Autism resources in
Miami-Dade County.

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.

The University of Miami's Mailman Center offers developmental and behavioral pediatrics, interdisciplinary evaluations, and psychological assessments for children with autism and developmental concerns, from infancy through age 18. A Family Navigator can help you find the right starting point.

The local Miami-Dade early intervention program for infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months, with developmental delays or at-risk conditions. Services are provided at no cost to families, right where your child lives, learns, and plays.

A specialty clinic in the University of Miami's Department of Psychology in Coral Gables that provides autism diagnostic evaluations for children and adults. Licensed psychologists assess for autism and related social, communication, or developmental differences.

A free, state-funded program of the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University serving families across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. While CARD does not perform the diagnosis itself, its staff will help you find a qualified evaluator and walk beside you every step after.

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.

The state education program serving Miami-Dade and Monroe families, with free child screenings, a family help desk, and guidance on evaluations and IEPs. A trusted first call if you suspect your child needs special education services.

Free legal help for eligible Miami-Dade families to enforce their child's right to an appropriate education and needed services. If your school isn't following the IEP or 504 plan, their attorneys can step in and advocate for you.

A Miami-based nonprofit that walks alongside families raising children with disabilities, offering free IEP support, one-on-one coaching, workshops, and peer connection. This is your local, boots-on-the-ground starting point in Miami-Dade.

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.

Florida's state agency that determines eligibility and coordinates long-term services, waivers, and behavioral supports for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. The Southern Region office serves Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

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.

This nonprofit provides free civil legal help to low-income Miami-Dade families, including appealing denials or reductions of Social Security, SSI, and Medicaid benefits. If a benefit your child needs was cut off or turned down, their public benefits team may be able to help you fight it.

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.

A long-established nonprofit at the Miami Civic Center offering a free after-school program for students with special needs from kindergarten through age 22, plus swimming and summer enrichment. The structured hours give parents dependable, caring support during the day.

The county's parks department, a Certified Autism Center, runs recreation programs built for children and adults with autism and disabilities. Offerings include S.T.A.R.S. autism sports, adapted swimming, arts, and inclusive camps led by certified specialists.

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.

Free legal help for lower-income Miami-Dade families who want to become the legal guardian of an incapacitated adult loved one, including young adults turning 18. Their team guides hundreds of qualifying families through the guardianship process each year at no cost.

This federal-state program helps young adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, offering career counseling, job coaching, supported employment, and training after high school. There are more than a dozen local Miami-Dade offices, so there is likely one near you.

The designated public guardian for Miami-Dade, serving adults 18 and older who have been found legally incapacitated and have limited financial means. If your family needs help navigating guardianship for an adult child who cannot fully make their own decisions, this long-standing nonprofit can help.

A warm Miami adult day training center serving over 200 local residents ages 21 and up with developmental disabilities, with life skills, therapy, the arts, and a WOW Workforce program that connects adults to internships and paid jobs with coaching. A great option for the years after school ends.