This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Broward County, Florida. You'll find 18 local resources listed here, alongside Florida statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Florida's starting point is Early Steps; 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.
Part of Florida's public school system, Child Find offers free developmental screenings for children 34 months to age 5 who are not yet in public school, with no insurance required. They help identify children who may benefit from early intervention or special education and connect families to next steps.
Florida's official early intervention program provides free evaluations and services for babies and toddlers birth to 36 months who have developmental delays or conditions like autism. Anyone, including parents, can make a referral, and there is no income requirement.
At Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, developmental-behavioral pediatricians and specialists provide comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations and personalized care plans for Central Florida children. Their team-based approach brings together psychology, neurology, and therapy under one roof.
A University of Florida program that supports families across the state affected by autism at no cost, helping you understand a diagnosis and find providers who perform evaluations. Staff offer guidance, consultation, and connections to services from the earliest stages onward.
This is Broward's lead program for babies and toddlers, birth to age 3, who may not be meeting their developmental milestones. Their team handles the evaluation, and if your child qualifies, they bring early intervention services right to where your family lives and plays.
FDLRS REACH offers free developmental screenings for Broward children up to age 5, with no insurance or doctor referral needed. It's a gentle first step if you have questions about your child's speech, learning, behavior, or development.
The developmental and behavioral pediatrics team at this Hollywood children's hospital provides comprehensive autism evaluations for children. Their specialists take real time getting to know your child and talking with you before reaching a diagnosis.
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.
Florida's official protection and advocacy organization, offering free and confidential help when your child faces barriers to a free and appropriate education, from IEP disputes to special education and transition services. Their advocates can guide you through your rights and step in when a school isn't meeting your child's needs.
A federally funded Parent Training and Information center that has helped Florida families for over 35 years, with free support focused on the educational needs of children with disabilities. Their parent coordinators can walk you through IEPs, your rights, and how to be an effective advocate at school.
The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System is a statewide, state-supported network that helps students with exceptional needs and their families. Their Family Help Desk connects you with parent-friendly guidance and expert answers on IEPs, behavior, and specific disabilities.
This is the district office that runs IEPs, evaluations, and special education services for Broward's public school students, ages 3 through 22. They can walk you through the Child Find referral process, parent workshops, and transition-to-adulthood planning.
FDLRS Reach is the free parent-support arm inside Broward County Public Schools, offering screenings for young children and plain-language help with IEPs, behavior, and specific disabilities. Their Family Help Desk can answer your questions directly.
This Broward nonprofit offers free legal help when a child's disability needs aren't being met by the school, including representation at IEP meetings and due process hearings. They handle testing delays, eligibility, and placement disputes.
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.
This trusted advocacy nonprofit explains how to get ABA (Behavior Analysis) therapy covered through Florida Medicaid and how to appeal if services are denied. They can help you understand your child's rights when a plan is turned down.
APD is the state agency that connects Floridians with autism and other developmental disabilities to long-term supports, Medicaid waiver services, and behavioral help. This is the starting point for applying for state disability services.
Florida's university-based CARD network offers free consultation, training, referrals, and support to families of any age with autism and related disabilities. Find the regional center near you and connect with someone who can help you navigate services.
Broward County's largest provider of care for children with special health needs, offering developmental evaluations, primary and dental care, early intervention, and case management all in one Fort Lauderdale location. Services are family-centered and designed for kids with disabilities and chronic conditions.
This Weston outpatient center, part of Nicklaus Children's Hospital, provides pediatric therapy including speech-language and occupational therapy plus primary care for children through age 21. It grew out of the Marino family's own search for autism care and serves families across Broward.
Part of Nova Southeastern University in Davie, this respected institute provides ABA, speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy along with early intervention and preschool programs for children on the spectrum. They also offer family counseling and support groups.
This university-based center offers completely free support to Broward families touched by autism, including one-on-one help, training, and social and support groups. Their Davie and Miramar offices are ready to walk alongside you at any age or stage.
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.
Florida's official tax-free savings and investment accounts that let your family set aside money for disability-related expenses without risking SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Accounts are free to open, and savings can go toward housing, health, education, assistive technology, and everyday needs.
Florida's main Medicaid waiver for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, covering home- and community-based supports like therapy, respite, personal care, and residential services so your child can live at home or in the community. Apply through APD to get on the path to services (there is often a waitlist, so applying early matters).
SSI is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to children and adults with disabilities who have limited income and resources, and it can also open the door to Medicaid. You can start an application online or by phone, and a child may qualify from as early as birth.
Florida's state Medicaid waiver that funds home- and community-based services for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, so families can get support at home instead of in an institution. Broward County is served by APD's Southeast Region, and you can start by contacting APD to apply.
A local nonprofit law firm offering free civil legal help to income-eligible Broward County residents, including advocacy on public benefits and Social Security/SSI matters. It is a good first call when a family needs help navigating denied benefits or other legal barriers.
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.
A statewide nonprofit that runs free monthly online parent support groups, including an "Across the Spectrum" group and a dedicated group for military families. It's a warm, welcoming place to connect with other Florida parents who truly get it.
Governor-appointed volunteer councils in every region of the state, made up of parents and family members, that mentor families and help you navigate developmental disability services alongside Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities. They exist to make sure your family's voice is heard.
A statewide Parent Training and Information Center run by families, for families, offering free workshops, one-on-one guidance, and a caring community for over 35 years. Trained coordinators can walk you through your child's rights, services, and next steps.
A statewide council that advocates for people with autism and other developmental disabilities and offers free family-focused resources, including its well-known Partners in Policymaking training. A good starting point if you want to learn how to advocate for your child.
Year-round sports, recreation, and a statewide Family Action Network where parents and caregivers connect, share, and cheer each other on. It's a joyful way for your child to build skills and friendships while you find your own community of families.
Based in Pompano Beach, this longtime nonprofit provides respite care, parent advocacy, and family-strengthening support groups for families raising children with special needs. Their social services team helps caregivers find breathing room and connect to community resources.
The county runs year-round recreation and leisure programs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities, from adaptive sports and dance to fitness and social events. Most programs are low-cost or free, giving families a welcoming place to play and connect.
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.
A long-established Florida nonprofit that helps families plan for a child's future, including setting up special needs trusts that protect savings without risking Medicaid or SSI. Their trust services team can guide you through individual and pooled trust options at any budget.
APD is Florida's state agency for people with developmental disabilities like autism, connecting adults to long-term Medicaid waiver services for living, working, and support in the community. This page walks you through applying for the iBudget waiver and other services as your child ages into adulthood.
Florida VR is the state's largest employment program for people with disabilities, helping teens and adults with autism explore careers, get job training, and find and keep meaningful work. Services can start at age 14 with pre-employment transition support and continue through supported employment as an adult.
A statewide, cross-disability organization that has connected Florida families to information, training, and resources since 1998, including its Florida Youth Council for transition-age young adults. Their free annual conference is one of the largest gatherings of disability resources in the state.
Florida's state agency for adults with autism and developmental disabilities runs its Broward-area office right in Fort Lauderdale, where staff help families apply for the Medicaid iBudget Waiver, adult day and residential supports, and long-term services as your child ages out of school. This is the front door to most adult disability services in the county.
Broward's public workforce agency pairs adults who have disabilities with disability success coaches and a Ticket to Work program, helping people on SSI or SSDI return to work without losing their healthcare coverage. Three career centers across the county offer job placement, training, and accommodation support.
Based in Fort Lauderdale, this well-established foundation focuses on the adult years, with programs like Autism After 21 and Hub2Connect that build independent-living, employment, and social skills for young adults 18 and up. A warm local place to turn when your teen is aging out and you're wondering what comes next.
This state program helps young adults and adults with disabilities train for, find, and keep a job, with counselors who work one-on-one on career planning, job placement, and school-to-work transition. Broward has offices in Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Coral Springs.
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.
Spot something out of date? Suggest or report a resource →