Autism resources in
Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

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.

A statewide autism resource center where you can sit down with an autism specialist to understand your options and find local providers by age, location, and insurance. They also offer free trainings, downloadable resources, and family events.

Alaska's free statewide program for babies and toddlers birth to age 3 who may have a developmental delay or diagnosed condition. Evaluations and service coordination are always free, and a family can call the toll-free line to start a referral from anywhere in the state.

An interdisciplinary clinic with developmental-behavioral pediatricians, therapists, and behavior analysts who evaluate and support children with autism and developmental delays. Telehealth is available to reach families in rural Alaskan communities.

State-run clinics that bring autism and developmental screening, evaluation, and diagnosis to Alaska families living outside the Anchorage and Mat-Su areas. They serve children from about 10 months to 9 years, and your child's primary care provider can send a referral.

A hospital-based team that provides developmental evaluations for children under age 6, including for autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Psychologists, speech pathologists, and therapists work together to help you understand your child's strengths and needs.

The public school district offers free developmental screenings for children ages 3 to 21 who live in the borough, checking speech, motor skills, hearing, vision, and social-emotional development. If your child may need special education services, this is where an evaluation can begin at no cost.

This local Wasilla nonprofit runs the birth-to-3 Infant Learning Program for the Mat-Su Valley, offering free home-based developmental evaluations and early intervention when you have concerns about your baby or toddler's development. It is the region's first call for the youngest children, and the school district's Child Find office refers families here directly.

A behavioral and developmental pediatric practice based in Wasilla that provides autism evaluations along with psychological and neuropsychological testing for children in the Mat-Su Valley. This is a place to turn when your child needs a formal diagnostic assessment close to home.

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.

The state education department's special education office, with parent guides, procedural safeguards, and IEP resources explaining your rights under Alaska and federal law. A helpful reference when you want the official rules in writing.

Alaska's independent, federally funded protection & advocacy law firm providing free legal advocacy for people with disabilities anywhere in the state, including special education rights. They can help when a school issue needs legal support.

Alaska's federally designated Parent Training & Information center, staffed mostly by parents of children with special needs, offering free help to understand your child's IEP, request evaluations, and prepare for school meetings statewide. If you're new to special education, this is a good first call.

Based right in Wasilla, LINKS offers free one-on-one help understanding special education law, preparing for IEP meetings, and advocating for your child. Parents can call or stop by for guidance and referrals close to home.

This is the district office that runs IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and Child Find screenings for kids across Mat-Su, and it can walk you through your procedural safeguards and how to request records. If your child attends a Mat-Su school, this is your first call for anything IEP-related.

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.

An Anchorage clinic (with an Eagle River location) providing speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy under one roof, including support for children with autism and sensory differences. Teletherapy is available for families who face distance, weather, or scheduling barriers.

A statewide agency that provides free resource, referral, and specialist support for autism and other low-incidence disabilities, and is the home of the Alaska Autism Resource Center. Their education specialists travel to work with children and families even in remote parts of the state.

A pediatric-only therapy center in Palmer with a large Mat-Su facility offering occupational, physical, and speech therapy, including aquatic and equine-assisted options. They welcome children with a range of diagnoses and offer clinic, home, and teletherapy visits.

A local ABA therapy clinic right on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway offering evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis, functional assessments, parent training, and social skills groups for children. They accept most major insurance plans and help verify your coverage.

A Wasilla-based pediatric clinic providing speech, occupational, and physical therapy, plus feeding and swallowing support, for children across the Mat-Su Valley. They offer sessions in the clinic, at home, and in the community.

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.

A free statewide starting point that helps families figure out and apply for services like the Medicaid waiver, in-home care, respite, and other benefits, with local centers across Alaska. One call connects you to a specialist who does a pre-screening and points you to the right programs.

A tax-advantaged savings account that lets your child or family member with a disability save and invest for future needs without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. It's the state's official program and you can open an account online.

Alaska's IDD Waiver helps Medicaid-eligible kids and adults with autism or a developmental disability get support at home instead of in a facility, covering things like respite, day habilitation, and personal care. The state's Division of Senior & Disabilities Services can walk you through eligibility and the waitlist.

This Anchorage-based nonprofit program offers hourly and daily respite to give caregivers a break, plus supplemental grant assistance for families raising a child or adult with a disability. Support is home-based and family-centered.

Free civil legal aid for lower-income Alaskans, including help with disability benefits, guardianship, special education, and denied services. They have offices right in Palmer and Wasilla to serve Mat-Su 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 long-standing Alaska nonprofit offering respite, community and home supports, and family services designed around what each family actually needs. Their respite care gives your child fun, relaxed time with staff while the rest of the family gets a breather.

Year-round sports, training, and community events for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with local programs across the state. It's a warm, welcoming way for your child to build friendships, confidence, and belonging.

Year-round sports and recreation for children and adults with intellectual disabilities right here in the Mat-Su Valley, from skiing and swimming to bowling and bocce. A welcoming way to build friendships, confidence, and community.

The state office that runs Alaska's Medicaid waivers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the adult waiver that can cover adult day services, respite, and supported living for those 21 and older. This is where you apply and join the DD registry.

Alaska's state vocational rehab agency helps teens and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep good jobs, with services like career assessments, job coaching, training, and benefits counseling. Great first stop when your young adult is thinking about work.

A statewide council that supports transition-to-adulthood planning for youth with developmental disabilities, with tools and information on employment, education, and building a meaningful adult life. A good resource as your teen moves from school toward work and independence.

Alaska's state guardianship office provides public guardianship and conservatorship for adults who can no longer make certain decisions on their own, plus resources for families weighing guardianship options. Helpful when planning for an adult child who needs decision-making support.

Operating in Palmer since 1990, this is the Valley's longest-running adult day program, offering supervised activities, meals, and social time for adults with developmental disabilities or brain injuries. It also gives family caregivers a much-needed break during the day.

The state's job-training and employment agency has a local office right in Wasilla that helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep meaningful work. This is often the first stop when a young adult is aging out of school and thinking about a career.

When a young person turns 18 and needs help making medical, legal, or financial decisions, this state office handles adult guardianship and can point families toward less-restrictive alternatives like supported decision-making. A trustworthy place to start planning before your child comes of age.