County resource guide
Autism Resources in Washoe County, Nevada
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Washoe County. Nevada statewide resources also apply.
Washoe County (Reno) is served by Renown Children's Hospital for developmental evaluations. Nevada PEP provides free IEP advocacy statewide for Reno families. The provider ecosystem here is limited relative to Nevada's population — families needing specialized care may consider UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for complex evaluations.
Provider directory
Local Providers20 providers in Washoe County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Washoe County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Reno
Renown Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental and autism evaluations at Renown Children's Hospital, Northern Nevada's primary pediatric hospital. The main evaluation option for Reno-area families.
Northern Nevada's primary pediatric evaluation center. Families may also consider driving to UC Davis (Sacramento) for more specialized care.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Virginia City · multi-county
Centria Autism — Reno (Serves Storey County)
Storey County families are well-positioned to access Reno's ABA providers (~30 minutes). Centria Autism in Reno and other Washoe County ABA clinics serve Storey County residents. In-home services may extend into Virginia City — confirm when calling.
Reno-based. Storey County's proximity to Washoe County gives families significantly better ABA access than most rural Nevada.
Fernley · multi-county
Telehealth ABA — Reno-area providers (Lyon County)
Lyon County has very limited local ABA providers. Most families drive to Washoe County (Reno, ~45–60 min from Fernley) or access services via telehealth. Several Reno-based ABA agencies including Centria Autism and Behavioral Innovations offer telehealth consultation and some in-home services extending into Lyon County. Call ahead to confirm service area.
Nevada requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Telehealth and in-home options from Reno providers may reach Lyon County — confirm availability when calling.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Nevada ADSD respite — no income test
Nevada's Aging and Disability Services Division funds in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training and counseling, and applies NO income test to respite services. That matters here more than in most states, because ATAP funding for autism treatment is capped at $8,400 a year and many Nevada families are paying for a great deal themselves.
The Nevada Lifespan Respite Care Coalition is the advocacy body and a useful route to finding what is actually running in your area.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Las Vegas · multi-county
Nevada PEP — Parents Encouraging Parents
Nevada's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Nevada families statewide. Knows Nevada's special education regulations and IEP procedures. Particularly important given Nevada's thin provider ecosystem.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential in Nevada where families need extra help navigating limited local resources.
Las Vegas · multi-county
Nevada PEP — Parents Encouraging Parents (statewide)
Nevada's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, serving all Nevada counties including Lyon. Free IEP support, training workshops, and one-on-one advocacy help. Lyon families typically travel to Washoe County for clinical services, but Nevada PEP helps navigate those referrals.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Serves all Nevada families remotely or in person.
Las Vegas · multi-county
Nevada PEP — Parents Encouraging Parents (statewide)
Nevada's federally funded PTI center serving all Nevada families including Nye County (Pahrump). Free IEP advocacy, training, and resource navigation. Pahrump families typically travel to Clark County (Las Vegas, ~60 min) for clinical services; Nevada PEP helps coordinate those referrals.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all Nevada counties.
Las Vegas · multi-county
Nevada PEP — Parents Encouraging Parents (statewide)
Nevada's federally funded PTI center — the most accessible support resource for White Pine County (Ely) families. Free IEP advocacy, training, and remote support by phone and video. Local clinical services are extremely limited; Nevada PEP helps families navigate telehealth and long-distance referrals to Reno or Salt Lake City providers.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential resource for very rural White Pine County families.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme 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 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme 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 affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme 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.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Washoe County.
School & special education
- Washoe County School District — Special Education
WCSD serves the Reno-Sparks metro area.
Services & benefits
- Nevada ADSD — Washoe County DD Services
Contact ADSD's Reno/Washoe County office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- Nevada ADSD — Washoe County DD Services
Contact ADSD's Reno/Washoe County office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- Nevada ADSD — Washoe County DD Services
Contact ADSD's Reno/Washoe County office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Washoe 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 Washoe County
Serving families across Washoe County including Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Fernley, Carson City, Cold Springs, Lemmon Valley, Incline Village and Verdi and more.
See all Nevada resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Nevada.
Nevada state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Washoe County, Nevada?
We list 8 providers serving Washoe County, covering ABA therapy, respite care, advocacy & legal and diagnostic clinics. 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 Washoe County?
ABA providers serving Washoe 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 Washoe County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Washoe 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 Washoe County?
2 providers serving Washoe 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 Nevada?
Nevada families can apply to the Autism Treatment Assistance Program (ATAP), plus the ADSD Intellectual Disabilities waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is ATAP has a waiting list; apply as soon as you have a diagnosis, 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 Washoe County?
If none of the Washoe County providers is the right fit, these Nevada counties currently have the most listed providers: Clark County (18), Carson City (8), Elko County (6), Esmeralda County (6). 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 Nevada
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Washoe County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Washoe 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?
- Where do parents here actually talk to each other?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
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 Washoe County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Washoe 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 Washoe 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 Washoe County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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