Autism Resources in Aurora, Colorado

Aurora is one of Colorado's most consequential cities for autism services. It is home to the Anschutz Medical Campus — including Children's Hospital Colorado, the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and JFK Partners (the state's leading center for autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities care, training, and research). For autism families in Aurora, this means most of the specialty care that other Colorado families travel for is right here.

That density of resources matters in practical ways: diagnostic evaluations, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, complex care coordination, and research opportunities are all available close to home. Local ABA providers, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists serve the area widely, with both clinic-based and home-based options. Waitlists are still real for many services — Anschutz's autism programs are sought after across the entire mountain west — but Aurora families generally have more options than families in less specialty-rich parts of Colorado.

Aurora is also large and geographically diverse — multiple school districts serve different parts of the city, and providers cluster in specific neighborhoods. Knowing your specific address, school district, and insurance is important for accessing the right local options.

For autism diagnosis in Aurora, families have unusually strong options. Children's Hospital Colorado on the Anschutz campus and JFK Partners (the University of Colorado's center for autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities) are nationally regarded for autism evaluation. Private psychologists and developmental pediatricians throughout the Denver metro also evaluate. Each option has its own waitlist — JFK Partners and Children's Colorado in particular can have long waits — and getting on multiple waitlists in parallel is the standard advice.

For children under three with developmental concerns, Early Intervention Colorado provides free evaluations and services to eligible families. You don't need a formal autism diagnosis to start; early intervention is based on developmental need. Contact your local Community Centered Board (CCB) to begin.

For school-age children, school district evaluations through the IEP process can also identify learning and developmental needs without requiring a separate medical diagnosis. That route doesn't replace a clinical diagnosis when one is needed, but it's a parallel path to school-based services.

Aurora has a wide range of autism therapy options, including some of the most specialized in the country. ABA therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, and mental health support are all widely available, with providers clustered around the Anschutz campus, across southeast Aurora and Cherry Creek, and throughout the Denver metro at large. Both clinic-based and home-based services are common.

Most major commercial insurance plans, as well as Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid), cover autism therapies when they are medically necessary and the child has a qualifying diagnosis. Colorado has had a state insurance mandate covering autism since 2009, and ABA therapy is widely covered — though provider availability and waitlists still vary.

When choosing a therapy provider, look for someone whose approach is naturalistic and child-led — not one that is purely compliance- or drill-focused. Asking about their stance on stimming, on autistic-adult feedback about traditional ABA, and on family involvement is useful. Our autism therapy options guide goes deeper into what to look for.

Aurora is served by several school districts depending on geography: Aurora Public Schools (Adams-Arapahoe 28J), Cherry Creek School District in south Aurora, and small portions covered by other districts. Which district serves you depends on your specific address.

All Colorado districts operate under federal IDEA law: if you suspect your child has a disability affecting their education, you can request an evaluation in writing at any time, and the district must respond within set timeframes. If your child qualifies, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. For children who don't qualify for an IEP but still need accommodations, a 504 plan may apply.

PEAK Parent Center is Colorado's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free, statewide help with special education and disability rights. Our autism rights and advocacy guide explains the IEP and 504 process in more depth.

The Denver metro has a strong network of sensory-friendly and inclusive options that Aurora families regularly use. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Zoo, the Children's Museum of Denver, and other major attractions periodically offer sensory-friendly hours. Aurora Public Library and the broader metro library system often have inclusive children's programming. Several parks across Aurora and the metro have inclusive playgrounds, and some Aurora Parks and Recreation programs accommodate autistic kids when families ask in advance.

For meeting other families, the Autism Society of Colorado runs in-person and online groups across the metro, and Aurora-area parent groups exist on Facebook and similar platforms. Our autism-friendly activities guide has more on the broader approach.

For most Colorado families, funding for autism services comes from a mix of Health First Colorado (Medicaid), commercial insurance, and state programs.

Health First Colorado (Medicaid) covers medically necessary autism services for eligible children, including ABA therapy with a qualifying diagnosis. Commercial insurance in Colorado is required by state law to cover autism diagnosis and treatment, including ABA — a mandate that has been in place since 2009.

For longer-term and more intensive support needs, Colorado offers several waivers, including the Children's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver and the Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) Waiver, administered through Colorado's Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. These have waitlists; applying early is important.

For young children, Early Intervention Colorado delivers early intervention services free for eligible families under age three.

Several state-level resources are especially worth knowing about:

• Children's Hospital Colorado — based on the Anschutz campus in Aurora, one of the country's leading pediatric specialty centers.
• JFK Partners — the University of Colorado School of Medicine's autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities center, also at Anschutz.
• The Autism Society of Colorado — a parent-led nonprofit running support groups, events, and information for families across the state.
• PEAK Parent Center — Colorado's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center; free, statewide help with special education and disability rights.
• Early Intervention Colorado — the state's Part C early intervention program for children under three.

For getting your bearings on what comes next after a diagnosis, our first 100 days guide is the right starting place. See our Colorado state guide for a broader statewide overview.