Autism Resources in Santa Barbara County, California
10 providers in Santa Barbara, Anaheim and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Santa Barbara County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Santa Barbara County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Cottage Children's Medical Center — Developmental Pediatrics
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara's premier children's hospital offering developmental pediatric evaluations and autism assessments. Multidisciplinary team with developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists. Accepts Medi-Cal and commercial insurance.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
BlueSprig — Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Center-based ABA therapy in Santa Barbara County. BCBA-supervised individualized programs for children with autism using naturalistic developmental approaches. Accepts Regional Center funding and commercial insurance.
California's ABA insurance mandate applies to most commercial plans.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Support Network — Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara County peer support group for parents and caregivers of autistic individuals. Monthly meetings, resource sharing, and connections to Tri-Counties Regional Center services and local providers.
Advocacy & legal
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
TASK — Team of Advocates for Special Kids (Santa Barbara)
Anaheim, CA · serves several counties
Southern California's federally funded PTI center serving Santa Barbara County families with free IEP advocacy, training, and special education navigation. Phone and video support available for families throughout the county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Remote support available statewide.
Tri-Counties Regional Center — Santa Barbara Office
Santa Barbara, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Santa Barbara County (along with Ventura and San Luis Obispo). Provides service coordination, early intervention (ages 0–3), respite, and adult programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Apply at diagnosis. Santa Barbara office handles intakes for the county.
Also serving Santa Barbara County
These 17 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Santa Barbara 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.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Health Works — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · serves several counties
In-home ABA therapy serving San Luis Obispo County families. BCBA-supervised with naturalistic approaches for early learners. Accepts Regional Center authorization and commercial insurance. Telehealth parent coaching available.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Respite through your Regional Center
Statewide, CA · serves several counties
In California respite is authorized through the Individual Program Plan with your regional center, not applied for separately. The person must be a regional center client with an eligible developmental disability and must live at home. It can be in-home, in the community, or at a licensed out-of-home facility, and some centers also fund parent relief hours. If respite is refused or cut, that decision is appealable — Disability Rights California publishes a hearing packet specifically for regional center respite disputes.
Ask for respite to be written into the IPP explicitly, with an hours figure. A vague agreement that respite is 'available' is not an authorization.
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
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Tri-Counties Regional Center — San Luis Obispo Office
San Luis Obispo, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving San Luis Obispo County (along with Ventura and Santa Barbara). Provides service coordination, Early Start (birth–3), respite funding, and adult programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Apply at or before diagnosis — early enrollment speeds access to Early Start and therapy funding.
Tri-Counties Regional Center — Ventura
Ventura, CA · serves several counties
California's Regional Center serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Provides service coordination, early intervention (ages 0–3), respite, adult day programs, and supported living for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Covers a large tri-county area. Ventura office is the primary contact for Ventura County families.
Activities, clubs & recreation
11 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Special Olympics Southern California
Long Beach, CA · serves several counties
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults, free to athletes and their families, organized by regional division across Southern California.
Also (800) 832-6276. Eligibility centers on intellectual disability — worth a direct conversation about fit if your family member is autistic without one. Northern California is served by a separate Special Olympics program.
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.
See all 11 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
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.
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.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County is served by Tri-Counties Regional Center for developmental disability services and the Santa Barbara County Education Office SELPA for IEP coordination. Cottage Health's pediatric programs and Sansum Clinic provide local medical resources. Families in northern Santa Barbara County sometimes travel to the San Luis Obispo area; those in the south have access to Ventura County providers. California requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Santa Barbara County.
School & special education
- Santa Barbara County Education Office — SELPA
Special Education Local Plan Area for Santa Barbara County — coordinates IEP services and Child Find.
Services & benefits
- Tri-Counties Regional Center— (805) 646-8000
California Regional Center serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Adult services
- Tri-Counties Regional Center— (805) 646-8000
California Regional Center serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Respite & support
- Tri-Counties Regional Center— (805) 646-8000
California Regional Center serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
Helpful guides
Guides for Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County
Serving families across Santa Barbara County including Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang, Buellton and Guadalupe and more.
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 Santa Barbara County, California?
We list 10 providers serving Santa Barbara County, covering parent & family support, ABA therapy, diagnostic clinics, respite care and activities, clubs & recreation, plus 1 more. 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 Santa Barbara County?
ABA providers serving Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Santa Barbara County offers 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 Santa Barbara County?
1 provider serving Santa Barbara County delivers 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 Santa Barbara County?
If none of the Santa Barbara County providers is the right fit, these California counties currently have the most listed providers: San Diego County (22), Butte County (20), El Dorado County (20), Colusa 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 Santa Barbara County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Santa Barbara 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.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
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.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in Santa Barbara County?
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.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving Santa Barbara County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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