This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Henry County, Georgia. You'll find 13 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.
The local Henry County office of District 4 Public Health is your on-the-ground door to Babies Can't Wait evaluations, developmental screenings, and Children's Medical Services. Staff can walk you through referrals and next steps close to home.
Henry County Schools offers free developmental evaluations for children ages 3 to 21 who may have a delay or disability, including preschoolers not yet in school. Any parent worried about their child's development can call to request an evaluation.
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 department, serving Henry County children ages 3 through 21 with autism and other disabilities. Here you'll find Child Find evaluations, parent rights information, Section 504 support, and a parent mentor program right in McDonough.
This is Georgia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, and it's a warm first call when you're facing an IEP meeting or a school disagreement. Their staff walk you through your rights one-on-one and can connect you to education advocates and attorneys who know special education law.
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.
A university center working to make quality autism diagnosis and services reachable for every Georgia family. Their team can point you toward evaluation and referral resources when you're not sure where to start.
A statewide nonprofit that helps families find local therapists, ABA providers, and specialists through its searchable Special Needs Database. Trained parent navigators can also talk you through options and next steps at no cost.
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.
This free legal-help site from Atlanta Legal Aid and Georgia Legal Services explains SSI, Social Security, and public benefits in plain language, and its Legal Help Finder connects you with free legal aid in your area. It's a good first stop if a benefit was denied or you need help with an appeal.
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.
This is Henry County's local public provider for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering family support, respite, community access, and day programs right in McDonough. Staff can help you understand services and get connected close to home.
A parent-founded nonprofit serving special-needs and autism families across south metro Atlanta, including Henry County, with monthly support groups, a 7,000-member online community, family events, and a dads' group. It's a warm place to meet other parents who get it.
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 the state's front door for long-term supports like the NOW and COMP Medicaid waivers, which fund adult day, employment, and residential services. Applying early gets your loved one onto the planning list, since waits can be long.
When a young adult turns 18 and needs help making health, safety, or financial decisions, this is the local court where families file for guardianship or conservatorship. Their staff can point you to the forms and steps to get started.
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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