🌱 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.
Kentucky's free statewide program that evaluates babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 and provides therapy and support if your child has a developmental delay or disability. You can call to make a referral yourself — no doctor needed, and services are available in every county.
Kentucky's parent-run information center that helps you understand evaluations, First Steps early intervention, and the whole process of getting your child diagnosed and supported. Real people who have been through it can guide you and answer your questions for free.
Kentucky's dedicated autism center, offering autism testing and diagnosis along with therapy and family support all in one place. Based in Louisville with outreach diagnostic clinics in Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, and Somerset.
The University of Kentucky's clinic in Lexington that provides thorough diagnostic evaluations for autism, developmental delays, ADHD, and related conditions in young children. A good option for families in central and eastern Kentucky seeking a formal medical diagnosis.
A specialized tertiary clinic in downtown Louisville providing diagnostic evaluations and treatment for infants and children with autism, developmental disabilities, ADHD, and learning differences. Connected to Norton Children's at the Novak Center for Children's Health.
If you're worried about how your baby or toddler is growing, talking, or moving, First Steps offers free developmental evaluations and early intervention therapies for children birth to age 3 right here in the Green River area, including Daviess County. Their team can come to your home or childcare setting.
RiverValley is the region's designated community mental health center for Daviess County, offering behavioral intervention services focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Children's Center for Autism. They have a 24/7 walk-in clinic if your family ever needs immediate support.
TheraTree's Owensboro clinic provides comprehensive psychological evaluations to diagnose autism, ADHD, and learning or developmental differences, pairing testing with occupational and speech assessments for an accurate picture of your child. They welcome calls or texts to get started.
⚖️ 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 state's special education office offers clear, official guidance on eligibility, ARC/IEP meetings, and 504 plans, including a family video series that walks you through the process step by step. It's a trustworthy place to check what the rules actually say for Kentucky schools.
Kentucky's designated disability rights agency protects your child's legal rights in school, including help understanding IEPs, 504 plans, and issues like restraint and seclusion. They provide free information, publications, and legal advocacy for Kentucky families.
If your child attends a county school, this is the district office that handles evaluations, ARC meetings, IEPs and 504 plans. You are always a member of your child's ARC team, and staff here can walk you through the process and your rights.
For families in the Owensboro city school district, this office coordinates special education services, ARC meetings and IEP/504 supports. Reach out to ask questions, request an evaluation, or get help understanding your child's plan.
🧩 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.
A statewide center at the University of Louisville, established by the Kentucky legislature, that offers trainings, workshops, and evidence-based resources to help families and providers support autistic Kentuckians. A trusted first stop for understanding services and next steps.
A Kentucky state office that helps eligible children under 21 get physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, hearing tests, and specialty medical care. Call the toll-free line to find the office serving your county.
A local Owensboro pediatric clinic offering ABA (behavioral) therapy, speech, occupational, physical and feeding therapy, plus autism evaluations all under one roof. A warm option when your child needs several kinds of support close to home.
A community-based Owensboro speech-language practice serving children (and adults) since 1989, with experience in autism, apraxia, feeding and language development. Clinicians are licensed and ASHA-certified.
💰 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 free, plain-language tool helps you understand how SSI, Medicaid, ABLE accounts, and work affect one another, with calculators to see how a job or savings changes your benefits. It's a clear guide for families navigating the confusing world of disability benefits.
This Kentucky grant program gives families flexible, non-Medicaid funds for supports like respite, home modifications, personal care, and adaptive equipment so a loved one with a disability can stay in their own home and community. Any Kentuckian with an ADA-recognized disability can apply, with an April 1 deadline each year.
DAIL runs Kentucky's caregiver support and respite programs and connects families to help through the regional Area Agencies on Aging. It's a good first call for finding in-home respite, adult day services, and other supports for caregivers.
This federally mandated agency offers free legal advocacy, information, and training to protect the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities, including help with waiver services, IEPs, guardianship alternatives, and disability discrimination. It's a trusted place to turn when your child's rights or services are at stake.
This Kentucky Medicaid waiver helps people with intellectual or developmental disabilities get in-home and community supports so they can live as independently as possible. You apply through kynect after establishing Medicaid eligibility; there is currently a waiting list, so applying early matters.
Kentucky's official ABLE program lets families and individuals with disabilities save and invest for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Anyone whose disability began before age 46 can open a tax-advantaged account and manage it entirely online.
Free civil legal help for lower-income families in Daviess County, including problems with SSI, Medicaid, and other benefits. Their Owensboro office can guide you through denials and appeals; call intake to see if you qualify.
Owensboro's regional Community Mental Health Center offers intellectual and developmental disability services for children, adults, and families, and is a local place to apply in person for the Michelle P. Waiver. They can connect you with case management and supports close to home.
🤗 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.
This nonprofit runs sensory-friendly family events, summer camps, and social gatherings so autism families across Kentucky and Southern Indiana can connect and have fun together. They also keep a resource directory and offer ongoing support and education for the whole family.
This state office helps connect autistic individuals, families, and caregivers to resources and coordinates autism supports across Kentucky. Its councils and subcommittees cover early childhood through adulthood so you can find guidance at any stage.
HDI is Kentucky's university center for people with developmental disabilities, offering family mentoring, advocacy connections, and information on education, recreation, and transition to adult life. It's a warm, statewide starting point when you're not sure where to turn.
A Daviess County therapeutic horseback riding program in Philpot for children and adults with disabilities. Adaptive riding classes help build confidence, strength, and independence in a warm, welcoming outdoor setting.
A parent-founded Owensboro nonprofit that walks alongside families of people with Down syndrome and other developmental differences, from the early years through adulthood. Most programs are free, and community events like the annual Buddy Walk help families build lasting friendships.
Owensboro's longtime community mental health center, serving Daviess and neighboring counties with specialized support for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Case managers help families sort out services and find their footing.
🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
Kentucky's university center on disability, offering trusted, family-friendly resources on transitioning to adulthood, supported employment, and autism-specific job supports. Their planning guides help families map out life after high school across work, housing, and independent living.
The state program that steps in as legal guardian or conservator for adults who can no longer make their own personal or financial decisions and have no family available. If you're weighing guardianship as your child ages into adulthood, this office can explain your options.
Kentucky's state agency that helps adults and transition-age youth with disabilities find and keep jobs through counseling, training, supported employment, and assistive technology. Counselors serve all 120 counties, so there's an office near your family.
The state department that oversees adult supports for Kentuckians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including the Supports for Community Living and Michelle P. Medicaid waivers and the Hart-Supported Living program. This is the starting point for adult day, employment, and community-living services.
The Green River Area Development District runs this local resource center as a first phone call for Daviess County families navigating long-term care, waivers, benefits, and disability services. Staff help connect you to the right supports based on your needs.
A longtime Owensboro nonprofit offering adult day services, supported employment, and community and residential living for people with developmental disabilities. They are a local, hands-on option right here in Daviess County as your child moves into adulthood.
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.
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