This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Craighead County, Arkansas. You'll find 11 local resources listed here, alongside Arkansas statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Arkansas's starting point is First Connections; for school-age children, special education and IEPs run through your local school district. Confirm details directly with each provider.
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.
The state's Developmental Disabilities Services division explains how autism diagnosis and services work in Arkansas and can connect your family to evaluations, funding, and support programs. It's a helpful starting point for understanding your options across the state.
A partnership between UAMS and Arkansas DHS that brings autism screening and developmental evaluations to communities across the state, helping families get answers faster and shortening the wait for a diagnosis. Suspected cases are fast-tracked to the Dennis Developmental Center for a full evaluation.
Arkansas's free early intervention program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or disability. Evaluations are free, and supports like speech, physical, and occupational therapy happen right in your home or community at little or no cost.
This is Arkansas's primary center for diagnosing autism and other developmental conditions in children, with a team of developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists. They offer full evaluations and hold outreach clinics in communities across the state.
A Jonesboro nonprofit with decades of experience offering comprehensive autism spectrum disorder evaluations, including psychological testing, developmental assessments, and detailed written reports to guide your child's support plan. Their team walks families through the diagnostic process right here in Craighead County.
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.
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.
A state council offering advocacy tools, person-centered planning resources, and training to help families support a loved one with a developmental disability. Their materials cover self-advocacy, supported decision-making, and planning across your child's life.
Arkansas's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, providing free information, guidance, and in some cases legal representation to protect your child's special education rights. Their plain-language guides walk you through IEPs, evaluations, and dispute resolution.
A long-standing Arkansas nonprofit offering advocacy, support groups, and clear guidance on evaluations, eligibility, and school strategies for children with learning disabilities. A helpful place to connect with other parents who understand what you're going through.
Free civil legal help for lower-income Arkansas families, including support with special education disputes, IEP eligibility, and due process when a school isn't meeting your child's needs. Their online guides explain the referral and IEP process step by step.
This is Arkansas's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, offering free help so you can understand your child's rights and feel prepared and confident walking into IEP meetings. They serve families of children from birth through age 26 across the whole state.
The state's special education office is the official place to turn when you and your child's school disagree, offering free options like facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, formal complaints, and due process for parents anywhere in Arkansas. It's also a trusted source for understanding your rights under special education law.
The special education office for Jonesboro's public schools, where your child's IEP, evaluations, and services are handled. Reach out to the director or your child's team with questions about referrals, the Child Find process, or your rights in the process.
Arkansas's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, standing beside families of children with disabilities and working hand in hand with schools on IEPs, evaluations, and special education services. Their team will walk you through your rights and your next steps, at no cost to you.
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.
Easterseals Arkansas offers physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy for children from newborn to 18, including those with autism, Down syndrome, and developmental delays. A family service coordinator helps you navigate financial, medical, and educational resources, and teletherapy is available.
UAMS's developmental center in Little Rock evaluates and diagnoses autism and developmental delays in children, with a team of developmental pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, and psychologists. A Family Navigator helps you find services before and after your child's appointment.
The state's Medicaid waiver program that funds intensive, one-on-one, home-based autism therapy (20 to 25 hours a week) for young children roughly ages 18 months to 8 years. Run through the University of Arkansas with Arkansas DHS, it serves families statewide, including northeast Arkansas.
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.
A tax-advantaged savings account that lets your child save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid. You can open one with as little as $1, and eligibility now extends to disabilities that began before age 46.
Arkansas's Medicaid home- and community-based waiver helps people with autism and other developmental disabilities get support to live in their own home and community instead of an institution. The Developmental Disabilities Services intake team can walk you through applying and joining the waiver list.
This state program reimburses family caregivers up to $300 per quarter (up to $1,200 a year) for a short break, whether that's an in-home helper or a respite center. It's open to Arkansas caregivers of children or adults living in their home, on a first-come basis.
This Arkansas DHS program offers respite vouchers and caregiver resources so family caregivers can get a break, at no cost to the family. It's open to caregivers of a loved one of any age with a special need, and doesn't require Medicaid enrollment.
Headquartered right in Jonesboro, Legal Aid of Arkansas offers free civil legal help to lower-income families, including guardianship, special needs planning, public benefits (Medicaid/SSI) appeals, and disability rights. A trusted place to turn when a benefits denial or legal question feels overwhelming.
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.
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.
An Arkansas nonprofit that builds community for autism families through autism-friendly events, workshops, and family resources. They also offer a grants program to help support Arkansans with autism on the path toward independence.
A parent-founded center offering training, guidance, and local community chapters to help Arkansas families understand an autism diagnosis and navigate services. They host support connections, workshops, and community events like their annual Zoo Day.
A long-established nonprofit serving people with developmental disabilities and autism and their families across Arkansas since 1988. Their Children and Family Services program helps families find supports so children can thrive at home and in their community.
A Jonesboro-based nonprofit and community of local volunteers that has given over a million dollars in grants to autism families, schools, and educators since 2012. Their free annual Community Fest brings together vendors, resources, food, and family fun for kids across Northeast Arkansas.
A local Jonesboro nonprofit run by and for autism families, offering resources, events, a lending library of books and movies, and grants to help families and teachers attend conferences. If your child was recently diagnosed, this is a warm first place to connect with other Craighead County parents.
A City of Jonesboro effort that unites local community partners to better serve people with special needs across Northeast Arkansas through education, resources, recreation, and advocacy. A helpful government starting point for connecting to trusted local services.
Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A neurodivergent employment agency offering job support nationwide over Zoom: resume building, mock interviews, and career guidance, plus direct outreach to employers to help secure placements. Supports neurodivergent individuals roughly ages 16 to 50, and has been in business over 15 years.
Arkansas's Division of Developmental Disabilities Services runs the programs that carry your child into adulthood, including the Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver, Adult Developmental Day Treatment, and job supports. This is the state's main doorway to long-term community-based services and the waiver waitlist.
ARS helps Arkansans with disabilities prepare for and keep a job through vocational rehabilitation, on-the-job training, assistive technology, and school-to-work transition services. With 19 field offices covering all 75 counties, they walk alongside young adults as they move into employment.
A Jonesboro nonprofit serving Northeast Arkansas since 1978, Focus runs Adult Development day programs that help adults with disabilities build independent-living skills, self-care, and community connection. It is a warm, local option as your child moves into adult services.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change, so always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
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