Peninsula local guide

Intellectual Disability Evaluations in Palo Alto

Where to get intellectual disability evaluation in Palo Alto: free public options, local providers with sourced details, and what to ask before you book.

A bench overlooking the water at the Palo Alto Baylands nature preserve
Photo: King of Hearts, 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 Palo Alto.

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Free public evaluations

Free public evaluations for Palo Alto 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 San Andreas Regional Center

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
  • SARC contracts with outside providers for Early Start assessments, and the right number depends on your county.
  • For Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties, call Stars Infant Development at 1-844-700-9889 or use the 'STARS Assessment Request' link on SARC's Early Start page.
  • For Monterey County only, call Trumpet Behavioral Health at 1-831-443-1279 (fax referral line (831) 424-5566).
  • The email address sarcintake@starsinfantprogram.com appears only on the DDS Regional Center Listings page, not on SARC's own page; DDS lists it for the Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Benito intake.
  • The same DDS listing also shows earlystartintake@bluesprigpediatrics.com in SARC's fax field, with no explanation, so it is not used here.
  • DDS's county-by-county Family Resource Center page still lists different, apparently older intake numbers: Santa Clara (800) 404-5900, Santa Cruz (855) 370-3588, San Benito (831) 630-2525.
  • This file uses the numbers on SARC's own page, which match the DDS Regional Center Listings page.
  • SARC says assessment, eligibility, and the IFSP are completed within 45 days of first contact.
  • Family Resource Centers: Santa Clara, Parents Helping Parents (855) 727-5775; Santa Cruz and San Benito, Special Parents Information Network (831) 722-2800; Monterey, Special Kids Connect (831) 372-2730 (DDS name; SARC's page calls it 'Special Kids Crusade').
Free · ages 3 to 5

Special Education Preschool (Greendell School): Palo Alto 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
  • For children ages 3 to 5.
  • Greendell's page says: 'Questions can be directed to: Keri Bates (kbates@pausd.org), School Psychologist (650) 856-0833 x3854.'
  • Children may be identified through 'parent contacts, pediatrician/family physician referrals, early childhood screenings, and teacher referrals.'
  • Greendell School is at 4120 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
  • The district's Special Education page says services begin at age 3.

Write your request letter with the California timelines included.

Checked Oct 16, 2026 · greendell.pausd.org, pausd.org

Learn more
Free · kindergarten to 12th grade

Special education assessment: Palo Alto 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
  • PAUSD's instruction: 'A referral for special education assessment may come from a parent/guardian, or site team at any time.
  • A referral may be in writing or verbal.'
  • The site team must respond within 15 days with either an Assessment Plan or a Prior Written Notice declining the request.
  • PAUSD encourages a Student Study Team (SST) meeting first, but that meeting is not required before a referral.

Write your request letter with the California timelines included.

Checked Oct 16, 2026 · greendell.pausd.org, pausd.org

Learn more
Free · age 3 and older

Regional center eligibility at San Andreas Regional Center

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 ages 3 and up.
  • SARC's intake page says to call (408) 374-9960 for Santa Clara County, (831) 900-3737 for Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, or (831) 900-3636 for Monterey County.
  • The same page also links an online 'SARC Intake Interest Form'.
  • SARC says the first interview is preferably held within 15 working days of the decision to assess, and eligibility is determined within 120 days of that meeting.
  • Children aged 3 or 4 may qualify under provisional eligibility.
Palo Alto provider directory

Intellectual Disability Evaluation providers near Palo Alto

No listed providers yet

We haven't listed a intellectual disability provider near Palo Alto 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

EvaluationIntellectual Disability Evaluation
Common formatOften 3–8 hours across visits
Private-pay context$1,500–$5,000+ (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.”

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