No two people are alike in development. For this guide, the term “special needs” encompasses developmental delays, disabilities, or neurodivergent identities in children, who may attend therapies and services that support their growth and development.
East Bay Resources for Children with Special Needs
Early intervention for babies and toddlers who have a cognitive, communication, or physical delay in development can be supported by these resources:
Family Resource Navigators (San Leandro) helps parents with children 0-5 identify and connect with resources to support kids with medical, developmental, or social-emotional concerns. Always free of charge in Alameda County. Visit website >
Regional Center of the East Bay (San Leandro) assesses and recommends information and services for children or adults with developmental disabilities. Visit website >
The Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area is an invaluable resource to families with a loved one who happens to have Down syndrome or have received a prenatal diagnosis. Suzanne tells us, “Programing we’ve enjoyed includes play groups, music class, dance class, annual picnics/walks, and invaluable support and friendship for self-advocates, siblings, parents, and grandparents.” Visit website >
The Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland provides specialized mental health services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Pro tip: You must navigate the bureaucracy and advocate for yourself. Visit website >
Special Visual Assessment Clinic at UC Berkeley Optometry, (Berkeley) SVAC offers the best eye exams for kids of all ages and needs starting with infants — good luck getting in, though. Visit website >
Dr. Liz Salzburg and Dr. Nanci Tucker at Kiwi Pediatrics (Berkeley) come recommended by a special needs mom we trust. Visit website >
We GET It Foundation! (multiple locations) is a growing community of parents of children on the Autism Spectrum that connects families through play and support groups with an emphasis on inclusion, acceptance, and total family support. Visit website >
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities (San Francisco) offers information, education, and parent-to-parent support free of charge to families of children with any kind of disability or special healthcare need and to the professionals who work with them. Visit Website >
Parents Helping Parents (San Jose and beyond) wants to empower you at every stage of your child’s life, from birth through adulthood. To start, drop in to a Parent Cafe (judgment-free zone for parents of kids 0 to 5) to share the joys and challenges of parenting those with delays and disabilities. Visit website >
Care Parent Network (Concord) Care Parent Network offers continuous support to families of children ages 0-22 (and beyond) in Contra Costa County. Get to know them.
Little Butterflies @ Swings and Wings (Alameda) is a sensory-based preschool in Alameda for children ages 2.5 to 5 years old, designed by an occupational therapist. Visit website >
Navigating the school years for kids with special needs
Ala Costa runs after-school care and summer camp programs for children with developmental disabilities. Sites are in Alameda, Berkeley, and Oakland. Visit website >
Free Special Education Trainings (Berkeley) 90-minute information sessions are presented most months at the Ed Roberts Campus (near Ashby BART) or by Zoom. The focus is “Understanding the Special Education Process: IEP Basics & Beyond”. Education advocates will go over laws that protect students with disabilities and walk through the special education process. The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, which presents these trainings, serves all of Alameda County. Sign up online.
Brett Allen, a Special Education lawyer recommended by a local mom advocating for her children, “He handles all my school district issues and has won three times for us.” Visit website >
Big Minds Unschool is a day school in Pleasanton and Pinole for kids in K-8th grade. An attachment-based, community school specifically designed for twice-exceptional (2e) learners. Visit website >
UP Academy is a progressive elementary lab school in San Mateo for children with physical disabilities and learning differences. They focus on students’ academic, emotional, and physical growth through a differentiated learning and project-based curriculum. Visit website >
Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Social-Emotional Support
Embracing Autism Collaborative (Oakland) is an Oakland-based nonprofit providing social groups, affirming care, speech services, and mental health services using DIR/Floortime, for all ages. Visit website >
Joyscape Therapy (San Jose & telehealth) offers behavioral therapy to children and adolescents including ASD and ADHD. Visit website >
Kyo Care Behavior Therapists (Hayward and Concord) for kids with ASD, ADD, ADHD & ODD with many great programs including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Now offering back-to-school learning support. Visit website >
The Learning Fountain (San Ramon) is an occupational therapy and speech therapy resource specializing in early intervention. View website >
Pediatric Language Therapy Associates Play Pals (San Leandro) PLTA offers play-based groups for preschoolers and many other speech therapy programs. View website >
Playspace Therapy (Walnut Creek) is a pediatric occupational therapy clinic serving families and children with special needs ages newborn through adolescence. Visit website >
Speech Pathology Group (Berkeley, Walnut Creek) operates five Bay Area clinics that offer assessment, consultation, and individual and group speech therapy. Get started with a video conference. Visit website >
Seven Bridges Therapy in Oakland, Hayward, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek offers speech, language, and social learning therapy for all ages beginning with toddlers. Visit website >
Resources for hard-of-hearing kids in the East Bay
Center for Early Intervention on Deafness (Berkeley) Hosting parent/child playgroups, including a Deaf-Blind playgroup, CEID is also a resource and preschool option for children who are hard of hearing, or experience hearing loss, or deafness. Visit website >
California School for the Deaf (CSD) Located in Fremont, CSD serves deaf/hard of hearing individuals between the ages of three and 22 years. Recognized for its academic rigor and direct bilingual instruction in American Sign Language and English, students come from around the state. It also hosts parent/child playgroups, preschool, family programming, family camp, and more. View website >
Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency (DCARA) Located in San Leandro, DCARA offers family playgroups and programming, Deaf mentors for children and families, ASL classes for families, family camp, storytime, and more. Website >
Recreation and Enrichment classes for kids with special needs
BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation (Berkeley) Not specifically for children, BORP advances the lives of people with physical disabilities through many adaptive sports and recreational activities. View website >
Exceptional Sports: All around the Bay Area, athletic opportunities for kids with special needs to play alongside typically developing kids have been organized by E-sports (stands for Exceptional Sports). Find contact info and programs for the following types of inclusive activities: dance, soccer, basketball, karate, and fitness on the website >
Be Exceptional Programs (Antioch, Brentwood) offers Recreational classes and social events for all ages and abilities. Classes in acting, cheerleading, dance, fitness, gymnastics, skateboarding, and more. 1:1 buddies can be provided if needed. View website >
Little League Challenger Division Kids of all abilities are included in this Little League program for adaptive baseball skills and the fun of team sports. Learn more >
Patti’s Swim School (Castro Valley). This outdoor swim school offers lessons for people of all ages and abilities. Visit website >
Square Peg Foundation (Half Moon Bay) Horseback riding lessons at the Square Peg Foundation are highly recommended by parents of a child with pathological demand avoidance, ADHD, and sensory processing. Square Peg offers dignity, kindness, and a fun-loving atmosphere. View website >
Spirited Play Labs (San Ramon) offers developmental play through two membership plans. Members gain access to seasonal camps and monthly special events. View website to see the full list of labs and enrichment classes >
All-abilities Playgrounds and Playspaces you should know about
Favorite all-abilities playgrounds near Oakland >>
Always Dream Play Park (Fremont)
Imagine Playground (Dublin)
Littlejohn Park (Alameda)
Magical Bridge Playground (Palo Alto)
Matteo’s Dream Playground for Children of All Abilities (Concord)
Mia’s Dream Come True Playground (Hayward)
Spirited Play Labs (San Ramon and soon, Berkeley): Membership-based indoor play space for children ages 0-8 curated by developmental specialists for your child’s growth and enjoyment. View website >
Swings and Wings (Alameda): Sensory-rich inclusive play space for children including developmentally enriching equipment. Visit website >
Gifts and Activities for kids with special needs
Messy Play Kits. Made by a preschool teacher in the Santa Cruz Mountains, these sensory play kits include hands-on STEAM projects for children ages 3-8. View website >
Lakeshore Learning. (San Leandro, Walnut Creek) sells teaching resources including hands-on learning products, sensory-friendly items, language learning toys, and other specialty items like flexible seating (pictured below at Spirited Play Labs). Discounts are always available.