This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Windham County, Connecticut. You'll find 13 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.
Day Kimball's outpatient program in Putnam serves Windham County families with diagnostic and treatment services for children up to 18, including autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. It is a comfort to have this kind of care close to home.
EASTCONN runs Connecticut's free Birth to Three early intervention program right here in northeastern Connecticut, offering in-home developmental evaluations and therapy for children under three with delays or autism. If you have any worry about how your little one is growing, their team can visit your family and help.
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.
EASTCONN is the public regional education service center for northeastern Connecticut, running special education programs and support for children with IEPs across Windham County. Their staff can help your family understand services and connect to school-based supports close to home.
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.
This ABA therapy center in Putnam serves families across Windham County with home-based and center-based therapy, early intervention, and diagnostic services for children with autism. They accept most major insurance plans including Medicaid.
A local nonprofit community health center in Norwich with offices in New London, offering autism diagnostic assessments, behavioral and cognitive therapy, social skills groups, medication management, and parent groups all in one place. They accept Medicaid, private insurance, and offer a sliding fee scale.
Based in Dayville in the heart of Windham County, this longtime nonprofit is the region's main behavioral health center and offers evaluation and treatment for children through their Child Guidance Clinic and autism-related services. It is a welcoming local starting point when your family needs care close to home.
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.
A tax-advantaged savings account that lets a person with a disability set money aside without losing SSI or Medicaid, with balances up to $100,000 not counting against SSI limits. The state treasurer runs it, and you can open an account online.
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.
The state Department of Developmental Services office that serves Windham County, offering case management, respite care, family grants, and in-home family support. Its Willimantic office is the local doorway to state disability supports for your family.
A parent-to-parent support network for families raising children with disabilities and special healthcare needs, with a Northeast Region group serving Windham County families. They offer support groups, training, and warm connections with other parents who understand.
A Windham County nonprofit based in South Windham that runs weekend recreation, overnight respite, and summer programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's a welcoming local option for families who want their child to have fun and be supported close to home.
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.
The state's vocational rehabilitation program helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, working with you one-on-one to build an individual employment plan. A good first call when your young adult is ready to start working.
An Eastern Connecticut nonprofit, with a program site in Putnam, that helps adults with intellectual and physical disabilities find meaningful day activities and paid work through job coaching, group employment, and skill-building programs. A warm option for the aging-out and employment years.
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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