Step-by-Step Guide to Autism Services in California

Autism services in California can feel like a maze—especially if you’ve just moved. When we moved to California, I realized the autism services in California were completely different from what I’d known before. I had to start over and research everything from scratch. One of the first pieces of advice I received was to apply to the Regional Center. At the time, I had no idea what that meant. Was it a clinic? A school? A government office? But I soon learned that it’s one of the most important resources for families raising children with developmental disabilities in California.

Since I know how daunting that research can feel, I’ve pulled together what I learned so you don’t have to start from zero.

Autism Services in California: What Is a Regional Center?

Regional Centers are nonprofit agencies that contract with the State of California through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Their mission is simple but powerful: to provide services and support to people with developmental disabilities so they can live full, independent, and meaningful lives. Regional Centers are often the first place families look when seeing autism services in California.

There are 21 Regional Centers across California, each responsible for serving a specific geographic area. Together, they support more than 400,000 individuals and their families. These centers coordinate many of the most commonly used autism services in California even though they don’t always deliver therapy directly.

It’s important to know that Regional Centers don’t usually provide therapies directly. Instead, they identify your child’s needs and then connect you to services—funding many of them at no cost to families.

For young children, Regional Centers often play a critical role by:

• Providing early intervention services (ages 0–3).
• Offering ongoing support services (ages 3 and older) for those who qualify under state law, known as the Lanterman Act.

Why Apply?

Families who apply to a Regional Center gain access to a wide range of supports that make up the backbone of autism services in California. Some of the biggest benefits include:

• Therapies and services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavior supports, respite care, and social skills programs.
• Case management from a Service Coordinator who helps navigate resources, set goals, and troubleshoot challenges.
• Funding for supports that insurance or school services may not cover — a major reason families pursue Regional Center help when searching for autism services in California.
• Lifelong eligibility (for those who qualify under the Lanterman Act). The types of services may change as your child grows, but the Regional Center can be a consistent support system from infancy through adulthood.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility depends on your child’s age:

• Ages 0–3 (Early Start Program): Children may qualify if they have a developmental delay, an established risk (like a medical condition), or high risk of delay. A formal autism diagnosis is not required at this stage to begin accessing autism services in California.

• Ages 3 and up: To qualify under the Lanterman Act, your child must have a substantial disability due to autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another closely related condition. The disability must significantly affect areas such as communication, learning, or self-care.

Even if your child doesn’t qualify at age 3 for ongoing services, they may still receive help through the school district. That’s why it’s worth applying for Regional Center supports and exploring other autism services in California.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying

1. Find Your Regional Center

Visit the California Department of Developmental Services website (dds.ca.gov) and look up which Regional Center serves your county. Each center has its own intake department. This is the first step toward enrolling in autism services in California.

2. Call the Intake Department

Explain that your child has been diagnosed with autism (or has suspected developmental delays) and that you’d like to start the intake process. They will guide you through next steps, which usually involve completing forms and submitting documentation needed for autism services in California.

3. Gather Required Documents

• Your child’s diagnostic evaluation or medical report
• Birth certificate
• Social Security card (if available)
• Proof of residence (utility bill, lease, etc.)
• Your photo ID

Tip: Keep a binder or folder for all of your child’s paperwork. You’ll need these same documents repeatedly throughout the process.

4. Complete Intake Forms

These forms ask about your child’s medical history, developmental milestones, and current challenges. Be honest and specific. It can be tempting to downplay difficulties, but remember: this information helps determine eligibility and access to autism services in California.

5. Attend the Intake Meeting

An intake coordinator will review your paperwork and ask follow-up questions. For children under 3, assessments may involve observing play, communication, and motor skills. For children over 3, existing diagnostic reports (like an autism evaluation) are especially important.

6. Eligibility Determination

• Under 3: The decision usually comes within 45 days. If eligible, your child enters the Early Start program.
• 3 and older: The process may take longer as the Regional Center reviews whether your child meets the Lanterman Act definition of a substantial disability.

You’ll receive a letter confirming eligibility—or explaining why your child does not qualify. If denied, you have the right to appeal and seek other autism services in California.

Timelines to Keep in Mind

• Early Start Program (0–3): By law, intake and eligibility must be completed within 45 days of your request.
• Lanterman Act (3+): There is no strict deadline, but the process can take several months depending on evaluations and paperwork. If it feels too long, use the steps above to advocate for progress.

What to Do if the Lanterman Act Process Takes Too Long

Unlike Early Start (which has a strict 45-day timeline), there’s no hard deadline for decisions under the Lanterman Act. Families sometimes wait months—far longer than feels reasonable. If this happens, here are steps you can take while continuing to pursue autism services in California:

1. Follow up – Call or email your intake worker every couple of weeks.
2. Escalate if needed – Ask for a supervisor if you’re not getting answers.
3. Send updates – Share new evaluations or reports to speed things up.
4. Request interim help – Ask about parent trainings, groups, or resources while you wait.
5. Keep records – Save all calls, emails, and letters.
6. File a complaint – If delays drag on, contact the Department of Developmental Services.

It may feel uncomfortable to push, but remember: you are advocating for your child, and persistence often makes the difference.

What Happens After Eligibility?

• Ages 0–3: You’ll work with a team to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), which outlines services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or infant development support. These are often provided at home or in community settings. (If this is your first time hearing about IFSPs, my post on navigating your first IFSP breaks down what to expect.)
• Ages 3+: If eligible under the Lanterman Act, your child will be assigned a Service Coordinator and develop an Individual Program Plan (IPP). Services might include social skills groups, respite care, parent training, and more.

Examples of Regional Center–Funded Services

• Speech therapy and occupational therapy (especially for children under 3)
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy or other behavioral supports
• Respite care (giving parents short breaks by funding trained caregivers)
• Parent training and support groups
• Social skills programs for kids and teens
• Summer camps or after-school programs designed for children with disabilities
• Adaptive equipment or assistive technology (like communication devices)
• Transportation assistance for medical or therapy appointments
• Supported living services (as children grow into adulthood)

There are typical autism services in California but not every service is approved for every child—it depends on needs, age, and eligibility. But knowing what’s possible helps you ask the right questions.

Tips for Parents Applying

1. Start early. Don’t wait—services are most effective, especially in the early years.
2. Keep copies of everything. Save all reports, forms, and letters. A binder or digital folder will be your best friend.
3. Be honest about challenges. This isn’t the time to downplay difficulties. The more accurately you describe needs, the better the support.
4. Follow up. If you haven’t heard back within a couple of weeks, call the intake worker to check progress.
5. Know your rights. If your child is denied, you can appeal. Many families succeed on appeal with additional documentation and keep pursuing autism services in California during the process.

Emotional Side of the Process

I’ll be honest: filling out paperwork that asks you to list everything your child cannot do is painful. It can feel like reducing your child to deficits on a page. But over time, I reframed it: those forms were not a reflection of who my child is—they were simply a tool to unlock support.

Final Thoughts

If your child was recently diagnosed with autism in California, applying for Regional Center services is one of the most important steps you can take. It may feel bureaucratic and overwhelming, but at its core, the Regional Center exists to connect families to autism services in California that help kids learn, families get support, and communities become more inclusive.

Take it one step at a time: call, gather documents, complete forms, attend the intake meeting. Remind yourself that this isn’t just paperwork—it’s the doorway to therapies, supports, and a community that understands.