Kaiting’s Resource List for
Leander, Cedar Park & North Austin Families
I've put together this collection of resources for families and individuals in Leander, Cedar Park, and North Austin. It includes local and statewide programs related to autism, disability, communication, AAC, therapy funding and grants, educational support, family resources, recreation, and of course, fun things to do in the community!
I try to keep this list personal and practical, so I primarily include resources I've connected with directly or that have been recommended to me by families and professionals in our community.
Grants, Funding & Financial Assistance for Texas Families
Imagine A Way
Imagine A Way provides financial assistance for therapy for young children with autism.
Eligibility includes:
Child must have a documented Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
Child must be between ages 2 and 7.
Household income requirements apply.
Family must meet geographic and other program requirements.
Family income generally must be below $125,000 per year.
For families with two qualifying children, the income limit is $150,000.
Apply: Imagine A Way
Autism Care Today
Autism Care Today provides grants for qualifying treatments, assessments, and other supports for individuals with autism.
Grant information:
Typical grants range from $100–$5,000.
There is no fixed income cap, although households earning under $100,000 are reviewed first.
Families with multiple children with autism receive priority consideration.
Funding may support qualifying treatments, assessments, and other needed supports.
Apply: Autism Care Today
Heart of Variety — Variety of Texas
Heart of Variety provides assistance to Texas families of children with disabilities.
Funding may help with:
Therapy and care services
AAC and adaptive equipment
Adaptive strollers or wheelchairs
Accessible camps
Home accessibility modifications
Transportation
Other disability-related needs
Learn More: Variety of Texas Grants
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation provides medical grants to help families pay qualifying medical expenses for children.
Grant amount:
Up to $5,000 during a 12-month period
Up to $10,000 lifetime maximum per child
Basic eligibility:
Child must be age 16 or younger.
Family must meet income requirements.
Additional insurance and medical-expense requirements apply.
Maximum adjusted gross income:
Family of 2: $65,000
Family of 3: $100,000
Family of 4: $135,000
Family of 5+: $170,000
Apply: UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
Small Steps in Speech
Small Steps in Speech provides grants specifically for communication-related needs.
Eligibility:
Ages 3–22
U.S. citizen living in the United States
Household income of $125,000 or less
Funding may be available for qualifying speech therapy and communication-related needs.
Application deadlines: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Apply: Small Steps in Speech
Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas
This program provides financial assistance for qualifying medical treatment and therapy for Texas children and young adults.
Basic eligibility:
Texas resident
Child must be age 21 or younger.
Application submitted by a parent or legal guardian
Proof of income required
Documentation from the child's physician or therapist supporting the recommended treatment is required.
Funding may include speech therapy and other qualifying therapeutic services.
Learn More: Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas
Assistive Technology & AAC
Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP)
TTAP provides free short-term loans of assistive technology, including AAC devices, to people with disabilities throughout Texas.
Families may be able to:
Borrow AAC devices
Try different assistive technologies at home
Explore equipment before purchasing it
Receive devices by mail
I've personally used TTAP to trial AAC devices with children with autism, and I love that families can have devices delivered to their homes at no cost. It can be a great place to start if you're wondering whether AAC might support your child's communication.
Learn More: Texas Technology Access Program
Educational Funding & Free School-Based Services
Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES)
Eligible Texas public-school students receiving special education may receive a one-time $1,500 account for approved educational products and services.
Funds may potentially be used for:
Additional speech therapy
Tutoring
Educational materials
Curriculum
Technology and other approved resources
Eligibility:
Currently enrolled in a Texas public school in Pre-K through 12th grade
Receiving special education through an IEP
Has not previously received a PDSES grant
Learn More: Texas PDSES
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)
Texas Education Freedom Accounts provide education funding for eligible Texas students who are not enrolled in a Texas public or charter school while participating in the program.
2026–27 funding:
Homeschool/other eligible students: up to $2,000 per year
Participating private-school students: $10,474 per year
Certain students with disabilities attending participating private schools: up to $30,000 per year
Funding is limited, and additional eligibility requirements apply.
Learn More: Texas Education Freedom Accounts
Child Find & Services for Homeschooled Children
Families can contact their local public school district to request a special-education evaluation for a child with a suspected disability — even if the child is homeschooled or attends a private school.
If the child qualifies, families can ask the district whether speech therapy or other special-education services may be available while the child remains homeschooled or privately educated.
The services available to these students may be more limited than those provided to students enrolled in public school.
Respite Care & Parents’ Night Out
Achieve Learning Center – Parents’ Night Out
Achieve Learning Center in Leander may offer a monthly Parents’ Night Out, providing supervised activities for children while parents and caregivers have a break. Contact Achieve Learning Center directly for current dates, ages served, eligibility, cost, and availability.
Learn more: https://www.achievelearningcenter.com/
Sammy’s House – Respite Care
Sammy’s House offers evening and weekend respite care on select dates for children and teens with disabilities and their siblings. The program gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to take a break while their children participate in supervised activities. Scholarships may be available for qualifying families.
Learn more: https://sammyshouse.org/programs/weekend-programs/
Family Support & Local Resource
VELA Families
VELA helps families navigate disability services, special education, and community resources.
Support includes:
One-on-one case management
IEP and special-education support
Autism education
Help finding community resources
Parent education
Support groups
Caregiver support
VELA doesn't provide speech therapy or direct therapy funding, but it can be especially helpful when families aren't sure what services or programs they may qualify for.
Case Management Registration: VELA Families
Lone Star Special Care
Lone Star Special Care is a Central Texas directory connecting families with disability-related providers and services, including:
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
ABA therapy
Mental health services
Other disability resources
Explore the Directory: Lone Star Special Care
Heartwood Village
Heartwood Village provides meaningful programming, enrichment, work opportunities, and community for adults with special needs.
I've spoken with the founder, who is also the mother of an adult child with special needs. She deeply understands the need for meaningful, high-quality opportunities for adults with disabilities and is very passionate about supporting this community.
Learn More: Heartwood Village
LearnLee
LearnLee provides individualized tutoring and educational support for learners of different ages and abilities.
Their services include support for:
ADHD
Autism
Specific Learning Disabilities
Academic skills
Individualized educational needs
Their approach emphasizes both academic success and overall well-being through personalized instruction rooted in connection and confidence.
Learn More: LearnLee
Recreation, Social & Community Activities
Texas Excel Gymnastics Academy
Texas Excel Gymnastics Academy in Georgetown offers Jump for Joy, a gymnastics class for children with special needs. The program was recommended to me by a member of their community.
Texas Excel Gymnastics Academy
Sam's Adventure Camp
Sam's Adventure Camp provides programs and social opportunities for individuals with disabilities. They also host social events throughout the year for individuals with autism and other disabilities.
We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym
We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive children's gym designed to provide play and sensory experiences for children of different abilities. Their Austin-area location was specifically recommended by a local parent for being accommodating to autistic children.
Safe in Austin
Safe in Austin is a nonprofit rescue ranch in Leander that brings together rescued animals and children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or other life challenges in a supportive and accepting environment.
They offer programs including individualized Healing Hearts visits, animal care experiences, summer camps, and opportunities for teens and young adults to build connection and community. I especially love their focus on creating a space where differences are understood and accepted.