Autism resources in
Madison 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.

This developmental pediatrics program in Chicago offers autism diagnosis and developmental evaluations for children from birth to age 18, plus speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies. It's a full team ready to assess your child and guide you forward.

Illinois' free statewide program evaluates babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 for developmental delays and, if your child qualifies, sets up therapies and support at no cost through a family service plan. One call connects you to your local Child and Family Connections office.

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offers comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations and treatment for children, teens, and adults. It's a trusted hospital-based option when you need a thorough assessment and a plan for next steps.

Comer Children's Hospital provides autism diagnosis for infants and toddlers under age 3 as well as ongoing care for older children, using gold-standard tools like the ADOS. A caring team helps you understand your child and plan therapies.

Part of the University of Illinois, this state-partnered division helps families across Illinois navigate Early Intervention and connect children with special healthcare needs to evaluations and services. Their helpline can point you to the right local office.

This is the state Early Intervention office for Madison County, serving children birth to age three who may have developmental delays. They arrange free developmental evaluations and connect your family to therapies at no cost.

With an office in Edwardsville, Hope provides autism screenings and comprehensive diagnostic evaluations using tools like the ADOS-2. Their goal is to shorten the wait for a clear answer so your child can start support sooner.

Located in Edwardsville, this hospital-based center offers autism diagnostic evaluations and developmental pediatric care, plus speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy. A physician referral is needed to get started.

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.

Equip for Equality is Illinois's federally mandated disability rights legal organization, and their free Special Education Rights Parent Helpline lets you talk through IEP, 504, discipline, and evaluation concerns. They can also provide limited legal help at IEP meetings, mediations, and hearings.

Family Matters is Illinois's only federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, and as of October 2025 it serves families across the entire state. Their team offers free one-on-one coaching, IEP guidance, and workshops to help you understand your child's special education rights.

The state education agency's special education portal hosts A Parent's Guide to your child's educational rights and responsibilities, plus tools for IEPs, evaluations, and resolving disagreements with a school. It's the official Illinois source for how special education is supposed to work.

Equip for Equality is Illinois' governor-appointed disability rights protection and advocacy agency, serving families statewide including Lake County. Their Special Education Helpline offers free guidance, and in some cases legal representation, for IEP meetings, evaluations, discipline, and dispute resolution.

Family Matters is a federally funded center that helps Illinois parents of children with disabilities understand their rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and work effectively with their schools. Their trained parent staff offer free, one-on-one support by phone.

This state commission offers free training that walks parents through special education law, evaluations, IEPs, and how to advocate effectively for their child. It's a trustworthy starting point when you want to understand the process before your next school meeting.

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 largest statewide autism network in the country, TAP connects families to screening, diagnostic evaluations, therapy (ABA, speech, OT/PT), and support groups through more than 20 centers across Illinois. A great first call when you're not sure where to start.

A university clinic at the University of Illinois Chicago providing autism diagnosis, psychological and speech-language evaluations, counseling, and behavior services for individuals ages 3 and up. Care is offered in English and Spanish by a bilingual, multidisciplinary team.

A University of Illinois Chicago program offering free care coordination for families of children with special healthcare needs in every Illinois county. Care coordinators help you find specialists, therapy, and services and navigate the paperwork that comes with them.

A center-based and in-home ABA therapy provider in downtown Edwardsville, offering custom therapy plans, family training, and skill-building for children with autism. They accept most insurance with a diagnosis and referral.

This is the local intake point for Illinois' Early Intervention system, connecting Madison County families of children under 3 with free developmental evaluations and therapies like speech, OT, and PT. All screenings and service coordination come at no cost to you.

Right on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, this center evaluates and treats speech, language, and hearing needs in toddlers through teens. Sessions are led by graduate clinicians under licensed supervision, which often makes it a more affordable option.

This Glen Carbon clinic offers individualized, evidence-based ABA therapy for children with autism, with a warm focus on early intervention for ages 2 to 8. Their play-based approach builds communication, social, and daily-living skills.

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.

Equip for Equality is Illinois' federally designated disability rights protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal advice, self-advocacy help, and representation. Reach out if your child faces discrimination or you need help enforcing their rights.

Run by the Illinois State Treasurer, IL ABLE lets your family save and invest for disability-related expenses without risking SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Earnings and withdrawals for qualified costs like housing, therapy, and daily living are tax-free.

Illinois' Medicaid agency offers this waiver to help families cover things like assistive technology, home and vehicle modifications, and behavior treatment so your child can stay at home. It serves kids and young adults ages 3-21 with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

This is the local intake agency that helps Madison County families get on the PUNS list and access Illinois' Medicaid waiver funding for developmental disability services. Their case managers walk you through eligibility and connect you to services, all at no cost.

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.

A grassroots nonprofit serving families in Southern Illinois with support groups, education, advocacy, and recreation opportunities for children and adults with autism. Reach out to find local meetups and family programs near you.

A Chicago-area nonprofit that hosts monthly parent support meetings, a social and recreational club, and seasonal family events for children and adults with autism. It is a welcoming place to meet other families who understand.

A statewide nonprofit that helps Illinois family caregivers find a break, with respite referrals, training, and an emergency respite fund that offers stipends up to $500 for planned or unexpected situations. Call their toll-free line to talk through your options.

This Alton-based nonprofit has supported Madison County adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 60 years, offering community living, skills training, recreation, and employment. It is a steady local option as your child grows toward adulthood and independence.

The Edwardsville Y offers a full menu of adapted recreation for children and adults with disabilities, from special-needs swimming and adaptive sports to social nights, dance, and open gym. It is a friendly, welcoming way for your child to move, play, and make friends close to home in Madison County.

Based in nearby Fairview Heights and funded to serve all of Madison County, this longtime nonprofit runs a free monthly support group for families of children with autism (in person or virtual) plus a Client and Family Support Program that helps with respite, guardianship, and connecting to services. It is a warm place to meet other local parents who understand.

A state agency that safeguards the rights of adults with disabilities, home to the Office of State Guardian, the nation's largest public guardianship program. They can guide your family through guardianship questions and connect you to legal help.

A free statewide program that helps families understand the sometimes confusing world of transition, adult services, waivers, and PUNS, with real people to talk through your next step. A trusted first call when your child is aging out of school services.

An Illinois nonprofit that has helped families set up and manage special needs (pooled) trusts for over 30 years, so savings won't jeopardize a loved one's benefits. They draft trust agreements and administer accounts that meet Social Security and Medicaid rules.

This is the local Independent Service Coordination agency that opens the door to adult developmental-disability services in Madison County. They help your child get on the state PUNS waiting list, plan the move from school to adult services, and connect to waiver-funded day and residential supports.

Serving Madison County families since 1957, BeDell runs adult day programs, supported employment, and community living (CILA) homes for adults with developmental disabilities. A warm local option for what comes after high school.