Maybe you’ve been through the intake process with San Diego Regional Center (SDRC). Maybe you gathered reports, shared your child’s story, and waited for a decision. Your child may even have been in Regional Center through the California Early Start Program, when they were under 3. But then the letter came: your child, now over 3, does not currently meet the criteria for services under the Lanterman Act.
That kind of news can land hard—especially when you know your child has real challenges.
Eligibility Criteria
The Lanterman Act sets specific legal criteria for ongoing Regional Center services after age 3. A child must have a qualifying developmental disability—like autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or a closely related condition—that causes significant limitations in daily life and is expected to continue indefinitely.
It’s possible for a child to have real needs, delays, or even a medical diagnosis and still not meet this legal definition. That doesn’t mean your child’s challenges aren’t important—or that you’re out of options.
What You Can Do Next
Even if Regional Center eligibility wasn’t confirmed, you still have choices. Families have the right to:
- Ask questions about the decision and how it was made.
- Request a review, which is a second look at your child’s case within SDRC.
- Submit new or updated evaluations, especially if something has changed or new documentation is available.
- Appeal the decision through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). This is a formal process that families can pursue when they disagree with the outcome.
Sometimes, a child’s needs becomes even clearer over time, if more milestones are missed and the gap between their development and those of typically developing peers widen. Or — new assessments may reveal more about their needs. If that happens, you can always revisit the determination.
Tips for Families Navigating This Process
- Keep documentation organized. Evaluations, reports, IEPs, and medical records may all be relevant. If you’re unsure how to sort or interpret them, EFRC can help you make sense of the paperwork.
- Trust your observations. You know your child best. Write down specific examples of challenges you see in daily life—things like communication struggles, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty learning new skills. EFRC can help you understand what you might choose to log…and how to fit documenting your observations into the rhythm of your life.
- Reach out for clarity. It’s okay not to understand every step of the process. SDRC staff can explain the decision—and EFRC can help translate any confusing language into plain terms.
- Remember: If eligibility isn’t confirmed now, it doesn’t mean it never will be. SDRC staff make decisions with the information they have available. Sometimes what’s needed is to present a clearer, more organized picture of your child’s needs. Sometimes needs become clearer in time. And sometimes — the support a child needs does indeed fall outside the scope of Regional Center services. But rest assured, at EFRC we help families navigate resources for *all* disabilities, not just those that qualify for Regional Center services.
Reflection Questions
- What changes have I seen in my child recently, which are related to one of the five categories of disability that governs Regional Center eligibility?
- Are there areas where additional support could truly help our daily routines — given the challenges we face?
- Have there been any new reports, evaluations, or therapies in the time since the initial application that can lend additional insight into my child’s support needs?
You’re Not Alone
If you’d like to talk through your options, EFRC is here. Many of us are parents too. We’ve walked this road. And we’re ready to walk with you.
