This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Hawaii County, Hawaii. You'll find 15 local resources listed here, alongside Hawaii statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Hawaii's starting point is the Early Intervention Section; 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.
A Honolulu practice offering neurodevelopmental and psychological evaluations to assess for autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays in children, teens, and adults. A route to a formal diagnostic evaluation.
Hawaii's free, statewide program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who may have a developmental delay. Call the referral line and they will arrange a no-cost evaluation and connect your family with services, regardless of income or insurance.
The children's-hospital clinic at Kapiolani Medical Center where developmental-behavioral pediatricians evaluate and diagnose autism, ADHD, and other developmental concerns. They also help coordinate your child's ongoing care.
The state's free program that evaluates babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 across all islands, including Hawaii County, when there is a concern about development. One call starts a multidisciplinary evaluation, and there is no cost to your family.
A Big Island community health center with clinics in Hilo and Kona that checks your child's development at every well-child visit using trusted screening tools. It is a caring first stop if you have questions about milestones and want to know whether to seek a fuller 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.
HDRC is Hawaii's federally designated protection and advocacy organization, defending the legal and civil rights of people with disabilities, including students' rights to special education services and IEP/504 plans. Their advocates and attorneys serve families statewide at no cost.
The official state page explaining special education services, eligibility, the IEP process, and your parental rights in Hawaii's public schools. It's the go-to source for understanding what your child is entitled to and how to request an evaluation.
LDAH is Hawaii's official Parent Training and Information Center, offering free one-on-one help, workshops, and mentoring to families navigating special education, IEPs, and disability rights. They support children of all ages and disabilities across Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
SPIN is a Hawaii Department of Health program offering free resources, guides, and support to help parents of children with disabilities understand IEPs, procedural safeguards, and how to advocate at school. They also host an annual conference and maintain a statewide family resource guide.
Based in Hilo, Ku'ikahi is Hawaii Island's community mediation center and offers IEP facilitation to help families and schools work through disagreements about a child's evaluation, services, or placement. It's a calmer, low-cost way to resolve conflicts before they escalate.
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.
For children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, DDD offers case management, service planning, and help getting the support your family needs to thrive in the community. Call the intake line for your island to get started.
BAYADA's Hilo center provides one-on-one ABA therapy from Board Certified Behavior Analysts to help children with autism build communication, social, and daily-life skills at home or in the center. Their team can also walk you through insurance coverage.
This is the state's front door for autism and developmental-disability services, offering case management and the Medicaid I/DD waiver that pays for therapies and supports. Hawaii Island families can call the East Hawaii (Hilo) or West Hawaii (Kona) intake line directly to start eligibility.
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.
An ABLE account lets your family save and invest money for a loved one's disability-related expenses without risking their SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and the growth is tax-free. Accounts are open to Hawaii residents whose disability began before age 46.
If your family member qualifies for DDD services but not the Medicaid waiver, the Family Services and Supports Program can reimburse everyday out-of-pocket costs like incontinence supplies, nutrition supplements, and transportation. Ask your DDD case manager how to apply.
Hawaii's Developmental Disabilities Division runs the Medicaid I/DD waiver, which can pay for respite, personal assistance, and in-home supports so your child can grow up at home and in the community. Call the East Hawaii (Hilo) or West Hawaii (Kona) office to begin the intake and eligibility process.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii offers free civil legal help, including public benefits like SSI and Medicaid, with local offices in Hilo and Kona. Call the neighbor-island intake line to see if they can assist your family.
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.
The state's Developmental Disabilities Division provides case management and Medicaid I/DD waiver services, including respite, for eligible children and adults so families can find safe, community-based support. Call to learn about eligibility and getting connected to a case manager.
This Governor-appointed state council advocates for families and individuals with developmental disabilities and helps them navigate services across the islands. Neighbor-island families can call their local toll-free line for help finding support.
This statewide group is run by parents, for parents of children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities, meeting monthly online to share guidance, resources, and encouragement. Email or call to get your monthly meeting invitation.
Special Olympics Hawaii offers year-round sports, recreation, and community for more than 7,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities across all the islands, including a Young Athletes program for little ones. Reach out to find a team or family activity near you.
A parent-to-parent support group started by Big Island moms, with active chapters in both Kona and Hilo offering community events, sensory-friendly activities, and encouragement for parents. A welcoming space to connect with other families who get it.
A Big Island nonprofit and support call center for families touched by autism and other developmental disabilities, offering family support, social community activities, and a family support group that meets regularly. A friendly first call when you need help or just someone who understands.
A Hawai'i Island nonprofit with offices in Hilo and Kona that supports people with developmental disabilities through personal assistance, community learning, employment help, and inclusive art and recreation programs. A warm local team that can help your family find day-to-day support close to home.
A Hawaii Department of Health program that connects parents of children and young adults with disabilities to parent-to-parent information, referrals, and support statewide, including Hawaii County. Their parent warmline is a caring, free place to start when you have questions.
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 statewide starting point that helps families sort through long-term supports, case management, legal help, and community services across all islands. A specialist can talk through your options and connect you to the right programs.
Hawaii's vocational rehab agency helps people ages 14 and up with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep competitive employment. Counselors work one-on-one on job training, placement, and support as your young adult moves toward the working world.
A free legal-information website that explains, in plain terms, how guardianship and conservatorship work in Hawaii for an adult who cannot make all decisions alone. It includes a guided tool to help you figure out next steps.
A national nonprofit network of vetted attorneys who focus on special needs trusts and long-term planning; its Hawaii directory helps you find a local, credentialed special needs planning attorney. Use it to protect your child's benefits while setting money aside for their future.
The state's DDD coordinates adult services like job supports, adult day programs, and Medicaid waiver case management for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Call the East or West Hawaii intake line to begin eligibility and planning for the years after school.
Hawaii County's ADRC is a free first stop for long-term care and future planning, connecting families to home-based supports, benefits guidance, and a long-term care ombudsman. Staff in Hilo and Kona help you map out care as your loved one ages.
Hawaii's state vocational rehabilitation program helps youth and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep competitive jobs. The Hilo and Kona offices work one-on-one with Hawaii Island families on job training and employment planning.
A longtime Hawaii Island nonprofit offering adult day programs, supported employment, and personal-attendant services for adults with disabilities. Their team helps your young adult find meaningful work and daily support close to home.
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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