County resource guide
Autism Resources in San Francisco County, California
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in San Francisco County. California statewide resources also apply.
San Francisco is a city-county with one of California's most progressive service ecosystems. The Golden Gate Regional Center funds developmental disability services through California's entitlement model. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital is a major evaluation and treatment resource. San Francisco Unified School District operates as both the school district and SELPA, with robust special education programs. California requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy, and SF's provider density is among the highest in the state.
Provider directory
Local Providers10 providers in San Francisco County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed for accuracy before publication. To suggest a correction, use the “Suggest a correction” link below.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Sacramento · multi-county
UCEDD at UC Davis MIND Institute — Bay Area Referrals
The UC Davis MIND Institute is California's federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Offers diagnostic evaluations, research participation opportunities, and connects Bay Area families to evidence-based resources and training.
Telehealth intakes available. Some evaluation slots reserved for research studies at reduced/no cost.
San Francisco
UCSF Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — Autism Clinic
UCSF's autism clinic offers comprehensive evaluations and specialized treatment for autistic children and adolescents. Connected to the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and research programs. Accepts Medi-Cal and many commercial plans.
High demand. Ask about research study participation for faster access.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
San Rafael · multi-county
Golden Gate Regional Center — Marin County
California's Regional Center serving Marin County. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult programs. San Francisco main office handles Marin County intakes. Despite Marin's wealth, RC waitlists for services can be long due to very high demand. Apply at diagnosis.
Apply at diagnosis — Marin's high demand means waitlists for funded services exist even at the RC level. First call for any Marin family.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
San Rafael · multi-county
Acorn Health — Marin County
In-home and center-based ABA therapy serving Marin County families. BCBA-supervised with Golden Gate Regional Center authorization accepted. Marin County has very high demand for ABA services with a limited local provider pool — many families access ABA providers in San Francisco or the East Bay.
Long waitlists common throughout Marin County. Apply to multiple providers simultaneously. Golden Gate RC authorization required.
San Francisco
Bay Area Behavioral Health — San Francisco
San Francisco ABA provider offering center-based and in-home services with BCBA supervision. Serves predominantly Medi-Cal and Golden Gate Regional Center authorized clients. Urban-focused programming sensitive to SF family needs.
Focus on Medi-Cal and Regional Center populations. Bilingual staff.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
San Francisco
Autism Society of the Greater Bay Area
Bay Area chapter with strong San Francisco presence. Offers peer support groups, social activities for autistic adults and teens, and family resource navigation. Inclusive of late-diagnosed adults.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
San Francisco
Golden Gate Regional Center
California's Regional Center serving San Francisco County. Provides service coordination, early intervention, respite, adult day programs, and supported living for San Francisco residents with developmental disabilities including autism.
Apply immediately at or before diagnosis. GGRC serves only San Francisco County — Alameda and Marin residents use different Regional Centers.
San Francisco · multi-county
Matrix Parent Network — San Francisco Families
Northern California's federally funded PTI center, serving San Francisco families navigating special education. Free IEP training, advocacy coaching, and parent workshops in English and Spanish.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Key resource before any IEP meeting.
Novato · multi-county
Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center
Federally funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) center serving Northern California families. Offers free IEP support, parent training workshops, and one-on-one navigation assistance for families with children with any disability.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Northern California's equivalent of TASK in the south.
Novato · multi-county
Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center
Northern California PTI center with offices serving Contra Costa families. Free IEP support, school advocacy coaching, and parent training. One of the most effective advocacy resources for Bay Area families.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
For providers
Be the first featured provider in San Francisco County
Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in San Francisco County see you first.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it’s free →
School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for San Francisco County.
School & special education
- San Francisco Unified — Special Education
SFUSD operates as both the school district and SELPA for San Francisco County.
Services & benefits
- Golden Gate Regional Center— (415) 546-9222
California Regional Center serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties — funds therapy, respite, and support services.
Adult services
- Golden Gate Regional Center— (415) 546-9222
California Regional Center serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties — funds therapy, respite, and support services.
Respite & support
- Golden Gate Regional Center— (415) 546-9222
California Regional Center serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties — funds therapy, respite, and support services.
Helpful guides
Guides for San Francisco 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.
Communities served
Cities in San Francisco County
Serving families across San Francisco County including San Francisco, Daly City, Colma and Brisbane and more.
See all California resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in California.
California state guide →Nearby counties in California
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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