Infant Toddler Early Intervention services are a free, voluntary program that can help families who reside in Philadelphia with children ages 0-3 (birth to the day before 3rd birthday), who have concerns about a child’s development, learning, and behavior. Anyone who has a concern about a child’s development can make a referral for a multi-disciplinary evaluation to determine eligibility for services.
Intake: 215-685-4646 or birthto3ei@phila.gov
Services: Depending on your zip code, you will either be assigned to Childlink: 215- 731- 2100 or Partnership for Community Supports 267-350-4500
EI Supports and Services Fact Sheet
Map of Childlink or Partnership by Zip Code
Intake & Multi-Disciplinary Evaluations: 215-222-8054, Option #1
Family Resource Center: 215-222-8054, Option #2
ELS Referral Email: 3to5ELReferral_@elwyn.org
For families of children already in-service, please contact your child’s LEA Representative (previously referred to as Service Coordinator) or the regional leadership email addresses below, with any questions regarding your child’s program.
ELS-North-Northeast ELS-North-Northeast@elwyn.org
ELS-Northwest-Central ELS-Northwest-Central@elwyn.org
ELS-South-West ELS-South-West@elwyn.org
Elwyn ELS Family Resource Center (FRC) Flyer
Elwyn ELS Family Resource Center (FRC) Flyer_CMN
Elwyn ELS Family Resource Center (FRC) Flyer_SPANISH
Preschool EI – What to Expect – English
Preschool EI – What to Expect – Mandarin
Preschool EI – What to Expect – Spanish
GOING TO KINDERGARTEN? No matter where your child will go, or what their abilities are, registration by May the year before, at your local elementary school is required to secure a spot in the kindergarten system.
Provides training and technical assistance to local Infant Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention agencies. Has resources for families – including important forms, agencies, etc. Has resources to support early intervention and families during COVID-19, as well as video resources, and information about assistive technology, autism, inclusion and more.
View WebsitePrimary Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (PriCare)
Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement. This training model assists caregivers to address children who have disruptive behaviors or traumatic experiences and improves their ability to form relationships and follow instructions. This model is offered as an intervention under Early Intervention.
View WebsiteIncludes resources/fliers for families sharing information on key interventions to address health risks in a child’s first five years of life. Fliers in topic areas such as early intervention and early childhood education.
View WebsiteFree, quality, pre-K at over 130 centers throughout Philadelphia, no income requirements http://www.phlprek.org/programs/
Call 844-PHL-PREK or 844-745-7735 for more information.
Office of Specialized Services
Early Intervention – Includes Early Intervention transition meeting schedule, next steps for Kindergarten and information about the difference between school-aged services and early intervention services
Special Education Directors and Case Managers – Contact information and a list of schools that each Director and Case Manager is assigned to support.
Special Education Compliance Managers (SPECMs) – Contact information for the Special Education Compliance Manager (SPECM) and the school they support with special education supports and services.
Parent/Guardian Support & Resources
440 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
GOING TO KINDERGARTEN? No matter where your child will go, or what their abilities are, registration by May the year before, at your local elementary school is required to secure a spot in the kindergarten system.
This site has been developed to highlight a spectrum of available resources to support families of children with autism within the School District of Philadelphia during the COVID-19 crisis.
Includes links to information about the Philly HopeLine (English and Spanish), food distribution sites, calming resources, chromebook help, SDP family resources, and the FACE website.
View WebsiteMany educational documents are available in a variety of languages for families: https://www.philasd.org/face/multilingual/
Translates District-wide documents in the nine languages of greater diffusion (Albanian, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese), as well as school-specific documents; support oral interpretation requests from schools and offices, and manage school-based interpreters who speak more than 40 languages and dialects. School-based staff facilitate workshops and training for families in their language.
440 N. Broad St. Philadelphia PA 19130
Student placement, after school programs, supports for multilingual families, ESL classes, interpreters, translations and information and referrals for mental health supports, and emergency family needs, all services are free. Family Engagement Liaisons Contact List
440 N. Broad St. 1st Floor, Suite: 114, Philadelphia PA 19130
The Office of the Inspector General is an independent entity within the School District of Philadelphia responsible for administrative and criminal investigations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity, mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and waste. You can report fraud, waste, and abuse by calling (215) 400-4030, by email to inspectorgeneral@philasd.org, by filling out the form found on their forms page, by mail to 440 N. Broad St. Suite 1066, Philadelphia, PA 19130 or by calling their anonymous tip line (215) 400-8477.
440 N. Broad St. Suite 1066, Philadelphia, PA 19130
The School District of Philadelphia Summer Program Guide: arts, multilingual immigrant programs for all ages, special needs, job training, and more!
View WebsiteAll children in the state of PA have the right to a free public education which includes special education supports if needed. Immigrant and refugee children do NOT need a green card, visa, passport, alien registration number, social security number or proof of citizenship or immigration status to register for school.
For more information in English and many other languages please see these sites:
Early learning resource center for Philadelphia – Helps locate preschools, camp and childcare and afterschool programs as well as assisting with obtaining subsidized childcare and navigating systems and helping to address behavioral need for a child in care . Find early childhood resources and programs in your area.
Provides information about professional development, special education forms and resources, family information, videos and more.
Forms are available for the Infant-Toddler/Early Intervention, Preschool/Early Intervention, and School-age programs. https://www.pattan.net/forms/
PaTTAN – East – 333 Technology Drive, Malvern, PA 19355 – (610) 265-7321; (800) 441-3215; Video Phone (VP): (610) 572-3430
Childcare for medically fragile children (ages 0-7) needing skilled nursing care Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:30pm. Transportation provided.
Multiple locations: including the Pediatric Day Health Care Center – 8101 Washington Lane Wyncote PA 19095
All inclusive, autism friendly childcare options available. Located in Bensalem. Shares a building with MCC Behavioral Health. Located off I 95 at Woodhaven Road.
800 Clarmont Avenue, Suite A, Bensalem, PA 19020
Available to families with 3 and 4 year old children, who meet income requirements. 10-month program includes breakfast, lunch and snack).
Bright Futures Program Handbook
CREATE (Creating Relationships and Emotional Adaptability in a Therapeutic Environment) enrollment is available throughout the year as needed.
2901 Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Home and center-based Early Head Start for ages 0-3
Early Head Start services are available to pregnant women and families with children under the age of 3. To qualify, you must have a family income at or below the federal poverty guidelines and a permanent residence in identified areas of West Philadelphia.
For more information or to find out whether you qualify for Early Head Start at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, call 267-425-9900 or e-mail us at ehsinfo@email.chop.edu.
Helps locate preschools, camp and childcare and afterschool programs as well as assisting with obtaining subsidized childcare and navigating systems and helping to address behavioral need for a child in care .
Caring People Alliance (early learning resource center for Philadelphia) – 215-382-4762– Find early childhood resources and programs in your area.
Child care ages 0-12, pre-k/Headstart for medically fragile children who have skilled nursing needs.
Monday – Friday; 7 am – 5 pm Transportation provided.
1011 Poplar Street Philadelphia PA 19123
Child care for medically fragile children ages 0-21 who have skilled medical/nursing needs whether acute or chronic in nature, open 7am-7pm Monday-Saturday.
1318 West Clearfield St., Philadelphia PA 19132
Early Head Start (0-3 years old) – Home visiting and center based childcare
Currently offering fully virtual services. Clients are provided with a tablet with free internet access included so that they can have virtual visits with their home visitor and/or teachers. Also provide diapers, wipes and formula to families in need.
Resources: Maternity Care Coalition Flyer
Locations in South Philadelphia, Pottstown and Norristown
City-wide resource for mostly FREE after school, summer and weekend enrichment programs for all youth who are Philadelphia residents and are grades K – 12.
Head Start program for working but low income families with children ages 3-5.
View WebsiteFor 3-5 year olds, age 3 by September 1st. Free for low-income families. Coordinators assist with needs of disabled children, citizenship status is not a requirement for education.
Visit the School District of Philadelphia Pre-Kindergarten (Preschool) Programs website for more information: (search: “Headstart” or “early childhood”)
An autism-specific licensed early learning center. They provide clinical interventions using the Early Start Denver Model in conjunction with ABA interventions to provide a naturalistic learning environment. Their services include home, community, and accepting commercial insurance, Medicaid, private pay to cover the cost of services. We also provide inclusive childcare for children w/ autism.
335 Bishop Hollow Rd, Newtown Square, PA 19073
Virtual after-school program for children living in kinship care offering online homework tutoring, group learning sessions, and caregiver support. Please contact Courtney Poprik, Program Coordinator, 215-204-3105 courtney.poprik@temple.edu
Home based Early Head Start for 0 -3 year olds.
Additional information and referral form:
For children ages 8-21 from 3-6 p.m.
Located at two sites: Overbrook School for the Blind (6333 Malvern Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19151), Widener Memorial H.S. (1450 W Olney Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141)
Provides both participatory and spectating experiences related to sports in the Philadelphia area for at-risk and special needs populations.
4700 Wissahickon Ave., Suite 126, Philadelphia, PA 19144
ACCESS to museums and facilities (Please Touch, Franklin Institute, Morris Arboretum, Academy of Natural Sciences, …etc) for families with an ACCESS card. One ACCESS card admits up to four family members at a rate of $2 per person. (sadly the Zoo is not participating in this). Check website for all participating facilities!
FREE Special needs sports organization including indoor/outdoor soccer, bowling and baseball in the Northeast.
Sensory Friendly Sundays – Exhibits modified to provide a comfortable experience for people on the autism spectrum. Discounted rates for guests arriving between 8-930am. Due to COVID-19 restrictions – special events and Sensory Friendly Sundays have been suspended. Advanced tickets/reservations and masks are required for admission. Currently offering virtual resources for families: https://www.fi.edu/franklin-at-home
222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Many FREE adapted programs for kids with special needs throughout the year, including sensory friendly story time, Lego groups, therapy dog time and Minecraft, virtual programming call 215-685-5322 or check the website for location/hours.
Free! Open to families with children with ASD. Opportunity to socialize in a safe and interactive environment.
2040 Springdale Road, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
All seasons – no age limit. FREE. NEW: teen basketball! Weekly sports, including bowling for children with significant special needs. Meet every Friday night at New Foundations Charter School (8001 Torresdale Ave) from 6:00-8:00 pm. Northeast Philadelphia (Rhawn and Torresdale) and surrounding area.
Offers cultural and educational bi-monthly and monthly outings for adolescents, young adults, and adults. Outings to shows, museums, sporting events and more create community and assist with socialization and making friends. Also incorporate social justice activities as well as educational workshops to assist with transition, socialization, and life skills. Trips offered at a subsidized rate.
345 Montgomery Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Philadelphia’s leader in providing convenient, fun, outdoor themed experiences for families, schools, individuals and organizations, especially in urban communities. They offer FREE monthly therapy-style programs for special needs children and their families. These sessions focus on improving language, sensory and social skills. Connecting City Communities to Outdoor Experiences!
This center offers art therapy to promote growth, development and social skills; parent training and sibling club. Sliding fee*.
1226 South Broad Street Philadelphia PA 19146
FREE! Autism information and Community outings for children with Autism and their families to fun events like basketball games, bowling and roller skating. Operating virtual support meetings – PEEA Pals – check out website. Sensory friendly fun for the whole family.
Offer group and private lessons six days a week for participants of all abilities, including a Monday night program for children with autism spectrum disorders.
8297 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia PA 19152
FREE! “Healthy HeArt” program (an hour long session that is half a form of exercise and half an art project), and an adult and a child dance class. All programming is currently virtual.
FREE interactive classical music experiences for people with Autism and special needs throughout the area, see website for dates and places.
FREE, contact to find out schedule and sign up for this group. Located at the Torresdale Library (3079 Holme Ave Philadelphia PA 19136).
“Play Without Boundaries” where the PTM is open early or late with free programming specifically for children with special needs and their families. Please check with PTM for dates.
Memorial Hall, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Provides music, art, and dance/movement therapy through individual sessions, as well as group and individual services at community partnerships in the region. Currently, offering services virtually with limited in-person services at branches.
Four Regional Sites: Queen Village: 416 Queen Street 19147 Germantown: 6128 Germantown Avenue 19144 West Philadelphia: 4910 Wynnefield Ave 19131: Willow Grove: 318 Davisville Road 19090
FREE indoor playhouse located in Fairmount Park for children 5 and under, outdoor playground for children 10 and up with the famous “Giant Slide”. Free story and craft hours.
3500 Reservoir Drive Philadelphia PA 19121
Young Athletes Sports program for children 2-7 with special needs at many neighborhood YMCAs. FREE!
Offers year-round recreational activities for children and adults of all abilities by offering physical, recreational, arts and educational activities to shape healthy and meaningful lifestyles.
10980 Norcom Rd Philadelphia PA 19154
*SPIN Community & Fitness is currently temporarily closed to the public. Visit their Facebook page @SPINComFit for updates.
Variety Club Resources and Programming for children with autism and any disability ages 5-21.
Recreational “at play” events for families all year long. Academic year and summer programming also available.
FREE sports and recreations opportunities including bowling for children with special needs.
Open 9-7 EVERY DAY….classes, playgroups, social skills groups, trainings, camp, parties. Find them on Facebook.
2023 Camp Dates: June 19 – August 18;
Ages 3+ (must be potty-trained). Children can be registered for individual weeks. Each week has a different theme with lots of activities, games and crafts surrounding that theme.
Cost: $300/week 9am-1pm.
Learn more about the camp here.
12357 Academy Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154
The YMCA is now accepting some insurance to cover registration and monthly fee payments!! Programs are offered at all locations are for children of different ages with special needs. Programs and ages vary. This includes sports and recreation, swimming, daycare/childcare, after school programs, and summer camps. Fees do apply.
Multiple locations:
Columbia North: 1400 N. Broad St. 19121, 215-235-6440
Roxborough: 7201 Ridge Ave 19128, 215-482-3900
Christian St: 1724 Christian St. 19146, 215-735-5800
West Philly: 5120 Chestnut St. 19139, 215-476-2700
Northeast Family: 11088 Knights Rd., 19154, 215-632-1484
Provides up to $400/ year for children 6-17 to attend a participating summer camp. Child must be receiving services through Community Behavioral Health or The Office of Mental Health at the time of application.
Additional eligibility requirements can be found here. You may contact camps individually to determine if they can accommodate children with autism. Download the 2023 Participating Camp List.
View WebsiteA therapeutic summer camp for minimally verbal communicators to have fun while growing their communication skills. Camp Tech Talk Toe integrates speech therapy strategies into play to provide a meaningful context for language skills and friendships to grow.
$500 for a limited time. Because Camp Tech Talk Toe is therapeutic many health insurance companies often provide reimbursement for at least some of the cost. But, this is different for each family.
Ages: Children 4+ whose primarily mode of communication involves (AAC, sign, and/or visuals)
Camp Dates: 9am-3:00pm, June 26th -June 30th 2023
Download the flyer here.
A 2-week camp for kids with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities ages 11-25. The cost of the camp is $150.00 for a two week encampment. If a camper is bringing support staff to camp, there is an additional fee of $25.00 to cover the cost of trips for that staff. Lunch is included. Accepts the Madeline Moore grant.
Training and orientation with the camp counselors prior to the start of day camp on how to support autistic individuals.
Registration will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
Camp dates: 1st session is July 8 – July 19, 2024, 2nd session is July 22 – August 2, 2024 – 9am to 2pm.
Located at the Gustine Recreation Center for the summer of 2024.
4868 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19129
Download the flyer to learn more.
Age 5 to age 12, take CCIS funding. 2 sites in South Philly.
View WebsiteOvernight camp for ages 7-15 that services children with Autism, 22q Deficit Disorder, Sickle Cell Disease, Hemophilia, and Persistent Asthma. Provides life skill programming for campers ages 16-24 with various neurodiversity needs.
Cost: $700-750 per session. Financial Aid and payment plans are available.
143 Nichecronk Rd, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328
The NeurAbilities ABA Program is now enrolling children for summer camp at select locations! This four-week half-day program will provide children with a fun-filled camp experience complete with engaging activities and themed projects. Our compassionate and energetic team will support children in acquiring and maintaining skills using applied behavior analysis (ABA). Children will participate in a variety of activities focused on improving fine and gross motor abilities, dramatic play, social skills, and adaptive skills.
For boys and girls ages: 3-5 and 6-9
2022 Camp Dates
ABA Summer Camp 2022 – NeurAbilities Healthcare
2 Locations in NJ & PA
9601 Bustleton Ave Suite A, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Reverse inclusion Summer camp for kids and teens with Autism.
Camp Kinney is designed for children ages 5 to 21
Camp dates: June 26 – August 3rd
Camp is full for Summer 2023
Cost: $700/week or $3500 for all 6 weeks
A limited number of financial assistance scholarships are available to families with strong financial need, subject to administrative approval (ESY accepted).
All of our staff is made up of college students of St. Joe’s University and surrounding colleges. This makes us a training facility. Everyone on staff is here to learn how to work with neurodivergent individuals.
Summer Therapeutic Activities Programs (STAP) – is a group-based intervention for children ages 6-21 years who are diagnosed with Autism. It is based on the Social Thinking Model and uses a series of structured activities to promote age-appropriate social skills, self-regulation, and improvement of self-esteem. Each child referred must currently be receiving some form of behavioral health service and be able to tolerate a group size of 1 staff to 3 children in order to be appropriate for STAP.
NET Centers– 215-238-1426 ext 3980/3986. Located at 7520 State Road, 19136.
Each summer, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation holds more than 130 neighborhood day camps and a dozen theme camps throughout the city. Generally, camps are for children ages 6-12 (ages vary per camp). Summer Camp Finder
Fun, recreational, theme-based activities taught by trained speech-language and occupational therapists. This camp is designed for typically developing children and children with mild to moderate special needs & learning differences for reversed inclusion summer camp experience. Fee ($100/week) includes weekly trips to a variety of locations.
Subsidies and scholarships are available due to a grant received from the Seybert Foundation.
Ages: 5-12 years old
2024 Camp Dates: 07/1/24 – 08/2/24 from 9am to 3pm
Download the 2024 camp flyer here.
Camp programming offered in the city of Philadelphia is FREE to families.
Tuition for camp programming at the regional headquarters located in Worcester, PA is $750 per week without 1:1 assistance, $1,100 per week with 1:1 assistance. For programs in Worcester, PA scholarship forms can be provided upon request once a family has submitted a camp application. Scholarships recipients are selected on demonstrated financial need.
Ages 5-21
Worcester programs will run June 17th-August 9th and day camp at Temple University in Philadelphia will run August 12th-23rd.
Staff are trained to support children with wide-ranging skills and abilities. Staff participate in trainings including Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI), CHOP Lifts and Transfers, Behavior Modification, Sensory Processing/Integration, and more.
2024 Session at Worchester and Temple University locations are full at this time. Families interested in this program are encouraged to complete an application if they would like to be added to the waitlist.
267-621-8910 Contact: Jessica Huff or jessica.huff@varietyphila.org
Cost: $125/w, includes t-shirt. 6050 Market St. and 6500 Haverford Ave. (Granahan Recreation Center and Playground). (Accepts Madeline Moore grant and FDSS funds). Contact Roberta Bellamy 267-231-4120 or 215-472-2764 or westphilapacs@gmail.com
Provides information, trainings, and activities. Many are free grassroots Philadelphia-based supports including respite.
Free community trainings about Autism for families and agencies.
Community and recreation activities: Free family events promoting inclusion and accommodations for individuals with ASD and their families.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityAutismNetwork/