County resource guide
Imperial County, California
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Imperial County. California statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
5 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
El Centro
El Centro Regional Medical Center — Developmental Referrals
Imperial County's primary hospital in El Centro offering pediatric developmental referrals and autism screening coordination. Border county families often access San Diego Children's specialists (2 hrs) for comprehensive evaluations. Bilingual (English/Spanish) services are essential — Imperial County is majority Latino. Telehealth with Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego is increasingly available.
Border county with large bilingual population. Most specialty autism evaluations require travel to San Diego (2 hrs) or use of Rady Children's telehealth. Ask about Spanish-language evaluators.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
El Centro
Imperial Valley Regional Center
California's Regional Center serving Imperial County, providing Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult programs. Bilingual staff are available — essential in a county where Spanish is the primary language for many families. El Centro office handles all intakes. Apply as early as possible due to waitlists.
Apply at first signs of concern. IVRC is the first call for any Imperial County family — Early Start requires no diagnosis for referral. Bilingual (English/Spanish) staff available.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
El Centro
Centria Autism — Imperial County (In-Home)
In-home ABA therapy serving Imperial County families. BCBA-supervised with Regional Center authorization and Medi-Cal accepted. In-home service delivery is especially important in a rural border county with limited center-based options. Bilingual staff are available for Spanish-speaking families.
In-home delivery is the primary ABA model in Imperial County. Bilingual (English/Spanish) services available. Regional Center authorization required. Geographic isolation and summer heat make home-based services critical.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
El Centro
Autism Society of California — Imperial Valley Families
Statewide Autism Society of California virtual resources and peer support for Imperial County families. No local chapter exists in this rural border county — online communities and statewide virtual peer support connect isolated families to broader autism networks.
No local chapter. Virtual statewide resources. Connect through IVRC family support groups as a local starting point.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
El Centro
Disability Rights California — Imperial County Families
Statewide legal advocacy organization protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including autistic individuals. Provides free legal help navigating Regional Center denials, school IEP disputes, and Medi-Cal issues. Bilingual (English/Spanish) services available — critical for Imperial County's border community.
FREE legal advocacy. Bilingual services available. First call for families facing Regional Center or school denials.
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See all California resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in California.
California state guide →