Cochise County, Arizona

Autism resources in
Cochise County.

Local providers and support groups, plus Arizona statewide and nationwide programs — all in one place.

🌱 Diagnosis & Early Intervention

Getting an evaluation and accessing early services.

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.
MilestonesFree appAges 0–5
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.cdc.gov
An Arizona nonprofit providing autism and developmental diagnostic evaluations for children and adults of any age, conducted by clinical psychologists. You can schedule a free call with a Family Support Specialist to get started.
DiagnosisEvaluationsAll AgesNonprofit
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: azaunited.org
Arizona's free statewide program for infants and toddlers birth to age 3 who may have a developmental delay or disability. If you have any concerns about your baby's development, you can call to request an evaluation and connect with early intervention services.
Early InterventionBirth to 3FreeStatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: des.az.gov
Hospital-based developmental and diagnostic evaluations for children who may be on the autism spectrum, with personalized recommendations after a comprehensive assessment. A trusted place to start if you're seeking a formal diagnosis for a young child.
DiagnosisEvaluationsDevelopmental PediatricsHospital
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: phoenixchildrens.org
A well-established Arizona nonprofit offering free developmental screenings and coordinating early autism diagnostic evaluations, often getting results to families within about two weeks. Their Family Resource Team can talk you through your options and next steps.
DiagnosisEarly ScreeningNonprofitFamily Support
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: autismcenter.org
Chiricahua is the largest pediatric provider in Cochise County, offering well-child visits and developmental screenings at clinics in Douglas, Sierra Vista, and beyond regardless of your ability to pay. Their pediatricians are often the first to help spot developmental concerns and guide your next steps.
pediatricsdevelopmental screeningsliding-scale
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: cchci.org
This long-established nonprofit runs early intervention, behavioral health, and psychiatric evaluation services right in Sierra Vista, serving families across Cochise County. It is a welcoming local first stop for children who may need an autism or developmental assessment.
Sierra Vistaearly interventionlocal nonprofit
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: blakearizona.com

⚖️ School & IEP Rights

IEPs, 504 plans, special education, and school advocacy.

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.
IEPFreeFind your center
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.parentcenterhub.org
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.
Special ed lawFind an advocateIEP rights
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.copaa.org
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.
Free legal helpDisability rightsBy state
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.ndrn.org
Arizona's federally designated protection and advocacy law firm, providing free legal help and advocacy when a school denies your child the special education or accommodations they're entitled to. Their Education Team can guide you through your rights step by step.
disability rightsspecial education lawIEP advocacyfree legal help
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: disabilityrightsaz.org
Arizona's official Parent Training and Information Center, offering free IEP and 504 support, workshops, and one-on-one help so you don't have to navigate special education alone. A trained parent can even sit beside you at your child's IEP meeting.
IEP supportspecial educationparent trainingfree
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: encirclefamilies.org
This local nonprofit serves autism families across southern Arizona and offers plain-language help with the special education system, including free Lunch & Learn sessions on Child Find, IEPs, and 504 plans. Their website walks you through IEP basics, parental rights, and how to keep your paperwork organized.
IEP helpspecial educationautism nonprofitparent training
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: as-az.org
A statewide nonprofit that connects families with qualified education advocates to help review, understand, and develop IEPs and 504 plans. They also help you find evaluators and make sense of your child's assessments.
parent advocacyIEP504 planstatewide

🧩 Therapy & Treatment

ABA, speech, OT, and finding the right providers.

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.
CaregiversMental healthAffordable
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.psychologytoday.com
A Phoenix nonprofit providing ABA, speech, and occupational therapy along with diagnostic evaluations, habilitation, respite, and parent training. They serve children and families across the Valley and beyond.
ABAspeech therapyoccupational therapydiagnostics
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: azaunited.org
Arizona's state agency connects eligible children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities to therapies, respite, case management, and long-term support. Call to start an eligibility intake and get help navigating services.
state agencycase managementtherapy fundingstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: des.az.gov
A curated listing of ABA, speech, occupational therapy, and other autism service providers across Arizona, kept by a trusted local nonprofit. A helpful starting point when you're searching for the right therapy team for your child.
provider directoryABAspeech/OTstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: phxautism.org
Arizona Complete Health is the AHCCCS Medicaid plan serving southern Arizona, and this directory lists the autism and ABA therapy providers available to members. Member services can help you find a provider and understand how to start services.
provider directoryABAautismMedicaid
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.azcompletehealth.com
Bright Achievements provides in-home and community ABA therapy across Cochise County, including Sierra Vista, Douglas, Bisbee, Benson, Willcox, and smaller towns. They accept most major insurance plans, including Arizona Medicaid.
ABAin-homecountywideMedicaid
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: brightachievements.com
The main hospital in Sierra Vista offers outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy for Cochise County families close to home. Their licensed therapists can help with communication, motor, and daily-living skills.
localspeech therapyOT/PTSierra Vista

💰 Financial Assistance & Benefits

Medicaid waivers, SSI, ABLE accounts, and legal aid.

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.
SavingsTax benefitAll states
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.ablenrc.org
This is Arizona's Medicaid long-term care program, and it covers children and adults with developmental disabilities like autism who need a nursing-facility level of care. Approved families can receive in-home supports, therapies, and respite at little or no cost while their child stays at home.
Medicaidlong-term carewaiverstate agency
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.azahcccs.gov
AZ ABLE is Arizona's tax-advantaged savings account that lets people with disabilities set money aside for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid. It's a simple way for families to build a financial cushion for their child's future.
ABLE accountsavingsSSI-friendlystate program
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: az.db101.org
Disability Rights Arizona (formerly the Arizona Center for Disability Law) is the state's federally mandated protection and advocacy program, offering free legal help to people with disabilities. They can assist with benefits denials, special education disputes, and abuse or neglect concerns.
legal aidadvocacyfreerights
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: disabilityrightsaz.org
ALTCS is Arizona's Medicaid program that pays for long-term care and home- and community-based services, including respite and attendant care, for children and adults with a developmental disability. It's the main door families in Yavapai County walk through to get DDD services funded.
MedicaidHCBS waiverlong-term carerespite
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.azahcccs.gov
This nonprofit law firm provides free civil legal help to lower-income families across Pima County, including disputes over disability benefits, AHCCCS/Medicaid denials, and guardianship matters. Call to find out if you qualify based on your household income.
free legal aidPima Countybenefitsguardianship
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.sazlegalaid.org
SSI provides monthly cash payments to children and adults with disabilities who have limited income and resources, and it often opens the door to Medicaid too. If money is tight and your child has significant needs, it is worth calling Social Security to start an application.
SSIcash benefitsfederalincome support
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.ssa.gov

🤗 Support Groups & Community

Find your people — in person and online.

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.
AutismHelplineLocal chapters
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: autismsociety.org
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.
IDDAdvocacyLocal chapters
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: thearc.org
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.
FreeReferrals24/7
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.211.org
AZA United provides respite care that gives parents and caregivers a much-needed break, with short-term supervision for your child at home or in the community. Their family support team will even help you at no cost with the ALTCS paperwork to access funding.
respitestatewidefamily supportcommunity
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: azaunited.org
This 50-year-old local chapter runs free caregiver support groups all over the Valley, including in-person and online meetings, a dads' group, and a Spanish-language group. It's a warm place to connect with other parents who truly get what you're going through.
support groupsPhoenixcaregiverscommunity
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: phxautism.org
Serving the Tucson area, this chapter offers parent peer support groups, a fathers' group, and social clubs for children, teens, and autistic adults. They also help families navigate what comes after a diagnosis, all at no cost.
support groupsTucsonrecreationcommunity
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: as-az.org
A family-centered provider with offices in Benson, Sierra Vista, and Douglas offering respite care, in-home and on-site support, after-school and summer programs, and parenting help for children with developmental and behavioral needs. Their approach is built around supporting the whole family, not just the child.
respitefamily supportin Cochise County
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: ccsneeds.com

🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning

Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.

A state council that publishes a free, plain-language Legal Options Manual covering guardianship, supported decision-making, and alternatives, so families can choose the least-restrictive path for an adult with a disability. It also supports self-advocacy groups across Arizona.
guardianshiplegal optionsself-advocacystate agency
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: addpc.az.gov
The state's Rehabilitation Services Administration helps teens and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job through evaluation, training, job placement, and on-the-job support. You can be referred as early as age 14 to start planning for work after high school.
vocational rehabemploymenttransitionstate agency
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: des.az.gov
The Arizona courts' free self-help resource that walks families step by step through adult guardianship, including the forms and process for the county probate court. A practical starting point if you're deciding whether guardianship is right as your child turns 18.
guardianshipself-helplegal
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: azcourthelp.org
A Tucson-based nonprofit that has helped Arizona families since 1994 set up and manage special needs trusts, including pooled trusts, so you can leave money for your loved one without risking their SSI or Medicaid. They can also serve as professional trustee and coordinate ongoing support.
special needs trustlong-term planningnonprofit
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: planofaz.org
RISE runs adult day programs and employment support in Sierra Vista, helping adults with developmental disabilities build job skills, find work that fits them, and stay connected to their community. It is a good starting point when your child is aging out of school-based services.
Adult day programsEmployment supportCochise County
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: riseservicesincaz.org
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change — always confirm details directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice. Spot something out of date? Suggest or report a resource →

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