This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in St. Joseph County, Indiana. You'll find 12 local resources listed here, alongside Indiana statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Indiana's starting point is First Steps; 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 free, statewide directory of more than 3,000 Indiana providers for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. Search it any time to find evaluation, therapy, and diagnostic services near you.
Indiana's free early intervention program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or a diagnosed condition. One phone call connects your family to evaluations and in-home services that help your child learn and grow.
Based at Indiana University, IRCA offers Hoosier families trusted guidance on autism diagnosis, resources, and support, plus articles and visual supports made specifically for Indiana parents and educators. A warm first stop when you're just starting to understand a diagnosis.
Riley's developmental medicine team offers comprehensive autism and developmental evaluations, including early autism assessments and full-day interdisciplinary evaluations with psychologists, developmental pediatricians, and speech therapists. It's one of Indiana's leading diagnostic centers for children.
The region's comprehensive children's hospital in South Bend, with a behavioral and developmental pediatrics team that evaluates and cares for children with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Ask your child's pediatrician for a referral, since one is required to be seen.
Indiana's free early intervention program for children birth to age 3 who may need extra support meeting developmental milestones, covering evaluations plus speech, developmental, and other therapies. Any parent can call the local intake office directly to start, no doctor's referral required.
An established autism center in South Bend that provides diagnostic evaluations to help families understand their child's development and next steps. A good option if you want an assessment focused specifically on autism spectrum disorder.
A South Bend pediatric practice offering early autism evaluations for young children up to 42 months, using a low-stress play-based screening so families can get answers and start support sooner. Your child's primary doctor can refer you, or you can call the office directly.
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.
IEP-Hope is an Indiana nonprofit founded by parents for parents, offering free support, education, and advocacy for families whose children have IEPs or 504 plans in Indiana public schools. They can help you prepare for meetings and understand your child's rights at no cost to your family.
IN*SOURCE is Indiana's federally-funded Parent Training and Information Center, helping parents of children with disabilities understand their rights and navigate the special education and IEP process. Their trained staff can talk with you one-on-one, offer free training, and even attend IEP meetings to support your family.
The state's Office of Special Education oversees IEPs, evaluations, and disability services in Indiana public schools, and offers families free procedural safeguards and a no-cost facilitated IEP service to help prevent and resolve disagreements. It's a trusted place to understand the rules schools must follow for your child.
Indiana Disability Rights is the state's official protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal advice and advocacy when a school isn't following your child's IEP or 504 plan. They can help with issues like appropriate services, least restrictive environment, assistive technology, and improper restraint or seclusion.
A South Bend-based clinic where Notre Dame law students and attorneys help local parents advocate for their child's services, join IEP meetings and mediations, and navigate the K-12 system. Note that the clinic's caseload opens and closes, so it's worth reaching out to check current availability before you count on it.
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.
This Indiana affiliate keeps a regularly updated, region-by-region list of ABA therapy centers across the whole state, so you can find providers near you. Their team can also answer questions about ABA and connect you to local support.
A comprehensive South Bend center that brings ABA, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy together in one location, with diagnosis and family guidance too. They welcome children starting as young as 15 months.
This established autism provider offers ABA therapy at home, in schools, in the community, and at its South Bend learning center, along with caregiver training. Use their website's location finder to connect with the local team.
A long-standing South Bend nonprofit that has served St. Joseph County families since 1950, offering autism services, therapy, and child and family support all in one place. A warm first call if you're just getting started and want guidance close to home.
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.
Serving central Indiana, CICOA connects family caregivers of children and adults with disabilities to counseling, resources, and help managing Medicaid waivers like the Family Supports and CIH waivers. It's a good starting point if you're caring for a loved one and feeling overwhelmed.
Indiana's federally designated protection and advocacy agency offers free legal advocacy and help defending your child's rights around benefits, education, healthcare, and discrimination. Their teams can guide you when you hit barriers accessing services or benefits.
This statewide, parent-staffed organization gives families free, one-on-one help understanding Medicaid, waivers, insurance, and benefits for kids with disabilities and special health needs. They know the system firsthand and can walk you through applications and next steps.
This state program lets people with disabilities save and invest money for everyday and disability-related expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. You can open an account with as little as $1, and Indiana taxpayers may qualify for a state tax credit on contributions.
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.
Indiana's statewide autism nonprofit connects families to Area Support Coordinators (who are themselves touched by autism) and runs support groups like Caregiver Connection and Dads for Autism, both in person and online. Reach out anytime to find help near you.
Based at Indiana University, the IRCA hosts the free Hoosier Autism Caregivers Virtual Support Group on the first Wednesday of each month, plus a huge library of articles, webinars, and visual supports for families. A trusted, no-cost place to learn and connect.
This university-maintained directory lists dozens of local autism parent support groups across Indiana, organized by city, so you can find a group that meets near your home. Each listing includes a real contact person and how the group meets.
With over 20 year-round sports across 10 areas of the state, Special Olympics Indiana offers recreation, friendship, and belonging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Young Athletes and Unified programs welcome kids and families of all ability levels.
This South Bend program runs social and recreational activities for people ages 6 through adulthood with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. Think arts and crafts, music and movement, and a welcoming space to build friendships.
A beloved St. Joseph County camp offering a safe, traditional overnight camp experience for children and adults with disabilities. Summer sessions plus shorter spring and fall weekends give families a break and campers a place to belong.
Founded by the Weis family in South Bend, Hannah & Friends improves quality of life for individuals with special needs through recreational programs, equine therapy, and family grants. A warm, neighborhood-centered community close to home.
A South Bend nonprofit serving families since 1950, LOGAN offers autism services, family support, social coaching, and recreation clubs for children, teens, and adults with disabilities. Their Sonya Ansari Center for Autism is the local hub for autism programming.
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.
This is Indiana's state agency for adults with developmental disabilities, running the Medicaid waivers that fund adult day programs, employment help, and residential support so your child can keep getting services after they age out of school. You apply through the online BDS Gateway or your local office.
IRCA at Indiana University offers practical, autism-specific articles on planning for adulthood, covering jobs, housing, relationships, and long-term life planning. It's a trusted place to understand what a good transition plan should include.
Indiana's Vocational Rehabilitation program helps adults and older teens with autism and other disabilities explore careers, find and keep jobs, and get job coaching or assistive technology. Eligibility is not based on income, and counselors serve every county through 25 local offices.
Part of Indiana University, this center gives families plain-language guidance on planning the move from high school to adult life, work, and independence. They offer free transition resources and open virtual office hours for parents with questions.
One of the country's first pooled special needs trusts, this program lets families set aside money for a loved one with a disability without risking Medicaid or SSI eligibility. Their staff help you enroll and manage the trust for qualified disability and personal expenses.
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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