Autism resources in
Fulton 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.

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.

This is Georgia's free early intervention program for infants and toddlers birth to age three, and the Fulton County office handles local evaluations, developmental assessments, and service coordination at no cost to families. Call to start a referral if you have concerns about your child's development.

A local diagnostic center in Alpharetta that evaluates children as young as 12 months through adulthood for autism and developmental delays. They also help families with school coordination, IEPs, and connecting to community resources after a diagnosis.

Georgia's public health program offers free autism screening and diagnostic evaluations for young children under age 3, using the gold-standard ADOS-2 tool, along with follow-up behavioral support. Ask your pediatrician about a referral through the state's Children1st program.

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 the special education department for Fulton County's public schools, responsible for IEPs, evaluations, and inclusive instruction for students with disabilities. Reach out here with questions about your child's services or how to start the evaluation process in your district.

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 Medicaid covers autism assessment and treatment, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), for eligible children under age 21 based on medical necessity. This is the state's official page explaining coverage and how to access services if your child has Medicaid.

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.

Atlanta Legal Aid offers free civil legal help to lower-income Fulton County families, including disability rights, public benefits denials, and special education matters. You can request help online or by calling their downtown headquarters.

Fulton County's own Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities department runs local day programs and training centers for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Staff can help you understand the Medicaid waiver you'll need to access these services.

These state Medicaid waivers help pay for community-based support so your child with autism or a developmental disability can get services at home instead of an institution. You apply through Georgia's DBHDD, and the Region 3 office handles eligibility for Fulton County families.

SSI provides monthly cash payments to children with a qualifying disability whose families have limited income and resources. You can start the application online and finish by phone or in person with the Social Security Administration.

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.

A South Fulton nonprofit built for local autism families, hosting sensory-friendly festivals, camps, family paint days, and caregiver brunches so kids can connect with peers and parents can find community. They also make referrals for speech, occupational, respite, and behavioral support.

Part of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Marcus Autism Center helps parents find and join support groups and hosts caregiver workshops where families meet others navigating the same journey. It is a trusted hospital-based starting point for connecting with community.

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 long-established Atlanta nonprofit offers adults with disabilities job training, employment, benefits navigation, and family support all in one place. It also runs the Georgia Community Trust, a pooled special needs trust to help protect benefits.

Georgia's behavioral health and developmental disabilities department connects adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to real community jobs at competitive pay, with ongoing coaching. Reach out to your regional field office to get started.

When your child turns 18, this is the local court that handles guardianship and conservatorship if your adult child needs help making legal or financial decisions. Staff can walk you through the forms, though they cannot give legal advice.