Resources Available in Colorado for Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder
In Colorado there are plenty of services available for individuals diagnosed with Autism that it can feel overwhelming to figure out what the right fit is for your family. We have created a list of our go to places for finding support. We can schedule a consultation to discuss your family’s needs and identify a plan for where to start.
Books and Articles related to autism:
Through the Woods Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services:
Through the Woods Mental Health Services offers services for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
JFK Partners Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic
Clinical services include diagnosis, treatment, and consultative services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Dentists:
Dental office providing extra support for children with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, sensory integration, anxiety and down syndrome.
The Children’s Hospital Dental Clinic
Comprehensive oral healthcare for all children and adolescents up to 18 years of age, including those with special needs. Dental emergencies are treated through Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Dentists are trained in accommodating people who have special needs that can make receiving dental care more difficult.
Nutrition:
Child Nutrition Services at Children’s Hospital Colorado
The Clinical Nutrition department at Children’s Hospital Colorado serves infants, children and adolescents with nutrition and feeding problems.
Developmental Pediatrics:
Developmental Pediatrics provides information necessary to understand a developmental and/or behavioral diagnosis, support to cope with some of the challenges, and assistance in finding resources for therapies and interventions.
Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs (HCP)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Section The Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs from the CDPHE provides information, referrals to services and support including screenings, financial assistance, and support groups.
Medicaid Waivers in Colorado:
Colorado’s Medicaid Program, Health First Colorado, offers extra benefits including home and community based services waivers if your child qualifies. Below there are links in English and Spanish that provide parents with information about finding and applying for these waivers.
The ARC of Colorado:
The ARC individual advocacy series for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their service area. Chapters also provide information and referral services, public policy support, community service and more. Each Chapter of The Arc has different parameters around intake and advocacy.
The ARC
Community Center Boards:
Through the Community Center Boards you can get connected with services in your local area. Through these services you are able to get connected to services as well as arrangement and monitoring of these services to remove pressure from your family for juggling all of these tasks. They will assess your family’s needs and connect you with appropriate supports.
Colorado Medicaid Programs:
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) - Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
Public low-cost health insurance plan for children 18 years of age and under and women 19 years of age and over who do not qualify for Medicaid.
Supplemental Security Income:
Transition to Adulthood:
Resources for youth ages 14+ and young adults as they transition from high school to another activity such as college, employment or a day program.
Where Do I Start? Transition Resources - P2P
Employment:
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Colorado Crisis Services:
Here you will find 24/7 crisis support for you and your family with the option for translation services for non-english speakers. On their website you can find a list of state-wide walk-in sites.
Autism Organizations:
These services often focus on advocating and connecting with resources.
Autism Society of Boulder County
Case Management and Services Coordination:
These organizations are focused on connecting your and your family with services you need.
Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled
Services in: Sedgwick, Logan, Morgan, Washington, Phillips, Yuma, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Elbert
Southern Colorado Developmental Disabilities Services
Services in: Huerfano, Las Animas
Services in: Park, Teller, El Paso
Blue Peaks Developmental Services
Services in: Saguache, Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla
Services in: Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, Hinsdale, San Miguel
Find your local early intervention services here
Community Mental Health Centers:
Community mental health center providing services for residents in Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
Provides services for residents of Aurora and some parts of Arapahoe County. Multiple languages spoken.
Provides mental health services in Denver.
Mental Health Center of Denver (WellPower)
Community mental health center serving Denver. Multiple languages are spoken.
Mental health services in Greeley and Weld County. Multiple languages spoken.
Parent and Family Supports:
El Grupo VIDA is a network of Hispanic/Latino parents formed to provide mutual support for people with disabilities or special needs, their parents, family, and guardians.
EMPOWER Colorado / Parent to Parent (P2P) of Colorado
Offering support, resources, education and advocacy for the families of children who have social/emotional, mental or behavioral challenges.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Support groups for individuals and their families. Affiliates throughout Colorado.
Show and tell Center’s mission is to inform and empower families, particularly low-income, culturally, and linguistically diverse families, as advocates for their children with disabilities. Focused on crafting relationships with underserved BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) families and connecting them with the tools they need to help their children develop essential life skills.
Education Based Services:
Colorado Department of Education – Exceptional Student Services Unit
Offers resources for disability, gifted and talented, early childhood, and English Language Learners. Also gives descriptions of laws and regulations affecting exceptional children.
Extended School Year services – Colorado Department of Education
Provides information about Extended School Year services. Extended School Year services are defined as special education and related services that are provided beyond the normal school year in accordance with the child’s IEP and at no cost to the parents.
Through the Woods Mental Health Services
Offers educational advocacy for your children focusing on getting supports in the classroom through an IEP or 504 plan.
Integrated and transition school programs serving children from age 2 to 21.
Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)
Family-centered conferences providing support, information, and education to parents.
Provides training, information, and technical assistance to equip families of children birth through twenty-six including all disability conditions to advocate for their children. Events include school transition and IEP webinars and an annual conference on inclusive education.
Occupational, Speech/Language, and Physical Therapies:
Children’s Hospital Colorado ― Physical Therapy Program
Licensed physical therapists at the Physical Therapy Program at Children's Hospital Colorado offer evaluation and care for kids, teens and young adults with injuries, illnesses or disabilities that affect range of movement and physical health.
Children’s Hospital Colorado ― Occupational Therapy Program
At Children's Hospital Colorado, our Occupational Therapy Program helps children, teens and young adults develop daily living skills. This includes the ordinary, familiar and meaningful activities that kids and adults do every day – from eating and getting dressed to going to school or work.
Children’s Hospital Colorado ― Speech-Language Therapy Program
At Children's Hospital Colorado, our specially trained pediatric speech-language pathologists provide current and evidence-based care for your child’s communication, feeding and swallowing and learning needs.
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers
Provides evaluation, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, feeding and swallowing therapy, and family training. Locations in Aurora, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Lakewood, University Hills, and Westminster.
Provides physical, occupational, speech-language, applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other therapy programs for children through 21 years of age.
Civil rights advocacy organization serving children and teens with disabilities and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities and their families.
Advocates for people with disabilities in Colorado and their families. Contact your local chapter.
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council
CoDDC advocates for public policy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.
Provides legal representation, information, and referrals to people with disabilities and their families.
Local chapter of national organization that provides information and referrals for healthcare providers, as well as advocacy and support in the healthcare system.
Information for parents about special education process and law, as well as advocacy.
Activities:
Week-long adventures for children and adults with special needs.
List of autism- and sensory-friendly events and activities.
American Camping Association Rocky Mountain
Lists a variety of camps including camps for children with disabilities.
National Sports Center for the Disabled
Summer (rafting, biking, hiking, sailing, camping) and winter (alpine and cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, snowboarding) recreation activities.
Programs and services to help people with disabilities experience the arts.
Day and week-long summer camps for children and their families with occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
Wilderness adventures for people with varying abilities, disabilities and special needs: skiing, rafting, rock climbing, etc.
Free standing sensory therapy gym featuring a variety of therapeutic tools and equipment, such as balance boards and crash mats, that will help work on coordination and strength.
Reach out to Through the Woods Mental Health Services so we can help guide you towards the appropriate supports for your family!
