The Autism Resource Directory provides information on the Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as the services and supports required by children, youth and adults with this diagnosis. When parents and caregivers learn that their child has Autism, it can be overwhelming and may generate many questions or concerns. This directory provides a comprehensive list of organizations that can provide assessments, treatment and other important support services that are available in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities.st.
The Child and Family Guidance Center is a LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH) contractor that provides Specialized Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) services to children, transition age youth, and adults utilizing evidence-based treatment interventions (EBPs) that are consistent with LAC/DMH Mental Health services Act (MHSA).
The Center also provides families with access to a comprehensive continuum of services depending on the needs of the family ranging from once a week; time limited mental services (PEI) to intensive in-home services that are delivered several times a week with 24-7 availability for crises.
The Community Resource Services is a division dedicated to improving the quality of life for special needs children and their families by helping them to locate, access and effectively use essential community health and social services.
What is Autism?
Autism , or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and communication.
Autism does not always look the same, there are many subtypes, this means it looks and is different in every child.
Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges.
The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged.
Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support, and some live entirely independently.
Common Services:
Social Skills groups: These groups are led by behavior specialists that teach children how to interact appropriately with other children their age. The group allows the child to implement the learned skills in a safe environment with guidance.
Speech Services: Speech services or speech therapy addresses challenges with language and communication. It can be provided by a speech therapist individually or in a group setting. The treatment can be to improve articulation and help with the child’s verbal and social communication.
Applied Behavior Analysis Services (ABA): ABA is a type of behavioral therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, and communication. The goal of ABA is to change behavior through a system of rewards and consequences. This service is often delivered in the home where a behavior therapist can work with the child and parent to reach the established goals.
Parent Training: Parent training programs work to educate parents and other caregivers in specific ABA techniques, since research suggests that parental involvement enhances the effectiveness of ABA treatment. Parent training teaches parents how to teach their child new skills, encourage them to use them throughout their day, and manage challenging behaviors.
Adaptive Skills Training: This treatment aims to increase a child’s daily living skills to support their independence in their home and community. Adaptive skills include grooming, self-care, social and communication skills, and occupational skills.
Levels of Diagnosis:
Level 1
Level 2
High Functioning Autism Autism
Requiring support
Difficulty initiating social interactions
Inflexibility of behavior
Difficulty switching activities
Problems with organization
Requiring substantial support
Marked deficits with social interactions
Inflexibility of behavior
Difficulty or distress copping with change
Repetitive behaviors
Level 3
Severe Autism
Requiring very substantial support
Severe deficits with social interactions and communication
Inflexibility of behavior
Extreme difficulty or distress copping with change
Repetitive behaviors interfere with functioning
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL CENTERS
Many individuals with developmental disabilities that are present before age 18 are eligible for Regional Center services. Each Regional Center is a nonprofit, private corporation that contracts with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate or provide community support, resources and access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. There are 21 Regional Centers throughout California, seven of which are in Los Angeles County:
Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (626) 299-4700
Eastern LA County, including the communities of Alhambra and Whittier
Zip codes: 90022, 90023, 90031-90033, 90040-90042, 90050, 90063, 90065, 90601-90609, 90631, 90638, 90640, 90660, 90670, 91030, 91031, 91107, 91108, 91770, 91754-91756, 91778, 91780, 91800-91803
Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center (213) 383-1300
Central LA County, including Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Downtown LA, Hollywood, Wilshire, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Eagle Rock, and Foothill communities
Zip codes: 90004-90006, 90010, 90012-90015, 90017, 90019-90021, 90026, 90027-90029, 90036, 90038, 90039, 90041, 90046, 90048, 90051, 90053-90055, 90057, 90060, 90068-90072, 91011, 91020, 91023, 91046, 91101-91106, 91109, 91201-91210, 91214, 91501-91506
Harbor Regional Center (310) 540-1711
Southern LA County, including Bellflower, Harbor City, Long Beach, and Torrance
Zip codes: 90254, 90266, 90274, 90277, 90501-90510, 90650, 90701, 90704, 90706, 90710, 90712-90717, 90731-90733, 90744-90747, 90801-90810, 9081390815, 90822, 90840
North Los Angeles County Regional Center (818) 778-1900
Northern LA County, including the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys
Zip codes: 90290, 91040, 91042, 91301-91307, 91310, 91316, 91320, 91321, 91324-91326, 91330, 91331, 91335, 91340, 91341-91345, 91350, 91352, 91355, 91356, 91359-91362, 91364, 91367, 91401-91413, 91423, 91601-91609, 93020-93022, 93062, 93065, 93243, 93510, 93532, 93534-93536, 93539, 93543, 93550, 93551, 93553, 93555, 93563
The agencies on this document are listed for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the quality of services is intended by Community Resource Services of the Child and Family Guidance Center.
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (909) 620-7722
Eastern LA County, Claremont in the east to Altadena in the west
Zip codes: 91001, 91002, 91006, 91010, 91016, 91024, 91104, 91107, 91702, 91706, 91711, 91722-91724, 91731-91734, 91740, 91744-91750, 91765-91769, 91773, 91780, 91789, 91790-91793
Westside Regional Center (310) 258-4000
West LA, from Malibu in the north to Gardena in the south
Zip codes: 90003, 90008, 90024, 90025, 90034, 90035, 90044, 90045, 90047, 90049, 90056, 90064, 90066, 90067, 90210-90212, 90230, 90245, 90247-90250, 90260, 90265, 90272, 90278, 90291, 90301-90305, 90401- 90405
South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (213) 763-7800
Southern LA, including the communities of Compton, Gardena, and Downey
Zip codes: 90001-90003, 90007, 90008, 90011, 90016, 90018, 90037, 90043, 90044, 90047, 90058, 90059, 90061, 90062, 90201, 90220-90224, 90240-90242, 90255, 90262, 90270, 90723, 90280
North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC)
www.nlacrc.org
North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) is one of 21 private, non-profit organizations under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate and provide community-based services to persons with developmental disabilities, as well as providing Early Start services for infants and toddlers with certain delays and established risk conditions. NLACRC serves people who live in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys.
San Fernando Valley (Main office)
9200 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 100 Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 778-1900 (818) 756-6140 Fax
What can the regional center do?
Santa Clarita Valley 25360 Magic Mountain Parkway, Suite 150 Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 775-8450 (661) 775-8454 Fax
Antelope Valley Office 43850 10th Street West Lancaster, CA 93534 (661) 945-6761 (661) 942-4050 Fax
Regional centers help assess, obtain, coordinate and monitor services that support children and adults with developmental disabilities.
What type of services does NLACRC offer?
Regional centers provide or coordinate the following services and supports, as they relate to a person’s developmental disability:
• Information and referral
• Assessment and diagnosis
• Individualized planning and service coordination
• Purchase of services included in the Individual Program Plan
• Assistance in finding and using community and other resources
• Advocacy
• Early intervention services for at-risk infants and their families
• Family support
The agencies on this document are listed for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the quality of services is intended by Community Resource Services of the Child and Family Guidance Center.
• Planning, placement, and monitoring of 24-hour out-of-home care
• Training and educational opportunities for individuals and families
• Community education about developmental disabilities
How to apply for services?
Depending on the age of the person applying, you must complete the Early Start Program or Lanterman Act Services application to begin the intake process.
Applications can be completed online: https://www.nlacrc.org/about-us/eligibility
Start Program (Ages 0-3)
An application must be completed. Eligibility is based on an infant or toddler having one or more of the following conditions:
• A delay in one or more areas of development (cognitive, physical, communication, social or emotional, adaptive) before 36 months (about 3 years).
• High-Risk for developmental disability due to a combination of two or more risk factors.
To determine the child’s eligibility, NLACRC will complete an evaluation to assess the child’s developmental level. Early Start eligibility determination may take up to 45 days (about 1 and a half months)
Act Services (Ages 3+ through Adult)
An application must be completed. To be eligible for Regional Center Services an individual must have a Developmental Disability.
A developmental disability is a condition attributable to:
• Intellectual Impairment
• Epilepsy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Autism
• Disabling conditions found to be closely related to intellectual disability or requiring treatment similar to.
Additionally, the disability must:
• Originate before 18, continue or is expected to continue indefinitely and constitute a substantial disability for the person.
• Cause a functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity of independent living, economic self-sufficiency.
• A developmental disability does not include other handicapping conditions related to learning, mental health or physical health.
The agencies on this document are listed for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the quality of services is intended by Community Resource Services of the Child and Family Guidance Center.
Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans
If you are looking for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services and you have Medi-Cal coverage, you should call your Medi-Cal plan to request a list of agencies that provides those services. You can choose to get your health care from L.A. Care directly, or one of the other plan partners who work to provide Medi-Cal coverage in L.A. County. These include Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Kaiser Permanente, and Health Net. Please follow the chart below and call your specific Medi-Cal plan for a referral.
L.A.Care Health Plan
Anthem Blue Cross (888) 285-7801
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (800) 605-2556
Kaiser Permanente (800) 464-4000
L.A.Care Health Plan
1-888-4LA-CARE Health Net (888) 926-4988
Applied Behavior Analysis Agencies (ABA)
A Change in Trajectory PL1145 Van Nuys 818-235-1414
ABEDI PL1183 Van Nuys 818-786-0205
ABA Network PL1404 West Hills 818-379-3212
Applied Behavior & Learning Enterprises PL1105 Chatsworth 818-909-2253
Autism Behavior Intervention PL0989 Encino 818-501-3615
Behavior Education Services Team PL1114 Granada Hills 818-576-0464
Behavioral Learning Center PL0776 Sherman Oaks 818-308-6226
Behavior Therapy Clinic PL0357 Encino 818-788-2388
B.I.G. Solutions, LLC North Hollywood 818-824-5420
California Psychcare PL1799 Chatsworth 818-401-0661
Center for Autism and Related Disorders PL0363 Woodland Hills 818-960-0630
Children’s Developmental Milestones PL0892 Woodland Hills 818-203-5063
Comprehensive Autism Related Education PL1027 Sherman Oaks 888-353-8285
Creative Behavioral Consultants PL1137 Calabasas 818-932-9644
Foothill Child Development Services PL0954 Van Nuys 818-353-3772
Future Transitions PL0398 Lancaster 661-723-0288
IABA PL0414 Northridge 818-341-1933
Kyo Autism Therapy PL1179 Pasadena 818-937-0882
Institute for Effective Behavioral Interventions PL1249 Van Nuys 818-501-0822
K&L Care PL0995 Sherman Oaks 818-522-4572
Leafwing PL1054 Sherman Oaks 818-442-0921
Lovaas Institute PL1169 Culver City 310-410-4450
Nurture and Nature PL1454 Studio City 818-613-1206
360 Behavioral Health PL1166 Oxnard 805-339-0210
Roman Empire Agency Van Nuys 626-833-8424
Speech Language and Educational Associates PL1374 Encino 818-788-1003
Vista Center for Behavior Analysis PL1026 Newhall 661-425-7066
Working with Autism PL1032 Sherman Oaks 818-501-4240
The agencies on this document are listed for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the quality of services is intended by Community Resource Services of the Child and Family Guidance Center.
Social Skills Groups
Center for Autism and Related Disorders
9335 Reseda Boulevard, Suite 101 Northridge, CA 91324 (818) 960-0633
https://www.centerforautism.com/
UCLA Program for the Education and the Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) (310) 26-PEERS
www.semel.ucla.edu/peers peersclinic@ucla.edu
PEERS provides evidence-based social skills treatment to preschoolers, adolescents, and young adults with autism (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and other special needs.
The HELP Group www.thehelpgroup.org
• Kids Like Me Programs, Camps and Classes www.kidslikemela.org
Support Groups & Parent Training
Family Focus Resource Center
San Fernando Valley (Main Office) 18111 Nordhoff Street, E-109 Northridge, CA 91330-8265 (818) 677-6854
https://www.csun.edu/family-focus-resourcecenter
Email: family.focus@csun.edu
They work with families of children age birth to 22. They help empower parents through:
• Parent-to-parent mentoring
• Workshops and parent education programs
• Comprehensive IEP training
• Family support groups
• Family Empowerment program from the California Department of Education
Other Locations:
Chatsworth (North Los Angeles County Regional Center) Regional Center consumers only 9200 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 100 Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 374-9107
Santa Clarita Valley (North Los Angeles County Regional Center) 25360 Magic Mountain Parkway, Suite 150 Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 294-9715
Antelope Valley (North Los Angeles County Regional Center) 43850 10th St West Lancaster, CA 93534 (661) 945-9598
The agencies on this document are listed for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the quality of services is intended by Community Resource Services of the Child and Family Guidance Center.
Autism Society of Los Angeles
Warm Line (424) 299-1531
http://www.autismla.org/1/program/speakerseries/
• Questions regarding diagnosis and navigation of the healthcare system.
• Spanish speaking staff available.
Passport to Learning INC.
41319 12th Street West, Suite 102
Palmdale, CA 93551 (661) 538-9200
Contact: Stephanie Saint
• Adaptive Skills Training
• Adaptive Living Skills
• Independent Living Skills
• Parenting Support Services
Department of Mental Health - DMH Access Center
1(800) 854-7771 Option 1
https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/disasterservices/access-hotline/
Mental health services for Medi-Cal recipients
This is a 24/7 “Access Center” that can assist with linkage to mental health services in the community.
The Autism Community in Action (TACA) (855) 726-7810 www.tacanow.org
• Provides information, resources, and an online support group.
• Library of resources and materials.
• Parent Mentor Program available through their free membership.
Autism Speaks
6330 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 401 Los Ángeles, CA 90048 (323) 549-0500 /(888) 288-4762 (888) 772-9050 En Español www.autismspeaks.org
Help@autismspeaks.org
100 Day Kit for Young Children | Autism Speaks
• Provides education, resources, and support
• 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed for Young Children (under 5)
• 100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families of School Age Children (5-13)
• Is it Autism and If So, What Next? A Guide for Adults
Self-Advocacy Group
NLACRC Office
9200 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 100 Chatsworth, California 91311 (818) 756-6289
A social support group facilitated by and for adults with developmental disabilities. Meetings are held once a month.
The agencies on this document are listed for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the quality of services is intended by Community Resource Services of the Child and Family Guidance Center.
