This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Cherokee County, Georgia. You'll find 14 local resources listed here, alongside Georgia statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Georgia's starting point is Babies Can't Wait; 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.
Babies Can't Wait is Georgia's free statewide early intervention program for infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have a developmental delay or a diagnosed condition like autism or Down syndrome. Evaluations and service coordination are provided at no cost to families, regardless of income.
Part of Emory University School of Medicine, the Emory Autism Center provides in-depth diagnostic assessments for children from toddler age and up, delivered by clinicians who specialize in autism and related conditions. Evaluations are tailored to your family's specific concerns and questions.
This Georgia Department of Public Health program helps families recognize the early signs of autism and get connected to screening, diagnostic referrals, therapies, and community resources for children birth through age 21. It's a helpful starting point when you're not sure where to turn first.
Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest autism centers in the country, offering comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for young children using the highest standard of care. Their multidisciplinary team helps identify a child's strengths and needs to guide treatment and next steps.
Parent to Parent of Georgia is a statewide nonprofit that helps families of children with disabilities navigate early intervention, connect with the Babies Can't Wait program, and find local resources. Their trained parent staff and support network can walk you through what comes after a diagnosis.
A Cherokee County-based center specializing in early assessment and diagnosis for infants and toddlers, plus ABA therapy after diagnosis. Conveniently located in Woodstock just off I-575, it serves families in Canton, Holly Springs, Woodstock, and nearby communities.
This is your free, local starting point for early intervention: the county health department runs Georgia's Babies Can't Wait program, which provides no-cost developmental evaluations and therapy for children birth to age 3. Ask them about Children 1st too, which connects your family to screening and services.
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.
The Georgia Advocacy Office is the state's federally mandated disability rights and protection & advocacy agency, providing legal and advocacy support to people with disabilities, including children in school. If your child's rights are being denied, they can help you understand your options and stand up for your family.
The state's official special education office explains your rights under IDEA and the free ways to resolve disagreements with your school, including mediation, formal complaints, and due process hearings. This is where you'll find the actual forms and procedures to protect your child's right to a free appropriate public education.
Parent Mentors are parents of children with disabilities, hired by school districts and the state, who help other families navigate special education and build strong partnerships with their child's school. You can find a mentor in your district to walk alongside you as you learn the IEP process.
Parent to Parent is Georgia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, offering free help so you can understand your child's rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and work as an equal partner with your school. A coordinator will listen to your situation and walk you through your next steps at no cost.
This is your local school district's special education office, serving eligible students ages 3–21 with IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and transition planning at no cost. If you have a concern about your child's IEP or 504 plan, they welcome working directly with parents.
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.
The state agency that helps people with autism and other developmental disabilities access community-based supports like respite, community living, and behavior services through Medicaid waivers. A good first stop to apply for ongoing state services.
Georgia's free public early-intervention program for babies and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities. The Cherokee County Health Departments in Canton and Woodstock provide evaluations, service coordination, and therapy on a sliding-fee scale.
A Woodstock clinic on Towne Lake Parkway providing ABA therapy, speech therapy, and autism evaluation and diagnosis for children on the spectrum. A close-to-home choice for families in southern Cherokee County.
A full-service autism therapy center right in Woodstock offering ABA, speech, occupational, and feeding therapy, plus diagnostic evaluations all under one roof. A convenient local option for Cherokee County families needing comprehensive treatment.
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.
This nonprofit law firm offers free civil legal help to lower-income Georgians outside metro Atlanta, including issues around benefits, special education, and guardianship. Trained staff can help you understand your rights and next steps at no cost.
These state Medicaid waivers help pay for home and community supports like respite, behavior services, and community living for people with autism or other developmental disabilities. You can apply online, by mail, or in person, though there is often a waiting list, so it helps to apply early.
A STABLE account lets your loved one save and invest money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid. The program is run by the State of Georgia, and you can learn about eligibility and open an account through this state page.
This program lets Georgia disregard your family income so a child with significant needs can qualify for Medicaid based on their level of care, not your paycheck. It is a lifeline for middle-income families whose child would not otherwise be eligible.
These state Medicaid waivers fund home- and community-based support like respite, community living, and behavior services for Georgians with autism or other developmental disabilities. Cherokee County families apply through DBHDD, which handles intake for the whole state.
Georgia STABLE lets your family save and invest money for disability-related costs without putting SSI or Medicaid eligibility at risk. Earnings grow tax-free when spent on things like housing, therapy, education, and transportation.
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.
ESP creates joyful year-round recreation, day and overnight camps, adaptive sports, and family events for children and adults with disabilities and their families, with locations in Athens, Metro Atlanta, Rome, and Savannah. Families come for the programs and stay for the community.
Founded by Georgia parents in 1983, FOCUS wraps around families of children with significant disabilities through parent support groups, adapted day and overnight camps, Saturday respite childcare, family activities, and a medical-equipment loan program. It serves thousands of families across metro Atlanta and Georgia.
GCDD is the state agency that advocates for Georgians with developmental disabilities and connects families to services, community programs, and information about supports. It's a trusted starting point for understanding what your family is entitled to across Georgia.
Based in Duluth and serving families across metro Atlanta, Spectrum offers monthly parent and caregiver support groups, respite programs, family camps, and social skills groups for children through adults. Everything is designed to support the whole family, not just the individual on the spectrum.
Cherokee County's own parks department runs adaptive and therapeutic recreation for children and adults with disabilities, including inclusive camps, dance and movement classes, swim nights, and social events. It is a friendly, affordable way to help your child play, move, and make friends.
A Canton-based nonprofit that helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build friendships, join community outings, find jobs, and take part in day programs close to home. It is a warm, established option for Cherokee County families thinking about life after high school.
Based in Holly Springs, RestorABLE offers recreation therapy, community access, fitness and aquatic support, and respite care for teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a local option when you need meaningful daytime activities or a trusted break.
A Gwinnett-based nonprofit that has supported over 2,000 local autism families for more than 25 years, with monthly parent support groups (including a Spanish breakout), respite programs, and day and overnight camps. If you're looking for other parents who get it, this is a warm place to start.
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 nonprofit-run pooled special needs trust open to any Georgia resident with a disability. It lets families set aside money for extras and quality of life without jeopardizing your loved one's Medicaid or SSI eligibility.
GVRA helps people with disabilities, including autism, prepare for and find real jobs through career counseling, job coaching, training, and supported employment. It's a key resource as your young adult moves toward work and independence.
A Georgia parent-run nonprofit with a step-by-step roadmap for the teen-to-adult years, covering transition planning, employment, and financial and legal planning. Warm, practical fact sheets written by families who've walked this path.
This is your local state vocational rehab office right in Canton, serving Cherokee County, that helps young adults and adults with disabilities find and keep a job and move toward independence. A counselor here can guide you through the transition from school to work.
Highland Rivers is the regional public provider serving Cherokee County, offering adult day programs, supported employment, community living support, and residential options for people with developmental disabilities. They can also help connect your family to services and waivers.
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 →