Founded in 1975, The Help Group is the largest, most innovative and comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the United States serving children, adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, abuse and emotional challenges.

The Help Group’s 14 specialized day schools offer pre-K through high school programs for more than 1,150 students. Its broad range of mental health and therapy services and vocational and residential programs extend its reach to more than 6,000 children and their families each year including innovative affirming programming for LGBTQ+ youth. With more than 700 staff members, The Help Group’s state-of-the-art schools and programs are located on six campuses in the Los Angeles area.

The Help Group is widely regarded for its high standards of excellence and unique scope and breadth of services. Through its public awareness and outreach programs, university partnerships, applied research, graduate and postgraduate professional training, conferences and seminars, parent education programs, publications, and public policy efforts, The Help Group touches the lives of children with special needs and their families throughout the United States and in other parts of the world.

At the heart of its efforts is the commitment to helping young people fulfill their potential to lead positive, productive and rewarding lives.

Mission Statement

The Help Group believes that dignity, hope, opportunity, and love are the birthrights of all. We strive to transform lives by recognizing, cultivating, and celebrating the individual gifts of young people with special needs related to autism, learning differences, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges. Our dedication to this mission shines through our family of innovative educational, therapeutic, residential, and vocational programs, as well as our advancement of cutting-edge research, professional training, outreach, and public policy advocacy.