Colorado6 to 13Worried, or waiting for an evaluationChange
You can start now, without a diagnosis.
One step is enough for today.
Why this one?
This program describes itself as serving children this age, and its own pages say how to start. It is a place to begin, not a decision about your child.
Special education evaluation at school (ages 6 to 21)
Under Colorado's special education rules, each school district or BOCES has to find and evaluate children ages 3 to 21 who may have a disability, even if they are moving from grade to grade. A parent can start a special education referral. The rule's 60 calendar days for the first evaluation count from when the request is received and the parent has given written consent.
- A parent can start the referral
- 60 days, counted from request and written consent
When you're ready
Getting the evaluation itself2 ›
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and EPSDTHealth First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program. Its EPSDT benefit covers health care, screenings, and follow-up testing for members age 20 and under.
- Autism Speaks Resource GuideThe Autism Speaks Resource Guide is a national search of providers by service and location. Results can be filtered by payment accepted.
People who can walk you through it3 ›
- PEAK Parent CenterPEAK Parent Center supports families who have children with disabilities, birth through 26. Its parent training project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and helps families and youth take part in the IEP process.
- Family Voices ColoradoFamily Voices Colorado is run by parents of children with special health care needs and helps families with health insurance, waivers, early intervention, school services, and other systems. Its information and referral services are free.
- Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (ART)The Autism Response Team answers questions and helps people find autism services and supports in their community, including where to get a diagnosis. It helps people of all ages, by phone in English or Spanish, Monday to Friday.
Something to do at home todaySquared Steps ›
More doors4 ›
- Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)CHP+ is public low-cost health insurance for children age 18 and under and pregnant people. It is for families who earn too much for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) but not enough to pay for private health insurance.
- Disability Justice (formerly Disability Law Colorado)Disability Justice, formerly Disability Law Colorado, fights disability discrimination, including restraint and seclusion in public K-12 schools. It responds only to requests that fit its focus areas and represents individuals only in rare cases.
- 2-1-1 Colorado2-1-1 Colorado is a confidential, multilingual service that connects people to resources in their local community, anywhere in Colorado. It can be reached by phone, text, online search, or live chat in English or Spanish.
- 988 Colorado Mental Health LineThe 988 Colorado Mental Health Line gives free, immediate, human support 24/7 for emotional, mental health, or substance use concerns. It can be reached by call, text, live chat, or walk-in locations.
What each program says about itself. Not legal or medical advice, and not a decision about any person.
When a door shows a Spanish line, it's because the program says so on its own website.