Autism resources in
Shelby County.

Free CDC milestone checklists and a Milestone Tracker app help you follow your child's development from 2 months to 5 years, so you know what to watch for and when to act. A gentle first step when you're unsure whether to seek an evaluation.

If you have concerns about your baby or toddler's development, this free state program evaluates children from birth to age 3 and provides therapy and family support. One phone call to Child Find gets the process started.

This hospital-based early intervention program supports infants and toddlers with delays in movement, thinking, language, social-emotional, or self-help skills, as well as those with medical conditions that put development at risk. It offers individualized, family-centered care for your youngest child.

Run through the state's Department of Mental Health, RAN connects families with a suspected or diagnosed autism diagnosis to information, training, and hands-on help at home, school, and in the community. Five university hubs across Alabama make support available close to home.

This UAB clinic in Birmingham offers gold-standard autism and developmental evaluations for children, using trained psychologists and interdisciplinary teams. You'll need a referral from your child's doctor, and wait times can be several months, so it helps to start early.

Part of Children's of Alabama, this program evaluates young children with concerns about development, behavior, social skills, or learning, including autism. It's a trusted place to turn when you're seeking answers about your child's early development.

Right here in Tuscaloosa, this University of Alabama clinic provides comprehensive autism evaluations and diagnoses for children, then connects families to speech, psychological, and family-support services. They accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and Alabama Medicaid, and you can start by completing their intake form.

Every state has a federally funded Parent Training & Information Center offering free help with IEPs, special-education rights, and early intervention. This hub's directory locates the center that serves your state.

A national nonprofit protecting the rights of students with disabilities. Use their member directory to find a special-education attorney or trained advocate near you when you need help with an IEP or a dispute with a school.

Every state has a federally mandated Protection & Advocacy agency that offers free legal help when a school isn't following your child's IEP or evaluating them as required. This directory connects you to the office serving your area.

ADAP is Alabama's protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal help and guidance on special education rights, IEPs, and school discipline for children with disabilities. If your child's rights at school are being denied, their intake specialists can help you figure out next steps.

APEC is the statewide nonprofit behind Alabama's parent training programs, supporting families of children with disabilities with education advocacy, youth transition help, and connections to community resources. It's a warm first stop for parents new to navigating special education.

Alabama's federally funded parent center gives families free, one-on-one help preparing for IEP, 504, and special education meetings, plus workshops so you can confidently advocate for your child. It serves children with disabilities from birth through age 26 across the whole state.

A Birmingham-based Center for Independent Living serving Jefferson County and surrounding areas. They offer advocacy, self-advocacy training, IEP/504 education resources, and youth transition support to help families and students speak up in school and beyond.

This is your local school district's special education office, the team that develops and oversees IEPs and 504 plans for students across Shelby County. Call them with questions about evaluations, services, or an upcoming IEP meeting for your child.

You matter too. Psychology Today's therapist finder filters for 'caregiver stress' and 'autism family,' and Open Path Collective offers reduced-cost therapy sessions nationwide. You cannot support your child well without also supporting yourself.

Alabama's lead state agency for autism connects Medicaid-eligible children (birth through age 20) to intensive home-based supports like behavioral therapy, in-home services, and care coordination. Their state autism coordinator can help you find services and understand what your family qualifies for.

Auburn's Center for Autism Research, Treatment and Training runs an applied behavior analysis (ABA) clinic for young children with autism, teaching skills like communication, social skills, school readiness, and toilet training. It's a university training clinic serving the Auburn-Opelika area.

This clinic at Children's Hospital evaluates young children when families or doctors have concerns about development, behavior, or a possible autism diagnosis. They currently accept referrals for children age 5 and younger, and can guide families to next steps and treatment.

An Alabaster-based provider currently offering in-home occupational therapy for Shelby County children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and developmental delays. Care comes to your home, which can ease the stress of clinic visits.

A Pelham-based ABA therapy clinic serving Shelby County families, offering individualized applied behavior analysis for children with autism through in-home, clinic, community, and school settings. They also provide parent training and counseling.

A full-service autism center in Hoover offering ABA therapy, autism testing and diagnosis, plus speech, occupational, and feeding therapy under one roof. They focus on younger children and early intervention.

ABLE accounts let people with disabilities (onset before age 26) save money tax-free without losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. This center compares every state's ABLE program so you can pick the best one for your family.

Alabama ABLE lets a person with a disability that began before age 26 save money in a tax-advantaged account without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. You can open an account online in about ten minutes and use it for housing, therapy, education, and other disability expenses.

This state division operates Alabama's Medicaid waivers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is where families start a waiver application for services like respite and community support. One call to their Call Center begins the eligibility process.

Alabama Medicaid runs Home and Community-Based Services waivers, including the Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Living at Home waivers, that can cover in-home support, respite, therapies, and day services for children and adults with disabilities. This official state page explains each waiver and who qualifies.

SSI provides monthly payments to children and adults with disabilities who have limited income and resources, and it can also open the door to Medicaid. You can begin an application online or by phone and complete it with your local Social Security office.

A nonprofit that offers free civil legal help to lower-income families in all 67 Alabama counties, including problems with public benefits like Medicaid and SSI. Their Mobile office serves Baldwin County families.

The nation's oldest grassroots autism organization. Their National Helpline connects families to information and referrals, and their affiliate finder points you to a local chapter in your area for in-person support and events.

The largest national community-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters offer advocacy, family support, and lifelong services. Use the chapter finder to locate the office nearest you.

Dial 2-1-1 (or visit 211.org) to reach a free, confidential referral line for local health and human services in almost every US community — including disability services, respite, food, housing, and financial assistance.

A statewide program offering respite so caregivers of a loved one with a disability can rest, plus caregiver education and wellness support. Call them to learn about respite reimbursement vouchers and find help in your area.

A statewide nonprofit serving families in all 67 Alabama counties, offering free parent-led Connect Groups where you can meet other autism families and share what works. Call their information line and they will help you find a group or program near you.

Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults is the world's largest barrier-free recreation camp, offering week-long summer sessions and year-round programs for people with disabilities. Campers enjoy swimming, horseback riding, zip-lining, and more in a fully accessible setting on Lake Martin.

Autism Support of Alabama hosts Connect Groups where caregivers meet, share resources, and gather for family outings and community activities. They serve all 67 counties, so families in Shelby County can join a nearby group or ask for help starting one.

This local Pelham nonprofit runs two caregiver support groups made just for parents: the Compassion Squad for moms and female caregivers, and the Wolf Pack for dads and male caregivers. It is the closest, most Shelby-specific place to connect with other families walking the same path.

A long-standing Birmingham nonprofit serving children and adults with disabilities through early intervention, adult day programs, recreation, and family support. Their team can help connect your family to the right services and resources.

The state's division for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering Medicaid waiver programs, support coordination, supported employment, and help living independently at home and in the community. A good place to start when a loved one is aging out of school-based services.

Alabama's state agency helps teens and adults with disabilities move from high school into jobs, with transition planning, job training, supported employment, and benefits counseling. Every public high school has an assigned VR counselor, and services continue into adulthood.

A statewide nonprofit pooled special-needs trust, established by the Alabama Legislature, that helps families set aside money for a loved one with a disability without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid. A trusted option for long-term financial planning across the lifespan.

A state council that promotes independence, employment, and self-advocacy for Alabamians with developmental disabilities and connects families to resources for planning adult life. Call their toll-free line for information and referrals.

A well-established Birmingham-area nonprofit (formerly UCP of Greater Birmingham) offering an adult day program and paid employment training for adults 21 and older with developmental disabilities. It's a warm, person-centered option for families in Shelby County and the greater metro.