Autism Resources in Starr, Texas

Rio Grande City

Starr County Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals

Starr County Memorial Hospital in Rio Grande City is the primary medical facility for this Rio Grande Valley border county. Autism evaluation access routes through McAllen/Hidalgo County (~45 minutes east) — Mission Regional, DHR Health, or South Texas Health System. Starr County has one of the highest unmet autism identification needs in Texas, and bilingual Spanish services are essential.

McAllen (Hidalgo County, ~45 min east) is the primary evaluation hub. DHR Health and South Texas Health System serve the Valley.

Rio Grande City

Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) — Starr County / Rio Grande Valley

Texas ECI provides free in-home developmental evaluation and early intervention for children 0–3 in Starr County. Bilingual Spanish services are essential in this community where Spanish is the primary language for nearly all families. ECI is a critical first step given high unmet need in the Valley.

FREE. Request Spanish-language evaluators. Call 1-800-628-5115. Valley ECI programs are bilingual.

Rio Grande City

Rio Grande Valley ABA Providers — Starr County

Starr County families in Rio Grande City access ABA therapy through McAllen and the broader Rio Grande Valley network. In-home ABA from Valley providers and telehealth-delivered parent training are the primary options. Spanish-English bilingual BCBAs are common in the Valley. Texas ABA insurance mandate applies.

Contact McAllen-area ABA providers about in-home or telehealth coverage for Rio Grande City. Bilingual BCBAs are common in the Rio Grande Valley.

McAllen · multi-county

Rio Grande Valley Autism Services

ABA therapy provider focused on the Rio Grande Valley, with Spanish-speaking BCBAs and behavior technicians. Serves Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties. Accepts Texas Medicaid (STAR Kids) and commercial insurance.

Bilingual services a core offering. Critical resource for Valley families.

McAllen · multi-county

Autism Society — Rio Grande Valley Chapter

Local chapter providing bilingual support groups, community events, and resource navigation for families in the Rio Grande Valley. Spanish-language support available.

Bilingual chapter — many resources available in Spanish.

Rio Grande City · multi-county

Autism Society of Texas — Rio Grande Valley / Starr County

Starr County families connect to the Autism Society of Texas through the Rio Grande Valley chapter and online communities. Spanish-language peer support and resource navigation for families in Rio Grande City and this high-need South Texas border county.

Rio Grande City

Partners Resource Network — Texas PTI (Starr County)

Partners Resource Network provides free IEP advocacy for Starr County families. Bilingual Spanish advocacy is available — essential for Rio Grande City ISD families where Spanish is the primary home language. PTI support is critical given high identification need in the Valley.

FREE. Spanish-language advocacy available. Schools must provide translators for IEP meetings.

McAllen · multi-county

Texas Parent to Parent (TxP2P) — Rio Grande Valley

Statewide PTI connecting Valley families to IEP support, peer mentors, and disability resources. Bilingual parent advocates available for Spanish-speaking families.

Spanish-speaking parent mentors available — request at intake.