Local resouces

Nearby help
for you and
your child

The following lists serve as a directory of local practitioners who provide various services in the special education community. Listing here does not imply an endorsement from SEED.
If there are any resources that you think would be good additions to this guide, please share it with us in the form below.

Advocates & Attorneys

 

Au Pair Agencies

  • Apex PROaupair: (510) 410-0264. www.proaupair.com
  • Apex Social: a non-profit that provides cultural exchange and live-in care for children with special needs through placing skilled Care Professionals from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. www.apex-social.com

 

Cerebral Palsy

  • Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial resources, and support options for families affected by this condition and other birth injuries. https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/

 

Counselors & Therapists

  • Annette Blackman, PhD, LMFT, 919 Village Center #2, Lafayette, CA, (925) 323-8814. annetteblackman@cs.com
  • Melissa Nolan, Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) with a Masters in Counseling, provides counseling to neurodiverse teens/young adults and parents raising students that are neurodiverse. melissanolan.com

 

Developmental Pediatricians

  • Dr. Marianna Eraklis, 23 Orinda Way, Suite 312, Orinda, CA, (925) 254-4000. Website: www.dbped.com

 

Educational Resources

  • Educational Therapy: Individualized educational therapy services, including Academic Coaching & Executive Functioning Coaching, with Deepa Gosal. www.learningtreecoach.com
  • Sunflower Assessments: Education and child development specialists providing comprehensive evaluations, consultation, resources, and parent/educator training. www.sunflowerassessments.com
  • A Day in Our Shoes: Through her comprehensive website and Facebook group, advocate Lisa Lightner, helps parents navigate the IEP process. www.adayinourshoes.com
  • Deborah Bloom, Educational Consultant: strategic and able to work with LafSD. http://www.deborahbloomconsultants.com
  • Derek Cavilla, principal of Futures Academy of Walnut Creek: wealth of knowledge of twice exceptional students. Former educational consultant. www.futures.edu 
  • Mindful Littles: Strengthening connectedness through compassion experiences for youth. www.mindfullittles.org

 

Entertainment & Fun

  • AMC Sensory-Friendly Movies: On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, select AMC theaters offer a sensory-friendly screening of kid-friendly new releases. Current locations include Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose. www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films
  • We GET It! Contra Costa County Chapter: Play & Support Groups. More info here.

 

Music

  • Sam Zavaleta Studios: www.zavaletastudios.com

 

Neuropsychologists

  • Dr. Elea Bernou, Neuropsychologist: www.eastbayassessment.com 
    Personal recommendation from our SEED community, “Very thorough and accurate w/ diagnosis + very gentle demeanor w/ kids and parents. Been w/ our family since my son was 3rd grade and has done 2 assessments for my son.”

 

Parenting

 

Occupational Therapists

 

Scouting

  • Boy Scout Troop 1994 in Concord, CA: Provides special needs youth an opportunity to thrive in a traditional Boy Scouts of America Program. Contact: David and Sheila Rowntree, rowntreedavid@att.net
  • Boy Scout Troop 224 in Lafayette, CA: Partners with an existing scouting program that is very experienced with scouting for special needs boys & girls. Visit their website for more information: www.troop224lafayette.com

 

Speech Therapists

  • All Brains Speech Therapy: Molly Ramassini, M.S., CCC-SLP,  specializes in working on overall language with gestalt language processors, neurodiversity affirming social communication, and early language skills! www.AllBrainsSpeechTherapy.com
  • Cameron Speech-Language Center: 8 Camino Encinas, Suite 220, Orinda, CA, (925) 386-6256. www.cameronspeech-languagecenter.com
  • Child’s Play Therapy Services: 3400 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 200, Lafayette, CA, 925-954-4546. www.cptherapyservices.com
  • Dr. Robin Hauge, speech language pathologist: 925-788-0451
  • The Speech Pathology Group: 2021 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite C202, Walnut Creek. www.speechpathologygroup.com

 

Sports Organizations & Inclusive Play Spaces

  • Challenger Little League: Program for children ages 5-18 with physical and/or educational challenges helping them to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. Website: www.lafayettelittleleague.org/page/show/693820-challenger-2013-
  • East Bay Sea Serpents: Runs both spring and fall swim team programs in the Lamorinda community. www.ebss.team
  • Oakland Ice Center Operated by Sharks Ice: Special needs and therapeutic skating programs designed for athletes with physical and developmental challenges. www.oaklandice.com/figure-skating/special-needs-therapeutic-skating-program
  • Spirited Play Labs: an inclusive play space and group therapy center in San Ramon. The play space is open-ended and offers developmental enrichment for children ages 0-9. The play groups are led by specialists in the area and use a Floortime approach to engage kiddos in social play with peers. www.spiritedplaylabs.com
  • Walnut Creek E-Soccer: Inclusive soccer program serving central and east Contra Costa County. www.e-sports.org/location/walnut-creek/
  • Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center: Therapeutic riding and hippo therapy for children with a wide range of disabilities in a safe and secure environment. www.xenophontrc.org

 

Support Groups

  • All in Need Family Support: Supports families of children with special needs by offering respite care in a nurturing and learning environment promoting social interaction and motor activities in a sensory-based environment. www.allinneed.org
  • Care Parent Network: Parent-to-parent emotional support and help navigating services for families of children (birth to 22 years) with special needs. www.contracostaarc.org/html/care.html
  • CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder: Non-profit organization that supplies scientific, research-based information to parents and adults with ADHD. www.chaddnorcal.org
  • Contra Costa Child Care Council Inclusion Project: Offers support to parents and licensed childcare providers throughout Contra Costa County for children requiring special accommodations in child care settings. www.cocokids.org/learning-institute/inclusion-project/
  • Faith-Based Special Needs Support: A consortium of churches and synagogues that provide support for families with diverse abilities. Contact: Kristine Gilmore, 925-683-0078; Kristine.gilmore@pswc.org

  

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