This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Litchfield County, Connecticut. You'll find 14 local resources listed here, alongside Connecticut statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Connecticut's starting point is the Connecticut Birth to Three System; 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.
Connecticut's statewide early intervention program for babies and toddlers under age 3 who have developmental delays or a diagnosed condition. Services are provided at no cost to families and can start with one phone call to arrange a free evaluation.
The autism and developmental team at Connecticut Children's provides full diagnostic evaluations for children who may have autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or related concerns. They walk families through what the results mean and next steps for support.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health's autism hub, with the state's clinical diagnosis guidelines and a directory of autism services and family supports across Connecticut. A trustworthy starting point when you're not sure where to turn first.
A university-based clinic offering comprehensive, multidisciplinary autism evaluations for infants, children, and adolescents. Their team combines psychological, speech-language, adaptive, and psychiatric assessments to reach a clear diagnosis and practical recommendations.
This is the state agency behind Connecticut's Birth to Three early intervention system, which gives every child under age 3 a free developmental evaluation to see if they qualify for services. One call to the Child Development Infoline starts the process, no matter where in Litchfield County you live.
This is your local Birth to Three program serving Litchfield County and northwestern Connecticut, providing free developmental evaluations and in-home early intervention for infants and toddlers under age 3. If you have any worry about how your baby is growing, learning, or communicating, they can help you understand what is going on and what comes next.
The Yale Child Study Center in New Haven runs one of the country's leading autism diagnostic and developmental disabilities clinics, offering comprehensive evaluations for children from infancy through the teen years. A doctor's referral is welcome but not required, and they accept HUSKY/Medicaid along with many insurance plans.
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.
CPAC is Connecticut's federally-designated Parent Training and Information Center, staffed by parents who have navigated the system themselves. Their trained consultants offer free, one-on-one help understanding your child's IEP, evaluations, and rights under IDEA.
The state Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education is the official source for how special education works in Connecticut, from IEPs and eligibility to due process and dyslexia guidance. It's a helpful starting point when you want to understand the rules behind your child's services.
Run by the state Department of Education with CPAC, this free call center helps families understand special education laws, procedural safeguards, and their rights. Staff answer questions in English and Spanish and can help resolve issues with your child's school.
DRCT is Connecticut's official Protection and Advocacy organization, defending the civil rights of people with disabilities statewide. Their Education Rights Clinic gives families short-term advice and self-advocacy support on special education and school accommodation issues.
A Connecticut nonprofit law firm, with an office right in Bridgeport, whose education attorneys fight to make sure kids with disabilities get the school supports and services the law entitles them to. Help is free for eligible families.
An independent state watchdog agency that stands up for children's rights and looks into concerns about how kids are treated, including special education placements and school supports. If you're stuck, they can investigate or guide you to the right agency or resource.
The state agency that oversees special education in Connecticut and handles parent complaints, mediation, and due process hearings when you disagree with your school district. Their call center can walk you through your rights and next steps.
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.
A statewide autism nonprofit for over 20 years, ASRC pairs a family resource line and searchable resource directory with clinical care for individuals with autism across the lifespan. Call their resource line for help finding recreation, support, and services.
For Connecticut residents age 3 and older who have an autism diagnosis without an intellectual disability, the state's ASD Waiver funds home- and community-based supports like clinical behavioral services, social skills groups, job coaching, and respite. Call to ask about eligibility and how to apply.
Yale's Child Study Center runs multidisciplinary autism and developmental-disability clinics, including a special clinic for toddlers, with comprehensive evaluations by psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and psychiatrists. A referral is welcome but not required.
A children's therapy clinic inside the Brooker Memorial building in Torrington offering physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy, with two sensory gyms and rooms built for one-on-one sessions. They welcome children from infancy through early elementary and accept HUSKY and many private insurances.
The state's official early-intervention system for children under 3 with developmental delays or a diagnosed condition, including autism. One call connects you to a care coordinator who arranges a free evaluation and helps match your family with a local provider anywhere in Connecticut.
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.
ABLE CT lets people with disabilities save and invest money in a tax-advantaged account without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. Connecticut's Treasurer administers the program, and as of 2026 anyone whose disability began before age 46 can open an account.
This Connecticut Medicaid waiver helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pay for in-home supports, respite, day and employment services, and more so your child can live and grow at home. You can reach your region's DDS helpline to ask about eligibility and applying.
Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services helps families get a break through respite care, including an Individual and Family Grant that gives a subsidy to buy your own respite even if you're not on a waiver. Contact your regional DDS office to learn what's available near you.
Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services offers cash grants and family support to help cover the extra costs of raising a child or supporting an adult with a developmental disability. Call to check eligibility and get connected with a case manager who can walk you through the waiver and grant options.
Free legal advice for lower-income Connecticut families, including help with public benefits, denied or reduced Medicaid, and disability-benefit appeals. Their hotline can point you to the right advocate or a self-help guide.
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.
Founded by Connecticut parents and family members, this nonprofit hosts recreational and social activities so kids, teens, and young adults on the spectrum (ages 3 to 35) can connect and have fun. It is a welcoming way to meet other families who understand your journey.
The state agency offers respite care, in-home support, and family grants so caregivers can take a needed break knowing their loved one is safe. Their respite centers around Connecticut provide short overnight and weekend stays for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For over 40 years, PATH has matched parents of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs with trained veteran parents who have walked a similar path. It is free, one-to-one emotional support plus help finding resources, from the early years through the transition to adulthood.
Special Olympics Connecticut offers free, year-round sports training and friendly competition in dozens of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. With local programs across the state, it is a joyful way for your child to build skills, confidence, and friendships.
A local nonprofit started by parents that runs the EMBRACE parent support group along with adaptive dance, art, sensory-friendly events, and community activities for autism families. Any parent or guardian in the Torrington area is welcome, no residency required.
A local nonprofit founded by families that supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Northwest Connecticut, including movie nights, bowling leagues, craft clubs, and a Special Olympics team. Call them to learn about recreation, social enrichment, and respite for your family.
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.
Connecticut's Department of Developmental Services helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find real jobs with real wages, get job coaching, and take part in day programs that build skills and community connection. This is the state's main hub for supported employment and adult day supports as your child moves into adulthood.
This state guide walks families through applying for guardianship through Probate Court when a young adult with an intellectual disability turns 18, including the plenary, limited, and standby options and the exact forms you'll need. You can begin the process up to 180 days before your child's 18th birthday.
The Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center offers plain-language guidance for families on what changes at 18, from guardianship and conservatorship to SSI, Title 19 medical insurance, and voter registration. It's a parent-friendly starting point for understanding the legal and benefits side of aging out.
PLAN of Connecticut is a nonprofit that sets up and manages special needs trusts so your loved one can have financial security without losing Medicaid or other public benefits. Authorized by the state legislature, it runs Connecticut's only pooled trust and offers person-centered long-term planning and advocacy for families.
This state bureau helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, including career counseling, training, and on-the-job supports. It is a key resource as your young adult moves toward employment.
DDS is the state agency that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and its West Region serves all of Litchfield County, including a Torrington office. They coordinate case management, adult residential and day programs, and the transition of support as your child ages out of school-based 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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