Delaware School Autism Services: Who to Call First
In short: If you suspect your child may need autism-related services through Delaware public schools, start by contacting your local school district's special education department or Child Find. For children under three, call the Delaware Birth to Three Early Intervention System. These teams will guide you through evaluations and creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) if needed.
Key takeaways
- Your first call should be to your local school district's special education office or Child Find.
- For children under 3, contact Delaware's Birth to Three Early Intervention.
- Evaluations through the school district are free and legally required under IDEA.
- An IEP can include ABA-related goals, but ABA therapy itself is often covered by Medicaid or insurance.
Understanding Delaware's School-Based Autism Services
Delaware public schools are required by federal law-specifically the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)-to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum. This means your local school district can offer evaluations, specialized instruction, and related services (such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral supports) at no cost to you. However, knowing exactly which office to call first can save you time and frustration.
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Who to Call First: Your Local School District
For school-aged children (ages 3 through 21), the first and most important contact is the special education department in the school district where you live. Delaware has 19 school districts and several charter schools, each with its own special education coordinator. You do not need a medical diagnosis to request an evaluation-you only need a concern about your child's development, learning, or behavior.
How to Find Your District's Special Education Contact
- Visit your district's website and look for a link labeled "Special Education," "Student Services," or "Exceptional Children."
- Call the district's main office and ask for the special education director or coordinator.
- If you are unsure which district serves your address, use the Delaware Department of Education's school locator tool online.
The Critical First Step: Child Find
Delaware operates a "Child Find" system as part of IDEA. This is a statewide effort to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who may need special education services. When you contact your district's special education department, they will likely refer you to the Child Find coordinator. This person will explain the evaluation process, answer your questions, and help you complete a written request to evaluate your child. You can also call the Delaware Department of Education's Exceptional Children Resources at (302) 735-4000 for additional guidance.
What If Your Child Is Under Three? Delaware Birth to Three
If your child is younger than 3, the first call should be to the Delaware Birth to Three Early Intervention System. This program is part of the state's Part C early intervention services under IDEA. You can reach them at (302) 739-5444 or visit their website. Birth to Three provides free evaluations and services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, including autism. Services are typically delivered in your home or community and can include ABA-based strategies, speech therapy, and family training. Once your child turns 3, the responsibility shifts to your local school district.
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The Evaluation Process: What to Expect
After you submit a written request to your school district or to Birth to Three, the agency has a legal timeline to respond. In Delaware, the school district must provide you with prior written notice and request your consent to evaluate within 15 calendar days (or 10 school days, whichever is longer) of receiving your request. Once you give consent, the evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days.
What the Evaluation Includes
- A review of your child's medical, developmental, and educational history.
- Observations in multiple settings (home, school, childcare).
- Assessments by qualified professionals, which may include a school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and a behavior specialist.
- A written report that determines if your child meets the eligibility criteria for autism under Delaware's guidelines.
You are a critical member of the evaluation team. Provide written consent only after you understand what will be assessed. You can also share private evaluations from doctors or therapists-these must be considered by the school team.
Building the IEP: Goals, Services, and Supports
If your child is found eligible under the autism category, the school team will develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP includes specific goals, accommodations, and services tailored to your child's needs. Related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling may be included. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is not typically provided as a stand-alone service by Delaware public schools, but ABA strategies can be embedded into the school day through a behavior intervention plan or specialized instruction from a trained aide or behavior specialist.
What About ABA Therapy Through the School?
Most Delaware school districts do not directly provide 1:1 ABA therapy from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) as a related service on the IEP. However, the IEP can include functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) that incorporate ABA principles. For intensive ABA therapy, many families turn to private providers or use Medicaid or commercial insurance to cover services outside of school hours. If you need help finding a vetted BCBA-led provider, ABA For My Child offers a free matching service to connect you with clinics in Delaware that accept your insurance-including Delaware Medicaid (DMAP).
Practical Tips for Delaware Parents
- Start early. If you have concerns, do not wait. Request an evaluation in writing and keep copies of everything.
- Know your rights. Delaware provides a parent handbook on special education; request it from your district or download from the Delaware Department of Education website.
- Bring a support person to IEP meetings-someone who can take notes and help you stay organized.
- Ask about extended school year (ESY) services if your child regresses without structured learning over summer break.
- Document all contacts-note names, dates, and what was discussed.
- Consider a medical diagnosis in addition to the school eligibility determination. A medical diagnosis from a developmental pediatrician or psychologist can open doors to Medicaid and insurance-funded ABA therapy.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for a formal medical diagnosis before contacting the school. You do not need one to request an evaluation under IDEA.
- Assuming the school will bring up services. You must advocate and request evaluations in writing.
- Signing consent without understanding the scope of the evaluation. Ask questions until you are comfortable.
- Ignoring the 60-day timeline. If the district misses deadlines, you can file a state complaint.
- Relying solely on school services. Many children benefit from additional private therapies-our free matching service can help you find ABA providers.
When School Services Are Not Enough: Finding ABA Therapy
If your child's IEP does not fully address their behavioral or skill-building needs, or if you want more intensive ABA therapy, private ABA providers are available throughout Delaware. Many parents combine school-based support with after-school or in-home ABA programs. Services are often covered by commercial insurance (like Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare) and Delaware's Medicaid program (DMAP). Because navigating insurance can be overwhelming, ABA For My Child can match you with BCBA-led providers who have openings and accept your plan-at no cost to you. Simply visit our website and answer a few questions to get started.