belongs here? Email the team and we will check it and add it. Suggest a resource →
Questions Colorado Springs parents ask
Where do I start if I think my child has autism in Colorado Springs?
If your child is under 3, call the Early Intervention Colorado referral line at 833-733-3734, and anyone, including a parent, can make the referral. If your child is 3 to 5, contact your school district's Child Find office, such as District 11 at 719-520-2542 or Academy District 20 at 719-234-1755. For school-age children, start with your child's school or the district special education office.
Where can my family get help in a mental health crisis in Colorado Springs?
Call or text 988 any time to reach the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line, which replaced the Colorado Crisis Services line. For in-person help, Diversus Health runs a walk-in crisis center at 115 S. Parkside Drive that is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
How do I apply for Medicaid for my child in Colorado Springs?
You can apply for Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, online through PEAK, by phone at 800-221-3943, or in person with the El Paso County Department of Human Services. Children under 18 with a developmental disability or delay may also qualify for the CES waiver, which adds in-home supports and is handled by the county's Case Management Agency. Alpaca Health verifies Colorado Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Colorado Springs?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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