California has separate entry points for early intervention, school services, and developmental services. Start with the system that matches the person’s age and immediate question rather than calling a long list of private providers.
Birth through age two: Early Start
California’s Early Start program serves eligible infants and toddlers from birth through 36 months and their families. The Department of Developmental Services coordinates the program through 21 nonprofit regional centers and local education agencies.
Use the official page to contact the Early Start BabyLine or locate the appropriate regional center. A parent, caregiver, health professional, or other concerned person can make a referral. Ask for the referral date, next evaluation step, service-coordinator contact, and a written explanation of timelines.
California DDS also publishes Early Start parent rights, including notice, consent, records, complaint, mediation, and hearing information.
Call-preparation worksheet
- Child’s date of birth and address
- The specific skills or routines causing concern
- Hearing, vision, medical, or developmental reports already available
- Languages and communication access needed for the family
- Referral date and name of the person who accepted it
- The next action and expected date in writing
Age three and school age: special education
Contact the child’s local public school district to request an evaluation when a disability may be affecting educational access or progress. California’s Department of Education publishes a summary of special education parent rights.
Describe observable educational needs: communication breakdowns, participation, transitions, safety, daily living at school, access to instruction, or another functional or academic barrier. A request is stronger when it explains the school impact rather than naming a preferred program before evaluation.
Bring the autism IEP goals worksheet to turn broad concerns into present levels, observable goals, supports, and progress measures.
Regional centers and developmental services
California’s regional centers are local points of contact for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Use the official regional center directory to find the office serving the person’s residence.
Ask which pathway applies now, what records are required, how eligibility is determined, and whether a separate application is needed for each service. Do not assume an Early Start record automatically completes later regional-center or school processes.
Transition checkpoint around age three
Before a child leaves Early Start, record:
- which agency is responsible for each next step;
- whether a school evaluation has been requested;
- the transition meeting date;
- which supports end, continue, or require a new decision; and
- copies of the current IFSP, evaluations, notices, and consent forms.
California DDS maintains a birth-to-five transition resource page that connects these early-childhood systems.
Keep one contact log
For every call, record the agency, date, person, question, answer, promised follow-up, and reference number. Confirm current eligibility and deadlines with the agency. This guide identifies public entry points; it does not determine an individual’s eligibility or replace legal advice.
Browse all state resource guides or use the free autism skills library to prepare practical questions for the next meeting.