County resource guide
San Mateo County, California
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in San Mateo County. California statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
6 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Palo Alto · multi-county
Stanford Medicine Children's Health — Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
Comprehensive autism evaluations at Stanford Medicine Children's Health in Palo Alto, serving San Mateo County families. One of the West Coast's premier pediatric academic medical centers with a dedicated developmental-behavioral pediatrics program. Many San Mateo County tech-sector families have strong commercial insurance coverage. Waitlists can be 6–12 months.
Stanford is the top evaluation center for San Mateo County families. Waitlists run 6–12 months — ask about cancellation lists and telehealth intake. Strong commercial insurance typically accepted.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Redwood City · multi-county
San Andreas Regional Center — San Mateo County
California's Regional Center serving San Mateo County. Provides Early Start (birth–3), service coordination, respite, and adult programs. San Jose main office handles San Mateo County intakes. Tech-sector families in San Mateo County often have strong private insurance alongside RC services. Apply at diagnosis to access the full continuum of state-funded supports.
Apply at diagnosis — RC services complement private insurance in San Mateo County. San Jose main office handles intakes.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Redwood City · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — San Mateo County
In-home and center-based ABA therapy serving San Mateo County. BCBA-supervised with San Andreas Regional Center authorization and commercial insurance accepted. San Mateo County's tech-community families typically have strong commercial insurance coverage, which improves ABA access.
Strong commercial insurance coverage typical in San Mateo County — file insurance first, then RC as secondary. Both center-based and in-home available.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Redwood City
Autism Society of California — Peninsula Families
Statewide Autism Society of California resources and peer support for San Mateo County families on the Peninsula. Bay Area chapters and virtual communities connect families to a large and active autism advocacy network. Many Peninsula parents are also connected through employer-based family resource groups.
Active Bay Area autism community. Connect through San Andreas Regional Center's family support coordinator for local peer groups.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Redwood City
Disability Rights California — San Mateo County Families
Statewide legal advocacy for San Mateo County families navigating Regional Center denials, IEP disputes, and insurance appeals. Free legal help from California's protection and advocacy organization — even in affluent Peninsula counties, families encounter service denials that require expert advocacy.
FREE legal advocacy. Even families with strong insurance face IEP and RC denials — DRC is the free legal resource for all CA families.
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.
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See all California resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in California.
California state guide →