East Bay local guide

Developmental Evaluations in Oakland

Where to get developmental evaluation in Oakland: free public options, local providers with sourced details, and what to ask before you book.

Lake Merritt surrounded by downtown Oakland buildings and neighborhoods
Photo: Robert Hsiao, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where do I start?

Four questions, your next steps.

Answer a few questions about your child and we'll show you the free programs and evaluation options that fit, in Oakland.

Find my starting point
Free public evaluations

Free public evaluations for Oakland families

California pays for these evaluations. Which program you contact depends on your child's age. You can use them and a private evaluator at the same time.

Free · birth to 3

Early Start at Regional Center of the East Bay

A free developmental evaluation for babies and toddlers.

  • AgesBirth to 3
  • CostFree
  • How to startRefer your own child. No doctor or diagnosis needed.
  • TimelineEvaluation and first plan within 45 days
How to apply, step by step
  • For children from birth to 3 years old.
  • RCEB says to call the Early Start Intake line at (510) 618-6195, email earlystartreferrals@rceb.org, fax an inquiry to (510) 678-4156, or complete the general inquiry form online.
  • An Intake Coordinator then schedules an interview, and RCEB says the assessment process is completed within 45 days of the first referral.
  • Early Start Family Resource Centers listed by DDS: Alameda, Family Resource Navigators (510) 547-7322; Contra Costa, CARE Parent Network (925) 313-0999.

Checked Oct 16, 2026 · rceb.org, dds.ca.gov

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Free · ages 3 to 5

Early Childhood Evaluation Center (ECEC): Oakland Unified School District

A free special education assessment, whether or not your child attends a district preschool.

  • Ages3 to 5
  • CostFree
  • How to startAsk in writing
  • TimelinePlan within 15 days, results within 60 days of signing
How to ask the district, step by step
  • The ECEC is OUSD's central hub for assessing children, typically ages 3 to 5, who may qualify for special education before kindergarten.
  • It serves Oakland residents only.
  • OUSD's Family Resources page links an online intake form for children aged 2 years 8 months to 4 years 10 months.
  • The ECEC page gives the address as 950 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94608, but OUSD's chooseousd.org contacts page lists 746 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 for the ECEC.
  • The two addresses conflict, so call before visiting.
  • OUSD's 2025-26 Special Education Program Guide also lists an early-childhood (ages 3-5) Child Find facilitator: Silvia Nuno, (510) 879-5004, silvia.nuno@ousd.org.

Write your request letter with the California timelines included.

Free · kindergarten to 12th grade

Special education assessment: Oakland Unified School District

A free special education assessment for students in the district.

  • AgesKindergarten to 12th grade
  • CostFree
  • How to startAsk in writing
  • TimelinePlan within 15 days, results within 60 days of signing
How to ask the district, step by step
  • OUSD's instruction: 'If your child attends an OUSD K-12 school or participating charter, simply submit a request to your school site's main office, principal or resource specialist.'
  • For a private school student who lives in Oakland: 'email your request to Peggy.Forbes@ousd.org or submit a written request in person at 915 54th Street, Oakland, CA 94608.'

Write your request letter with the California timelines included.

Free · age 3 and older

Regional center eligibility at Regional Center of the East Bay

Lifelong services for qualifying developmental disabilities.

  • Ages3 and older
  • CostFree intake and assessment
  • Who qualifiesAutism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a closely related condition
How to apply, step by step
  • For anyone over 3 who may have a developmental disability.
  • Contact the Intake Coordinator at (510) 618-6122, email intakeoverthree@rceb.org, fax (510) 678-4122, or complete the over-age-three general inquiry form online.
  • RCEB says an Assessment Counselor schedules the first intake appointment within 15 working days, and eligibility assessments are completed within 120 days of that appointment.
  • Children aged 3 or 4 may qualify under provisional eligibility.

Checked Oct 16, 2026 · rceb.org, dds.ca.gov

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Oakland provider directory

Developmental Evaluation providers near Oakland

No listed providers yet

We haven't listed a developmental provider near Oakland yet.

We only list an organization once we've confirmed its location and the evaluation services it publishes. The public programs above don't depend on our listings.

Before you book

Before you book

EvaluationDevelopmental Evaluation
Common formatOften 1–3 appointments
Private-pay context$800–$3,500+ (illustrative)
Do you evaluate this age and concern regularly?Is this comprehensive testing or a consultation?Which parts are in person?What records should we send?Is a feedback meeting included?What is the current wait for a first appointment?
Directory transparency

No scraped profiles. No pay-to-rank results.

We're starting the California directory in the Bay Area and adding providers slowly. A profile appears only after we confirm the organization, its location, and the services it publishes. Details we haven't confirmed are labeled “Not yet confirmed.”

How review works