🌱 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.
A local Hawaii nonprofit whose helpline can point you toward diagnostic providers, therapies, and next steps if you suspect autism. A warm first call when you're not sure where to begin.
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.
This Makawao practice is home to Maui's developmental and behavioral pediatrician, who diagnoses and treats autism spectrum disorder. It's a local option for a medical developmental evaluation without leaving the island.
This Maui-based nonprofit is the county's early intervention program, offering free developmental screenings, evaluations, and therapy for children birth to age three across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. If you're worried about your child's development, they're the local place to start.
⚖️ 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.
For over 20 years this Hawaii team has offered families free special-education advocacy and legal help, including IEP reviews and due process, and they primarily serve Maui alongside the other islands. A good call when you feel stuck and need someone in your corner.
🧩 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.
An Oahu autism center that brings ABA, speech, and occupational therapy together under one roof, along with diagnostic testing and a therapeutic preschool. Their team builds one individualized plan per child so the different therapies work together instead of in silos.
A Kihei clinic providing one-on-one ABA support for children and adults with autism, with occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists on staff. A long-established local option for families across Maui.
A local pediatric practice offering speech and language, occupational, and ABA therapy for children throughout Maui County. Offices are in Wailuku and Haiku.
A Maui practice offering speech, language, feeding, swallowing, and occupational therapy for children, teens, and adults. They have clinics in Wailuku and Kahului.
A Maui-based pediatric clinic offering occupational, physical, speech, feeding, and ABA therapy for kids with autism and other developmental needs. They have four locations across the island in Wailuku, Makawao, Pukalani, and Lahaina.
💰 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 has a case management office right in Wailuku serving Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Their case managers help determine eligibility and connect your family to the Medicaid I/DD waiver, respite funding, and state-funded services for those who don't qualify for Medicaid.
🤗 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 long-established Maui County nonprofit strengthening families across Maui, Lanaʻi, and Molokaʻi since 1980, with programs including child care help for children with special needs up to age 19. A caring local first call when you need support close to home.
A Maui-based nonprofit in Haiku offering a warm, safe gathering place plus therapy and sensory programs for children and adults with developmental challenges and their families. They also host community events and a nature-based farm program.
🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
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.
One of Maui's longest-running nonprofits, Ka Lima O Maui offers adult day programs, job training, and supported employment for adults with disabilities right here in Wailuku. It is a warm place for your adult child to build skills, work, and stay connected to community.
The ADRC is Maui County's single point of entry for long-term services and supports, serving adults with disabilities as well as seniors. Their staff can walk you through options, benefits, and caregiver support so planning for the years ahead feels less overwhelming.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change — 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 →