Autism Resources in El Dorado County, California
20 providers in Placerville, El Dorado Hills, Novato and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in El Dorado County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in El Dorado County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Marshall Medical Center — Developmental Pediatric Referrals
Placerville, CA
El Dorado County's primary hospital offering developmental referral pathways and connections to Sacramento-area specialists. Coordinates with Alta California Regional Center for autism evaluation and Early Start enrollment.
Foothill county — many families travel to Sacramento for specialized evaluations. Ask about telehealth options.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Health Works — El Dorado County
El Dorado Hills, CA · serves several counties
In-home ABA therapy serving El Dorado County including Placerville, El Dorado Hills, and South Lake Tahoe areas. BCBA-supervised programs with Regional Center authorization accepted.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
El Dorado County Autism Support Group
Placerville, CA
Parent peer support group for families of autistic individuals in El Dorado County's foothill communities. Meets in Placerville and El Dorado Hills with resource sharing and Regional Center navigation support.
Advocacy & legal
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Alta California Regional Center — El Dorado County
Placerville, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving El Dorado County as part of Alta California's coverage area. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult programs. Sacramento main office handles El Dorado County intakes.
Sacramento main office serves El Dorado County. Apply at diagnosis for earliest service access.
Matrix Parent Network — El Dorado County Families
Novato, CA · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI serving El Dorado County families with free IEP support and special education advocacy. Phone and remote support available for foothill communities throughout the county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Also serving El Dorado County
These 27 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list El Dorado County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Diagnostic clinics
2 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Barton Health — Developmental Referrals (South Lake Tahoe)
Markleeville, CA · serves several counties
The nearest hospital system for Alpine County families is Barton Health in South Lake Tahoe (30–40 min). Barton connects Alpine County residents to developmental specialists and Alta California Regional Center. Comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to Sacramento (3 hrs) or Reno, NV (1.5 hrs). Telehealth with UC Davis MIND Institute is the most accessible starting point.
Alpine County has no local hospital. South Lake Tahoe (Barton Health) is the nearest facility. Full autism evaluations require travel to Sacramento or telehealth through UC Davis MIND Institute.
UC Davis MIND Institute — Yolo County Access
Davis, CA · serves several counties
Yolo County families have direct access to UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento — one of the nation's leading autism research and clinical centers. Comprehensive evaluations using gold-standard tools (ADOS-2, ADI-R) for children and adults. A major geographic advantage for Davis and Woodland families.
Sacramento campus is 20 minutes from Davis. Waitlists exist — ask about the Family Resource Center and research study openings.
ABA therapy
3 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Health Works — Alpine County (Telehealth)
Markleeville, CA · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA parent coaching for Alpine County families. In-person ABA does not exist in Alpine County — telehealth parent coaching plus travel to South Lake Tahoe or Sacramento for in-person services are the only options. BCBA-supervised with Alta California Regional Center authorization required.
No local ABA exists in Alpine County. Telehealth parent coaching is the only realistic in-county option. Regional Center authorization required.
Behavioral Health Works — Amador County (Telehealth)
Jackson, CA · serves several counties
Telehealth parent coaching and limited in-home ABA therapy for Amador County families. BCBA-supervised with Regional Center authorization required. Amador County has almost no local autism providers — telehealth is the realistic first step while families explore travel options to Stockton or Sacramento.
Amador County is extremely resource-sparse for autism services. Telehealth parent coaching plus in-home services from Stockton or Sacramento BCBAs are the primary options. Regional Center authorization required.
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers — Nevada County
Grass Valley, CA · serves several counties
Center-based and in-home ABA therapy serving Nevada County families from the greater Sacramento/Roseville area. BCBA-supervised programming with Regional Center authorization and commercial insurance accepted. Some families travel to Roseville for center-based services.
In-home model recommended for Nevada County to avoid travel. Center-based services available in nearby Roseville.
Respite care
2 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, CA
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, CA
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Advocacy & legal
10 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Alta California Regional Center
Sacramento, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Sacramento and surrounding counties. Coordinates services and funds early intervention, respite, day programs, and adult services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Apply as soon as developmental concerns arise.
Largest geographic Regional Center in California. Intake office in Sacramento.
Alta California Regional Center — Alpine County
Markleeville, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Alpine County as part of Alta California's Northern California coverage. Alpine is the smallest county in California by population (fewer than 1,200 residents). Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult services via Sacramento main office. Telehealth and home-based coordination are the only practical models.
Alpine County is the least populous county in California. Sacramento main office handles all intake. Expect fully remote service coordination — in-person services require significant travel.
Alta California Regional Center — Nevada County
Grass Valley, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Nevada County as part of Alta California's Northern California coverage area. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult programs. Sacramento main office handles Nevada County intakes — many families travel to Roseville or Sacramento for services.
Apply at diagnosis. Nevada County is a foothill community — many families travel to Roseville or Sacramento for specialized services.
Alta California Regional Center — Placer County
Roseville, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Placer County as part of Alta California's coverage area. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult services. Sacramento main office handles Placer County intakes.
Placer County families should contact the Sacramento main office for intake.
Alta California Regional Center — Shasta Region
Redding, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Shasta County as part of Alta California's large Northern California coverage area. Provides service coordination, Early Start, respite, and adult services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Redding satellite office serves Northern California counties. Sacramento main office: (916) 978-6400.
Alta California Regional Center — Sierra County
Downieville, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Sierra County, one of the nation's least populated counties (fewer than 3,500 residents). Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult services via Sacramento main office. Telehealth coordination is the standard for this remote mountain county.
Apply at diagnosis. Sierra County has no hospital and no city larger than 1,000 people. Telehealth is the only realistic service coordination model. Sacramento main office: (916) 978-6400.
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Matrix Parent Network — Alpine County Families
Markleeville, CA · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy and special education support for Alpine County families via phone and remote services. With only a handful of school-age children with disabilities in the county, Matrix is uniquely positioned to provide personalized one-on-one remote support.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. All services remote for Alpine County — the smallest school district in California.
Matrix Parent Network — Amador County Families
Jackson, CA · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy and special education support for Amador County families via phone and remote services. Critical resource in a county with very limited local disability services.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Phone and remote services only for this rural foothill region.
Matrix Parent Network — Nevada County Families
Grass Valley, CA · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI offering free IEP advocacy and special education support for Nevada County families. Phone and remote support available — especially important for families in foothill communities with limited local resources.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Matrix Parent Network — Yolo County Families
Woodland, CA · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy, special education training, and parent support for Yolo County families. Remote and in-person support available. Yolo County families benefit from proximity to Sacramento-area resources.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Activities, clubs & recreation
10 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, CA
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, CA
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, CA
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, CA
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, CA
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, CA
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
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Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, CA
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the League Finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, CA
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, CA
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, CA
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
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Helpful guides
Guides for El Dorado County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
See all California resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in California.
California state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve El Dorado County, California?
We list 20 providers serving El Dorado County, covering advocacy & legal, diagnostic clinics, ABA therapy and parent & family support. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Where can I find ABA therapy in El Dorado County?
ABA providers serving El Dorado County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Are there telehealth autism services for El Dorado County families?
Yes — 6 providers serving El Dorado County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in El Dorado County?
4 providers serving El Dorado County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in California?
California families can apply to the Regional Center services under the Lanterman Act, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is No waiting list — services are an entitlement, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in El Dorado County?
If none of the El Dorado County providers is the right fit, these California counties currently have the most listed providers: San Diego County (22), Butte County (20), Colusa County (18), Placer County (18). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in California
You know things we don’t
Still missing from El Dorado County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in El Dorado Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in El Dorado County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in El Dorado County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
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See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
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If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
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