Local Autism Resources in Denver, CO
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Denver, Jefferson and Adams counties 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.
Infants to teens
Children's Hospital Colorado Developmental Pediatrics
Autism evaluations
Hospital clinic
Team evaluation
The developmental pediatrics clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado, which evaluates children from infancy through the teen years for autism and developmental delays.
BCBA note
Ages 3-21
Denver Public Schools Child Find
School district
Evaluation request
How to ask Denver Public Schools to screen or evaluate a child age 3 to 21 for a developmental delay or disability, at no cost to the family.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early Intervention Colorado
Statewide
Self-referral
Colorado's early intervention program for babies and toddlers with delays. Any parent can make the referral by phone or online, with no diagnosis needed first.
BCBA note
Ages 3-21
Jeffco Public Schools Child Find
Free evaluation
Jefferson County
School district
Jeffco's free service to find out whether a child aged 3 to 21 needs special education. Parents can call or fill out the referral form.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
North Metro Community Services Early Intervention
Adams County
Self-referral
The early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 in Adams County, including Thornton and the Adams County side of Westminster.
BCBA note
Ages 0-18
Rocky Mountain Human Services, Developmental and Behavioral Health
Autism evaluations
Denver County
Denver's early intervention program for children under 3, which also runs autism evaluations for children up to 18.
BCBA note
Ages 18 months to 15
Sewall Diagnostic and Evaluation Clinic
Autism evaluations
Medicaid and CHP+
Team evaluation
A nonprofit clinic in Denver that tests children from 18 months to 15 for autism and other delays in one team visit.
BCBA note
Ages 3 and up
Adams 12 Five Star Schools Child Find
School district
Adams County
Play-based evaluation
How to ask Adams 12 Five Star Schools to screen and evaluate your child for delays, with referral forms for ages 3 to 5 and for 5 and older.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Adams 14 Child Find
School district
Adams County
Adams 14's team that screens children ages 3 to 5 for delays and decides whether they need special education. Anyone can make the referral.
BCBA note
Ages 3 to school age
Westminster Public Schools Child Find
Free screening
School district
Free developmental screenings and evaluations for children from age 3 through school age in Westminster Public Schools. Families can refer their own child online.
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 Waiver (CES)
Statewide
Medicaid waiver
A Medicaid waiver that adds respite, equipment and other in-home supports for children under 18 with a developmental disability who need constant supervision.
BCBA note
Health First Colorado
Statewide
Medicaid
Colorado's Medicaid program. Families can apply online through PEAK, by phone, by mail or in person at their county office.
BCBA note
Jefferson County Case Management Agency
Jefferson County
Medicaid waivers
Family funding
Jefferson County's office for children's Medicaid waivers such as CES, and for the Family Support Services Program. Families start with one referral form.
BCBA note
Rocky Mountain Human Services Case Management Agency
Denver and Adams
Medicaid waivers
The office that handles Medicaid waivers such as CES and SLS for children and adults with disabilities who live in Denver or Adams County.
BCBA note
18 and under
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
Statewide
Low-cost insurance
Colorado's low-cost health insurance for children 18 and under whose families earn too much for Health First Colorado and have no other insurance.
BCBA note
Ages 3-18
Rocky Mountain Human Services Family Support Services Program
Family funding
No waiver needed
State-funded help for families raising a child aged 3 to 18 with a developmental disability or delay, including money for some costs insurance does not cover.
BCBA note
Free download
IHSS Colorado Application Checklist
Apply for IHSS in Colorado from Denver with every step and document in one place.
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
Disability Justice
Statewide
Legal rights
Colorado's protection and advocacy group for people with disabilities, formerly Disability Law Colorado. It gives information, referrals and some legal help.
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Parent to Parent of Colorado
Statewide
Parent matching
Matches you one to one with a trained support parent who has raised a child with a similar disability, plus virtual support groups.
BCBA note
Ages 0-26
PEAK Parent Center
Statewide
Parent training center
Special education
Colorado's parent training and information center. Trained parent advisors help families with special education, inclusion and behavior support by phone, email or in person.
BCBA note
The Arc of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties
Jefferson County
Advocacy
The Arc chapter for Lakewood, Arvada and the rest of Jefferson County. Its advocacy team helps families of people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
BCBA note
Autism Society of Colorado
Statewide
Support groups
Colorado's Autism Society, which runs online peer support groups, trainings and events for autistic people, parents and caregivers.
BCBA note
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Statewide
Advocacy
A disability rights group run by and for people with disabilities, offering advocacy for individuals and free membership.
BCBA note
El Grupo Vida
Spanish
Support groups
Workshops
A Denver nonprofit for immigrant families of people with disabilities, with bilingual Spanish and English workshops, support groups and a resource center.
BCBA note
Family Voices Colorado
Statewide
Health care help
Free
A parent-run group that helps families understand insurance, Medicaid, waivers and other systems for children with special health care needs, free of charge.
BCBA note
The Arc of Adams County
Adams County
Advocacy
IEP help
An advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities in Adams County, with help on IEPs, housing and benefits for children and adults.
BCBA note
School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Preschool to 21
Adams 12 Five Star Schools Special Education
School district
Adams County
Autism support
Special education for Adams 12 Five Star Schools students, including Structured Learning Services for students with autism and a parent advisory committee.
BCBA note
Adams 14 Special Education
Adams County
School district
The special education department for Adams 14 in Commerce City, offering a range of support through each student's IEP.
BCBA note
Colorado Department of Education Special Education Dispute Resolution
Statewide
Mediation
State complaints
If you and your child's school disagree about special education, the state offers mediation, state complaints and due process complaints.
BCBA note
Jeffco ASD Center Programs
Jefferson County
Small classes
Specialized classrooms inside regular Jeffco schools for students who need intensive support, with about one adult for every two students.
BCBA note
Jeffco Public Schools Special Education
Jefferson County
School district
Parent conference
The special education department for Jeffco schools, with a community support line, IEP brochures in four languages and a free yearly parent conference.
BCBA note
Ages 0-6
Sewall Child Development Center
Inclusive preschool
Nonprofit
A Denver nonprofit preschool where children with and without disabilities learn together, from birth through age 6.
BCBA note
Ages 3-21
Westminster Public Schools Special Education
School district
Adams County
Autism program
Special education for Westminster Public Schools students aged 3 to 21, including an elementary autism program and a school-to-work program.
BCBA note
Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
Children's Museum of Denver low-sensory evenings
Low-sensory evenings
Accessibility guide
Children's museum evenings with limited attendance and lower noise, made for children with disabilities and their families.
BCBA note
All ages
Denver Zoo sensory support
Sensory kits
Quiet rooms
Certified Autism Center
Free sensory kits, quiet rooms and a sensory map at Denver Zoo, which is a Certified Autism Center.
BCBA note
Apex Park and Recreation District Therapeutic Recreation
Arvada
Adapted aquatics
Arvada-area recreation programs designed for people with physical, mental or emotional disabilities, including sports, adapted aquatics, crafts and outings.
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Butterfly Pavilion sensory supports
Sensory-friendly afternoons
Quiet area
Westminster
Westminster's butterfly and invertebrate attraction lends headphones and weighted vests, keeps a quiet area, and holds monthly sensory-friendly afternoons with smaller crowds.
BCBA note
Ages 6 and up
City of Lakewood Therapeutic Recreation
Lakewood
Adaptive swim
Summer camp
Lakewood's recreation program for people with disabilities aged 6 and up, with adaptive swim lessons, a summer day camp, monthly dances and outings.
BCBA note
Denver Museum of Nature and Science sensory supports
Sensory-friendly films
Free headphones
Quiet spaces
Free noise-reducing headphones and wiggle cushions to borrow, plus sensory-friendly films with softer sound and brighter lights at the Denver museum.
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Children
Jefferson County Public Library sensory materials
Library
Sensory tools
Jefferson County
Jeffco libraries keep noise reduction headphones, fidgets and other sensory aids for children, in play areas, at children's programs and during story time.
BCBA note
Ages 4+
National Sports Center for the Disabled
Adaptive sports
Golden and Winter Park
Adaptive skiing, climbing, archery, camps and other outdoor sports for people with disabilities, based in Golden and Winter Park.
BCBA note
Special Olympics Colorado, Denver Region
Sports
Young Athletes
Special Olympics sports for Denver and Jefferson County athletes with intellectual disabilities, plus Young Athletes play for children 2 to 7.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Children
Developmental FX
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Feeding therapy
A Denver nonprofit clinic for children with occupational, speech, feeding and counseling therapy, plus psychology and diagnostic evaluations, in person or by telehealth.
BCBA note
Ages 1-18
Clover Kids Dentistry
Special needs dentistry
CHP+
Arvada
An Arvada pediatric dentist for children 12 months to 18 years whose special needs page invites parents to share their child's needs before the first visit.
BCBA note
All ages
Denver Parks and Recreation Adaptive Recreation
Adaptive swim
City program
Inclusion support
Denver's city recreation programs for people with disabilities of any age, including adaptive swim lessons, water fitness, Special Olympics sports and inclusion support.
BCBA note
Kids, teens and adults with special needs
Lakeside Kids Dentistry
Special needs dentistry
Sedation
Medicaid and CHP+
A Denver pediatric dental office that also sees adults with special needs, with sedation and general anesthesia offered in its own office.
BCBA note
North Metro Support Services
Adams County
Respite
Medicaid waivers
Respite, mentoring and community support at home for people with developmental disabilities in Adams County who use the SLS or CES waiver.
BCBA note
Pigtails & Crewcuts, Westminster
Kids haircuts
Sensory accommodations
Kids' hair salon in Westminster where you can call ahead about your child's sensory triggers, like noise or bright lights, so stylists can plan around them.
BCBA note
Special Olympics Colorado Healthy Athletes
Free health screenings
Dental screenings
Free health screenings, including dental, vision and hearing checks, for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at select Special Olympics Colorado events.
BCBA note
Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
All ages
988 Colorado
Statewide
Call or text
24/7
Call or text 988 any time to reach a trained crisis specialist in Colorado, or start a live chat. Texting works in English and Spanish.
BCBA note
All ages
Denver START
IDD crisis care
Denver County
Crisis prevention and support around the clock for Denver children and adults whose crisis is tied to an intellectual or developmental disability.
BCBA note
All ages
WellPower Walk-In Crisis Center
Walk-in
24/7
Denver
A walk-in mental health crisis center on East Colfax in Denver, open around the clock, with no appointment or insurance needed.
BCBA note
Community Reach Center Walk-in Crisis and Resource Center
Walk-in
24/7
Thornton
A walk-in crisis center in Thornton, open 24 hours a day, for anyone in a mental health crisis or looking for local resources.
BCBA note
Jefferson Center Crisis and Recovery Center
Walk-in
24/7
Jefferson County
Jefferson County's walk-in crisis center on Wadsworth Boulevard, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Teens and adults
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Statewide
Job help
Youth services
Colorado's job help program for people with disabilities, with youth and transition services for students thinking about life after high school.
BCBA note
Ability Connection Colorado Employment Works
Job help
Benefits planning
A Denver nonprofit's employment program with job placement, youth mentoring and Social Security work incentive planning for people with disabilities.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Adams 12 Transition Services
Adams County
Transition
Job coaching
Optional services for Adams 12 students aged 18 to 21 with an IEP who need more help with work, daily living and community skills before leaving school.
BCBA note
Adults
Autism Society of Colorado Community Spaces
Autistic adults
Free
Monthly meetup
Free, low-pressure monthly meetups for autistic and neurodivergent adults, held at Denver Public Library locations.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Jeffco Transition Services
Jefferson County
Transition
Job training
Jeffco's program for students with disabilities, usually 18 to 21, who are moving from high school into work, college or independent living.
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 Denver parents ask
Where do I start if I think my child has autism in Denver?
If your child is under 3, call Early Intervention Colorado at 833-733-3734. In Denver, Rocky Mountain Human Services runs early intervention and also does autism testing for children up to 18, and Sewall Child Development Center tests children from 18 months to 15 and accepts Colorado Medicaid and CHP+. If your child is 3 or older, you can also ask your school district's Child Find team for an evaluation, such as Jeffco Child Find at 303-982-7247.
How do I apply for the CES waiver in Denver?
Contact your county's Case Management Agency, which is Rocky Mountain Human Services at 844-790-7647 for Denver and Adams counties and Jefferson County Human Services at 303-271-4216 for Jefferson County. The CES waiver is for children under 18 with a developmental disability who live at home and need support very often, day and night. It adds services such as respite and home modifications on top of regular Health First Colorado benefits.
How do I get Health First Colorado for my child in Denver?
You can apply for Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, online through PEAK, by phone at 1-800-221-3943, by mail or in person at your county office. Families raising a child with a developmental disability or delay can also ask their Case Management Agency about the Family Support Services Program, which can help with some costs and does not need a waiver. Alpaca Health verifies Colorado Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
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