ATL Inclusive: A Special Needs Resource Guide
Finding help for a child with special needs or learning differences can be challenging. Here are resources to help you along the journey.
Table of Contents
Therapy Services
ABLE Kids serves children between 2 and 6 years old who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and need 30+ hours per week of Applied Behavior Analysis Services. Also offering Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Psychological Evaluation Services.
Offering home-based behavioral therapy for ages 0-21, Applied ABC strives to provide the best clinical techniques for children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and other developmental disorders. An ABA trained therapist will provide your child with in-home Behavioral Therapy that best fits their treatment goals.
Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research
Offering in-person and virtual treatment to children and teens who stutter, at no cost to the family, improving communication, self-compassion and confidence. Students and professionals are equipped with knowledge and skills in the nature and treatment of stuttering, lessening its influence on overall quality of life.
Children of all abilities can enjoy the gymnastics environment! We provide traditional one-on-one physical therapy in a setting that is less like work and more like fun. Find a location near you. See you at the gym!
Georgia Association for Play Therapy
Through Play Therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem solving skills and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Learn about the benefits of play therapy and find a Registered Play Therapist on our website.
Kids differ by personality, ability, and growth – but what if their progress isn’t what you expect? Kid’s Creek can help with questions or concerns about your child’s development. Kid’s Creek provides specialized therapy services in speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy (including lactation consulting).
Peachtree Autism Services provides high quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and related developmental disabilities across clinic, home and school settings in the Atlanta area. We are a dedicated team of clinicians who are passionate about improving the lives of children and families.
SpeechFamily is a private speech and language studio that focuses on delivering therapy to individuals in their everyday environments to develop functional skills that lead to more effective communication growth.
Education and Schools
Alexsander Academy encourages, uplifts, educates and fosters independence for students in grades 1-12 who face learning and social/emotional challenges. With small classrooms, flexible teachers and personalized curriculum, teachers can meet children where they are and help them grow into more independent students.
APS Department of Special Education believes that students with disabilities will receive a quality education, leading them to meaningful academic, social, emotional and behavioral outcomes. APS partners with parents to ensure all children with disabilities receive appropriate, specialized services and supports.
School, Disrupted. Solution? The Clinic at Atlanta Speech School. Clinic specialists collaborate with parents and teachers to determine a student’s needs and areas of strength, from preschool through high school, so every child has the chance to be confident and academically successful in their current learning environment.
Bright Path Academy serves 6th–12th-grade students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory processing challenges, and communication challenges. Bright Path offers a challenging academic environment for students with varying communication needs, combined with a social-emotional curriculum. Life skills, fine arts and music are also integrated into the daily academic schedule.
College prep academics for special needs students with Asperger’s, ADD, ADHD and other learning differences. Fully accredited with small classes. Cumberland Academy is an exceptional school for exceptional students. Grades 4-12.
The Frazer Center’s Child Development Program serves children from birth to 5 years. Children with and without disabilities learn side by side through the play-based Creative Curriculum®. Inclusion Specialists coordinate a team of support, with parents, teachers and therapists working together to foster each child’s development.
Fulton County Schools’ Services for Exceptional Children
Offers free diagnostic evaluations for children ages three and older with a suspected disability, including developmental, speech and language delays, autism, hearing, vision and orthopedic impairments.
At The Howard School, they understand every child with a language-based learning difference is unique, and provide a tailored educational experience that embraces those differences. A dedicated team of educators, speech language pathologists, literacy, and math specialists are committed to nurturing the strengths of each student while addressing their specific challenges.
Katherine Hamm Center at Atlanta Speech School
The Hamm Center partners with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing to develop strong foundations for communication, literacy and confidence using Listening and Spoken Language. Hamm students learn alongside peers with typical hearing, where relationships grow and conversation abounds.
The Mill Springs community is dedicated to the academic, physical, and social growth of students who have not realized their full potential in traditional classroom settings. A stimulating and challenging learning environment maximizes individual potential and ensures that students of all levels are well-equipped for success.
Porter Academy’s believes that each and every child has the potential to have a bright, successful future. Rather than creating a one size fits all education model, the faculty focuses on creating a program that is tailored to each student’s specific academic, developmental and social-emotional needs. Pre-K-8th grade.
Threshold Community is a unique therapeutic and educational program for participants from adolescence to adulthood that strengthens autonomy, emotional regulation, social communication, and the ability to build relationships. Tuition-based, summer programs and hourly services are available.
Medical and Pediatric Specialists
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Marcus Autism Center
Marcus Autism Center is dedicated to helping children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We provide comprehensive evaluations, diagnostic services, behavioral therapy and research programs to families living with ASD.
Georgia Center for Autism and Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental issues impact the entire family, not just the individual child. GCADP develops a comprehensive plan to help the child and family thrive. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark Moncino and learn how GCADP can help.
For more than 25 years, Dr. Kurtzman has been providing comprehensive dental care to patients with special needs and developmental disabilities. Located in Marietta, Dr. Kurtzman serves patients in Georgia as well as surrounding states. Call 770-592-1711 to schedule an appointment today.
Dr. Reet Sidhu is a developmental specialist with over 25 years of experience evaluating children and adults for autism, ADHD and a wide range of neurodevelopmental concerns. Dr. Sidhu and her team believe in collaborating closely with schools, therapists, and parents in getting children on the path to achieving their fullest potential.
Pediatric ENT of Atlanta (PENTA)
PENTA is the largest Pediatric ENT and Audiology provider in the Atlanta area.Staffed by pediatric specialists at 9 locations, making seeking care convenient and straightforward. PENTA handles routine to complex ENT concerns, hearing tests, hearing aids, and cochlear implantation. Request an appointment today.
The Rubin Center for Autism and Developmental Pediatrics
The Rubin Center demystifies the confusion about the autism spectrum and empowers families and their children to lead successful lives. Physical, developmental, and social characteristics are integrated into a diagnostic understanding to create a systematic plan that paves a hopeful path forward for the child and family.
Wellstar Center at Barrett Parkway
The Wellstar Center at Barrett Parkway offers blood work, lab tests, X-rays, imaging, EKGs and more for patients with special needs and developmental disabilities. Sedation and anesthesia are available when needed. Tell your physician about Wellstar’s services and schedule your testing or imaging by calling 678-797-5747.
Camps and Respite Care
FACES Camp: A Camp for Kids with Facial Differences
FACES Camp, hosted by the National Craniofacial Association, is a coed summer camp for youth with craniofacial differences. Campers gain independence and make friends while taking part in traditional camp activities. FACES also provides information, support and financial assistance, and promotes awareness. July 9-14, 2023.
This theme-based social skills and sensory enriched summer camp is aimed at the non-verbal population. The approach bridges sensory challenges with emotional development and provides the base for a one-of-a-kind camp where children can develop social skills while receiving evidence based sensory stimulation.
Social Skills Today provides respite opportunities for families of individuals with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorders and other social, communication, sensory, and behavioral needs through Summer Camp Programs, School Year Mini School break camps and Social Skills Groups, and Overnight Camps.
Family Resources and Advocacy
Easterseals North Georgia Children Services
Providing proven and effective services to ensure that children with disabilities or special needs have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play.
Representation and advocacy services in all school-related matters, including IEP meetings, eligibility and early resolution meetings, mediation, and more. Exceptional Consultants will provide a professional review of your child’s psychological report, IEP, accommodations and assessments.
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
The mission of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is to advance social change, public policy, and innovative practices that increase opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to thrive where they live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia’s communities.
Find schools specializing in dyslexia and language-based learning challenges on Atlanta Parent’s list of Top Dyslexia Schools and Programs.
