We are committed to helping individuals live the most
independent lives possible.
We help people of all ages who have developmental and intellectual disabilities including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other conditions that are similar to intellectual disabilities or need the same kinds of services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines developmental disabilities as conditions that can affect a person’s physical, learning, language, or behavioral development.
These conditions begin before the age of 18, are likely to continue throughout a person’s lifetime, and significantly affect three or more of the seven areas:
There are two forms of communication – receptive language and expressive language. Receptive language involves listening and expressive language involves talking. These two words are probably the shortest and most used definitions to explain expressive and receptive language.
Learning disabilities (LDs) affect how your brain processes information. LDs can involve verbal (words or speech) and/or nonverbal information. They typically affect how you read, write, do math, or both. LDs can range from mild to severe, including how a person takes in information, organizes, absorbs, understands, and uses information.
Self-direction means taking charge of your actions, decisions, and goals without relying too much on others. It’s about being independent, making choices, and working towards what you want.
Living independently means living life based on one’s own goals. It means that a person chooses where to live, where to work, what activities to engage in, and how to spend his or her money.
Economic self-sufficiency means supporting yourself without relying too much on outside help. It means having enough income or resources to cover your basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare without much assistance.
Self-care is taking care of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life to promote health and wellness.
Mobility refers to the ability to move or travel from one place to another and is essential for accessing services, participating in activities, and connecting with others in the community.
Eligibility for Services
For residents living in San Diego or Imperial County, we are the starting point. We provide diagnosis and eligibility assessments, and help plan, access, coordinate, and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability. There is no charge for the diagnosis or assessments.
Once eligibility is determined, a case manager or service coordinator is assigned to help develop a plan for services, tell you where services are available, and help you get the services. Most services and supports are free regardless of age or income.
infants & toddlers
Infants and toddlers (ages 0-36 months) qualify for services under the California Early Start Program if they meet the eligibility requirements. Through early intervention, SDRC can identify a child’s delays or risk factors and determine the type of services that can help eliminate or minimize problems resulting from the delays.
Provisional Eligibility
If a child (age 3 or 4) is not eligible for regional center services because they don’t meet the definition of a developmental disability, they may be considered for provisional eligibility. To qualify, a child must demonstrate significant difficulties in doing everyday tasks in at least two key areas of life – appropriate to the child’s age – and have a disability that is not solely physical.
children & adults
Children and adults (ages 3 and over) qualify for San Diego Regional Center Services, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible, a person must have a disability that begins before the individual’s 18th birthday, is expected to continue indefinitely, and present a substantial disability.
If you have been diagnosed with, or if you believe that you may have an intellectual or developmental disability, you may contact us to apply for regional center services. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other conditions that are closely related to intellectual disability or require the same kinds of services.
Services by Age Group
We are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their goals and live to their fullest potential no
matter what age. Our programs are based on the needs and individual choice.
Programs and support for people three years and older are regional center services.
Early Start for Infants & Toddlers – Birth to 36 months
The first three years of your child’s life are critical. If you have a child who needs specialized care or has a disability, or if you have a concern about your child’s development, there is help and support through our Early Start Program – a California federally funded program. Early intervention services help prevent or lessen the need for special services later in the child’s life.
+ School Age Children – Age 3-22
While your child is in school, the primary responsibility for most services lies with the school. Your child will have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that outlines their academic goals and progress. SDRC will work with your family to provide the additional resources and support needed for your child to succeed.
+ Transition Age Youth – Age 14-22
Now that your son or daughter is an adolescent, an important life transition is just ahead. This is the transition from adolescence to adulthood – from school into the world. Successful transitions require gathering information, understanding choices, making decisions, and trying out options – all steps that take time.
+ Adults – Age 18+
San Diego Regional Center uses person-centered planning to help people with developmental disabilities make choices about where they live, what support they need, and what they want for the future. The person, their family, regional center staff, and others they choose work together to make sure services match their goals and preferences.
Services Offered
SDRC offers a wide range of services to support you or your loved one throughout your lifespan. Our core services include the following:
Evaluations are provided during the intake and assessment period to establish eligibility for Regional Center services.
After an individual (age 3 to adult) is found to be eligible for Regional Center services, a written plan is developed. This plan is called the Individual Program Plan (IPP) which includes goals and objectives designed to meet individual and family needs.
After your child (age 0 to 36 months) is found to be eligible for Regional Center services, a written plan is developed. This plan is called the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) which includes goals and objectives designed to meet child and family needs.
The primary goal of the San Diego Regional Center is to provide support services that allow the client to live as independently as possible. To achieve this goal, service coordinators assist in securing needed services and support through community agencies, referrals, purchases, or all the above.
During the development of the IPP/IFSP, the planning team reviews all available community supports and may purchase services that are necessary and not available through other organizations. These include adult day programs, behavioral training, independent living services, infant programs & services, licensed residential placement (parental reimbursement fees may be required for minors), respite services, supported employment, supported living services, and transportation to work and day programs.
The SDRC Community Services team provides public information and community education, and develops resources needed to support the individual.
apply for services
To find out if your child (age 0-36 months) is eligible for CA Early Start services, you may:
Call us at 858-496-4318 to speak to our Early Start Intake Team or email us at esint@sdrc.org.
You may also call our partners, Exception Family Resource (EFRC), at 619-594-7416 to speak to
an EFRC Family Support Liaison.
For children and adults (age 3 and older), you may:
Call us at 858-576-2938 to speak to an SDRC on-call coordinator or email us at intake@sdrc.org.
Success stories
Persons with developmental disabilities will live productive
and satisfying lives as valued members of their communities
