This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. You'll find 20 local resources listed here, alongside Louisiana statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Louisiana's starting point is EarlySteps; 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.
EarlySteps is Louisiana's free statewide program for babies and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or diagnoses, providing evaluations and in-home therapy services. Anyone can make a referral by calling the System Point of Entry for your region.
This state help line connects families of children with special health or developmental needs to doctors, therapists, early intervention, and insurance help, all in one call or text. Multilingual support is available and the service is free.
As Louisiana's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the HDC offers autism diagnostic services and connects families to resources, training, and advocacy support. It's a trusted starting point for families navigating a new developmental-disability diagnosis.
Ochsner's Boh Center provides specialized developmental and autism evaluations plus therapy for children, often letting families see several specialists in one visit. It serves families in the New Orleans area with additional locations in Covington and Jefferson.
This hospital-based center offers comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for children and teens ages 18 months to 21 years, performed by licensed psychologists and a developmental-behavioral pediatrician. Call to schedule an evaluation or ask about services.
Louisiana's free early intervention program evaluates babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 for developmental delays, right in your home or child care setting. First Steps is the official point of entry for Lafayette Parish, so one call starts the process.
A local satellite of Children's Hospital New Orleans offering pediatric neurology and genetics close to home in Lafayette, both of which can be part of a developmental workup. Families in Acadiana can be seen here instead of traveling to New Orleans.
This Lafayette hospital clinic has pediatric neurologists who evaluate and treat children for developmental delay and related conditions. It is a local option when your pediatrician recommends a specialist.
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.
As Louisiana's official protection and advocacy agency, they defend students with disabilities against inappropriate discipline and illegal exclusion from school under IDEA and Section 504. Reach out if your child needs help with transition services, assistive technology, or access to their education.
This regional resource center teaches parents in the Baton Rouge area practical advocacy skills for special education, with free consultations, trainings, and support around your child's IEP and rights under IDEA. Serves East/West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, and the Felicianas.
When you and your child's school can't agree on special education services, the state offers free help, from a confidential Special Education Ombudsman to IEP facilitation, mediation, and formal complaint options. It's a good first call if you feel stuck and want a neutral guide.
Louisiana's federally funded Parent Training & Information Center helps you understand your child's rights under IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA, and coaches you, free of charge, through IEP meetings and disagreements with the school. Their staff are parents of children with disabilities themselves, so they truly get it.
A nonprofit with free, plain-language guides that walk you page by page through the Louisiana IEP form and the whole special education process. You can call or text a real person when you need help figuring out a next step.
A free, confidential state office that helps parents work through special education problems and IEP disagreements without going to court. They also offer 'Louisiana's Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities' in nine languages so you know your protections.
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.
The Louisiana Department of Health maintains this hub of local, regional, and national resources for families raising a child with special health or developmental needs. It gathers professional organizations, family advocacy groups, and Medicaid and benefits information in one place.
Louisiana Medicaid covers ABA therapy for children from birth through age 21 who have an autism diagnosis, a comprehensive evaluation, and a physician's prescription. The state's Medicaid team can walk you through eligibility and finding an enrolled provider.
This university clinic provides interdisciplinary autism evaluations and treatment through psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and education specialists. It serves children ages 2 to 12 across north Louisiana's Ark-La-Tex region.
A well-established Louisiana nonprofit providing speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral health, and autism services all under one roof. They focus on helping children with autism and communication challenges grow toward independence.
Acadiana's only nationally recognized Behavioral Health Center of Excellence ABA program, offering ABA therapy, psychological testing, speech and occupational therapy, and counseling all under one roof. A warm, comprehensive place to start if your child needs an evaluation or ongoing support.
This hospital-affiliated program offers speech, occupational, and physical therapy for infants and children with developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders. It's a trusted local option backed by a major health system right here in Lafayette.
A Lafayette center providing speech, occupational, and feeding therapy along with early-intervention services and small therapeutic groups for young children. A friendly, kid-focused spot for families navigating developmental needs.
Serving the greater Lafayette area since 2011, this center offers compassionate, client-focused ABA therapy for children with autism and developmental delays. They have two convenient locations in Lafayette and nearby Scott.
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.
Louisiana's federally designated protection and advocacy agency offers free information, referrals, and legal advocacy on disability issues, including helping Medicaid-enrolled children get medically necessary services like autism evaluations. They also help with public benefits, special education, and abuse or neglect concerns.
Louisiana's ABLE program lets you save money for your child's disability-related expenses without risking their Medicaid or SSI eligibility, and deposits may qualify for a state tax deduction. It's administered by the state and open to Louisiana residents with a qualifying disability.
Louisiana Medicaid covers doctor visits, therapies, and other care for eligible children and adults with disabilities, and it's the gateway to the state's developmental disability waivers. You can apply online, by mail, or by phone, and staff can walk you through eligibility.
The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities runs Louisiana's Medicaid waivers (New Opportunities, Children's Choice, Residential Options, and Supports) that fund respite, support coordination, day programs, and in-home help so your child can be supported at home and in the community. Contact your local governing entity to request services.
This is your local starting point in Lafayette for Louisiana's Medicaid home-and-community-based waivers (Children's Choice, Supports, and New Opportunities Waivers). Call them to have your child assessed and added to the state's Request for Services Registry.
A Lafayette-based nonprofit offering free civil legal help to lower-income families, including denied or lost public benefits, Medicaid, and special education issues. They serve 42 parishes across south, central, and north Louisiana.
A Louisiana tax-advantaged savings account that lets your family set aside money for disability-related costs like housing, education, and transportation without losing SSI or Medicaid eligibility. It is a simple way to build a financial cushion for your child's future.
Louisiana Medicaid can cover doctor visits, therapies, and long-term supports for your child, and children who receive SSI usually qualify automatically. You can apply online through the state self-service portal or by phone.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly cash payments to help support a child or adult with a qualifying disability and limited income. You can apply by phone or at the Lafayette field office on Corporate Boulevard.
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.
A Baton Rouge-based statewide chapter that connects families across Louisiana to autism resources, events, and support so no one has to navigate a diagnosis alone. Reach out through their inquiry form or by phone for help finding what you need.
A statewide network of nine family-staffed regional resource centers where parents raising a child with a disability can find peer support groups, information, and someone who's been there to lean on. Every center is free, welcomes any disability and any age, and can connect you to services near you.
Louisiana's Parent Training and Information Center, offering free autism support, IEP and special-education guidance, peer support, and a statewide resource guide for any disability and any age. A warm first stop when you're not sure where to turn.
A free residential summer camp for Louisiana youth with special needs and certain medical conditions, sponsored by local Lions Clubs so families pay nothing. It offers your child a welcoming week of outdoor recreation and gives caregivers a break.
The state office that serves as the single point of entry for developmental disability services in Louisiana, including respite care, family support, and flexible family funds. It's the first call to understand what supports your child may qualify for.
A nonprofit that runs week-long overnight summer camps completely free of charge for Louisiana children with disabilities, including autism, with each camp tailored to specific needs and staffed by trained health professionals. It's a chance for your child to have real camp fun and for you to get a bit of respite.
A Lafayette nonprofit offering year-round recreation for children and youth with special needs, including sports, dance, art, theater, and music therapy. Families can find inclusive activities where their kids belong and thrive.
A Lafayette-based parent support group that welcomes new families, shares resources, and hosts social events and the annual Buddy Walk. They connect parents of children with Down syndrome across Lafayette and the Acadiana region.
A longtime Lafayette nonprofit serving adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through day programs, recreation, and residential support. Their programs also give family caregivers much-needed respite.
Free, year-round inclusive sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across Lafayette Parish and Acadiana. Families can sign a child up as an athlete or get involved as a volunteer.
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.
The Council, appointed by the Governor, works statewide on employment, self-determination, and community living for people with developmental disabilities, and is a helpful starting point for understanding your options as your child moves into adulthood. Their staff can point families toward the right adult programs and supports.
GODA serves as a statewide information hub for people with disabilities and their families, helping you find the agencies and programs behind adult services, benefits, and long-term planning. When you're not sure who to call, this office can help point the way.
OCDD is the state's single point of entry for developmental disability services, including the Medicaid waivers (NOW, Supports, Residential Options) that fund adult day, supported employment, and community living as your child ages out of school. Their support coordination and My Place Louisiana programs help plan the move into adult life.
LRS is the state's vocational rehabilitation program, helping young adults and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep competitive jobs through work evaluation, job counseling, assistive technology, and placement support. It's a key resource as your child transitions from school toward employment.
Serving Lafayette and seven neighboring parishes, this agency guides families through long-term care options, caregiver support, and planning for the future. A helpful resource as you think ahead about care for an aging loved one or when you are planning your own later years.
A long-established Lafayette nonprofit offering adult day habilitation, supported employment, and community-based work crews for adults with developmental disabilities. A warm option for meaningful daily activity and paid work after high school.
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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