Local Autism Resources in San Antonio, TX
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Bexar County and nearby Comal and Guadalupe 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.
Ages 0-7
Autism Community Network
Autism evaluation
Spanish
Telehealth
San Antonio nonprofit clinic that does autism screenings and diagnostic evaluations for young children, in English or Spanish, in person or by telehealth.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Easterseals San Antonio Early Childhood Intervention
Early intervention
Bexar County
Early intervention for babies and toddlers under 3 in Bexar County, including speech, occupational and physical therapy and feeding help. Refer online or by phone.
BCBA note
Ages 0-21
Northside ISD Child Find
Public school
Free evaluation
Northside ISD's free process for finding and evaluating children from birth to 21 who may need special education. Preschoolers not yet in kindergarten start with the Child Find line.
BCBA note
UT Health San Antonio Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
Autism evaluation
Doctor referral
UT Health San Antonio clinic where developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate children for autism, ADHD, severe behavior problems and developmental delays. Your child's doctor sends the referral.
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Ages 0-3
Brighton Center Early Childhood Intervention
Free evaluation
Home visits
Spanish
San Antonio nonprofit that runs early intervention for babies and toddlers under 3. The full evaluation is free, and therapists can come to your home or daycare.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Camino Real Early Childhood Intervention, Comal and Guadalupe Counties
Free evaluation
Comal County
Guadalupe County
Early intervention for babies and toddlers under 3 who live in Comal or Guadalupe County, with offices in New Braunfels and Seguin.
BCBA note
University Health Pediatric Development and Behavior Care
Autism evaluation
Pediatrician referral
University Health's developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate children for autism and other delays and send a written report to you and your pediatrician.
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UT Health San Antonio Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Autism testing
Psychiatry
UT Health San Antonio psychiatrists test for autism and use medication to help with serious problems such as severe hyperactivity, self-injury or mood swings.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy at home across San Antonio and by telehealth anywhere in Texas, with independent BCBAs. Texas Medicaid and private insurance are verified before therapy starts.
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Paying for care
Medicaid, the Innovations Waiver, SSI, grants and local charities.
AACOG Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services
Bexar County
Waiver intake
Spanish
Bexar County's local authority for intellectual and developmental disabilities. Call for intake and eligibility, and to join the HCS and Texas Home Living interest lists.
BCBA note
Ages 0-18
Medicaid Buy-In for Children
Statewide
Medicaid
Monthly premium
Lets working families with incomes above the usual Medicaid limit buy Medicaid for a child 18 or younger with a disability.
BCBA note
Ages 0-20
STAR Kids Medicaid
Statewide
Medicaid
Service coordinator
Texas Medicaid for children and young adults with disabilities age 20 and younger, given through a health plan with a service coordinator who helps you find care.
BCBA note
Texas Medicaid Waiver Interest Lists
Statewide
Waiting lists
Put your child on the state's long waiting lists for Medicaid waiver services now. You do not have to prove your child is eligible to join.
BCBA note
2-1-1 Texas
Statewide
Phone and chat
Spanish
The state's referral line. Dial 2-1-1 or chat in English or Spanish to find local programs, including help with Medicaid and other benefits.
BCBA note
Texas ABLE
Statewide
Savings account
A state savings program that lets people with disabilities and their families save money for disability-related expenses.
BCBA note
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
Ages 0-26
TEAM Project, Partners Resource Network
Free
Special education rights
Spanish
Free help understanding your child's special education rights, from the federally funded parent center that serves the San Antonio region.
BCBA note
Texas Parent to Parent
Statewide
Peer support
Spanish
Statewide group whose staff are parents of children with disabilities. Call to talk with a parent who has been where you are.
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The Arc of San Antonio
Care coordination
Advocacy
Family support
San Antonio nonprofit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its family support team helps with resources, care plans, school and big life changes at every age.
BCBA note
Autism Lifeline Links
Care coordination
Bexar County
A Texas A&M University-San Antonio program that connects autism families in Bexar County with services. Register online, and a care coordinator contacts you.
BCBA note
Autism Society of Texas
Statewide
Free guidance
Spanish
Statewide autism nonprofit with free one-on-one guidance for parents through its Navigating Autism program, plus virtual and regional connection groups.
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Navigate Life Texas
Statewide
Parent guides
The state's website for parents of children with disabilities, with plain guides on diagnosis, Medicaid, waivers, school and turning 18.
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School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Northside ISD Special Education
Public school
Parent sessions
Spanish
Northside ISD's special education department, with direct lines for referrals, speech, OT and PT, and information sessions for parents in English and Spanish.
BCBA note
SPEDTex Special Education Information Center
Statewide
Help line
The state's special education help line for parents. Call, email or use the online form, and join its live webinars.
BCBA note
Ages 3-8
Brighton Center Special Education Support Services
Education consultants
IEP help
Brighton Center's education consultants help parents of young children understand special education, review evaluations and IEPs, and go to ARD meetings with you.
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Comal ISD Child Find
Public school
Comal County
Comal ISD's line for children who may need special education, including children who already have an autism diagnosis. A parent can make the referral.
BCBA note
Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) Grant
Statewide
Grant
One time
A one-time state grant for students in public school special education, spent online on extra speech therapy, tutoring, learning materials or devices.
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Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
Morgan's Wonderland and Morgan's Inspiration Island
Accessible theme park
Splash park
Free special needs entry
A theme park built so everyone can play, with an accessible splash park next door. Guests with special needs are always admitted free.
BCBA note
The DoSeum Sensory Friendly Nights
Sensory-friendly nights
Sensory backpacks
San Antonio's children's museum holds sensory-friendly nights with smaller crowds and lends sensory backpacks with headphones and fidgets on any visit.
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Aqua-Tots Swim Schools San Antonio Stone Oak
Adaptive swim
Private lessons
Swim school with one-on-one S.N.A.P. lessons for children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other needs, with goals set for each child.
BCBA note
Kinetic Kids
Adaptive sports
Therapist on site
Scholarships
San Antonio nonprofit that runs adapted sports, arts and recreation programs for children with disabilities, with a therapist and volunteers at every program.
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Miracle League of San Antonio
Adaptive baseball
Team sport
Organized baseball league where children with physical or mental challenges play as team members, on a field next to Wolff Stadium.
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Ages 3-12
YMCA of Greater San Antonio Adaptive Swim Lessons
Adaptive swim
Small groups
Schertz
Small-group swim lessons for children with cognitive or physical disabilities at the Schertz Aquatic Center, planned around each child's needs and your goals.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Harry Jersig Speech-Language-Hearing Center, Our Lady of the Lake University
Speech therapy
Hearing tests
University clinic
University clinic where graduate student clinicians, supervised by licensed speech-language pathologists, evaluate and treat speech, language and hearing for children and adults.
BCBA note
Alamo Heights Pediatric Dentistry
Special needs dentistry
Desensitization visits
Pediatric dental office that sees children with autism and sensory sensitivity, with practice visits so your child can get used to the office first.
BCBA note
Ages 3-6
Brighton Center Pediatric Therapy, Ages 3 to 6
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Center-based speech, occupational and physical therapy for young children from Brighton Center's licensed pediatric therapists.
BCBA note
Monte Vista Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Special needs dentistry
Pediatric dental office on San Pedro Avenue that cares for children with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental needs in a calm setting.
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Pigtails & Crewcuts, San Antonio Lincoln Heights
Haircuts
Call ahead
Kids' hair salon on East Basse Road. Call ahead about your child's sensory needs so stylists can plan around triggers like noise or bright lights.
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Smiles of Bulverde
Special needs dentistry
Pediatric dental office on Bulverde Road that adjusts each visit to the comfort level of children with autism, sensory sensitivities or other needs.
BCBA note
Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry
Special needs dentistry
Board-certified dentists
Pediatric dental office whose team is trained to keep visits calm for children with autism and other special needs.
BCBA note
The Dentists for Kids
Special needs dentistry
Sensory-friendly office
Sedation
Huebner Road pediatric dental office designed to be sensory friendly, with soothing colors and noise-canceling headphones for children with autism or sensory needs.
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Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
All ages
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free
24/7
Spanish
Call, text or chat 988 any time, day or night, for free and confidential help from a trained counselor.
BCBA note
Ages 3-17
Clarity Child Guidance Center Crisis Services
24/7 walk-in
Child psychiatry
No appointment
A 24/7 walk-in crisis clinic for children and teens ages 3 to 17 in a psychiatric emergency. No appointment is needed.
BCBA note
The Center for Health Care Services Crisis Helpline
24/7
Mental health crisis
Bexar County
San Antonio's 24-hour crisis and substance use helpline from The Center for Health Care Services, for children and adults.
BCBA note
Hill Country MHDD Centers Crisis Hotline
24/7
Mobile crisis
Comal and Kendall
24-hour crisis hotline for Comal, Kendall and 17 other Hill Country counties, with a mobile team that responds in person to a mental health crisis.
BCBA note
NAMI Greater San Antonio
Free
Family support groups
Parent classes
Free peer-led support groups and classes for families, including NAMI Basics for parents of children with mental health challenges.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Ages 14-22
Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation, Youth and Students
Statewide
Job training
College prep
State job and college help for students with disabilities ages 14 to 22, from work experience to job training. Apply through a local VR office.
BCBA note
Ages 18+
The Arc of San Antonio Adult Life Enrichment
Day program
Life skills
Weekday day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with structured activities chosen around each person's interests and skills.
BCBA note
All ages
Morgan's Camp
Accessible camp
Year-round
Ultra-Accessible camp in San Antonio where people with and without disabilities do summer-camp activities together, open all year.
BCBA note
Outer West Community Church Special Needs Ministry
Faith community
Parent care group
Church whose special needs ministry welcomes children, students and adults of all abilities, with a care group for parents and caregivers.
BCBA note
Special Reach
Enrichment programs
Respite
Dinner clubs
San Antonio nonprofit with fall, spring and summer enrichment programs for children and adults with developmental delays, plus a program for people 19 and older.
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 San Antonio parents ask
Where do I start if I think my child has autism in San Antonio?
If your child is under 3, call Easterseals San Antonio Early Childhood Intervention at 210-614-3911 or Brighton Center at 210-826-4492, and Comal or Guadalupe County families call Camino Real ECI at 830-310-5290. If your child is 3 or older, ask your school district for a special education evaluation. At any age, Autism Community Network evaluates children up to age 7, and your pediatrician can refer you to developmental pediatrics at UT Health San Antonio or University Health.
How do I get my child on the Texas Medicaid waiver waiting lists in Bexar County?
Call 877-438-5658 for the CLASS, DBMD and MDCP interest lists, and call AACOG at 210-832-5020 for HCS and Texas Home Living. You do not have to prove your child is eligible to join, and some lists have waits of more than 15 years, so it helps to sign up early.
Does Texas Medicaid help pay for autism care in San Antonio?
Children and young adults with disabilities age 20 and younger can get Medicaid through STAR Kids, which gives each child a service coordinator at the health plan. Families who earn above the usual limit may qualify for Medicaid Buy-In for Children, which charges a monthly premium based on income. Alpaca Health verifies Texas Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in San Antonio?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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