Kennebec County, Maine

Autism resources in
Kennebec County.

Local providers and support groups, plus Maine statewide and nationwide programs — all in one place.

🌱 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.
MilestonesFree appAges 0–5
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.cdc.gov
The developmental-behavioral pediatrics team at Maine Medical Center's Barbara Bush Children's Hospital evaluates, diagnoses, and counsels children with autism, developmental delays, and behavioral conditions. They also offer early childhood (birth to 5) evaluations and neuropsychological services.
developmental pediatricsautism evaluationages 0-5Portland
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mainehealth.org
Maine's free, statewide early intervention program helps children from birth to age three reach developmental milestones, with no-cost developmental assessments and full evaluations. Any parent, caregiver, or doctor can make a referral to get the process started.
birth to 3early interventionfree evaluationsstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
Maine's state CDS system provides free early intervention for children birth through 2 and special education services for ages 3 to 5, including the screenings and evaluations that can identify autism and other disabilities. It's the official 'Child Find' entry point for families who have concerns about their child's development.
evaluationschild findages 0-5free
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
This trusted Maine nonprofit helps parents understand and navigate early intervention, evaluations, and early childhood services for children with disabilities including autism. Their staff can walk you through your options and point you to the right programs.
parent navigationearly childhoodautism guidestatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mpf.org
This Portland-based center brings together developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists to diagnose and support children and adults with autism and developmental disorders. It's one of Maine's most comprehensive teams for autism evaluation and care.
autism diagnosisdevelopmental disordersmultidisciplinary teamPortland
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mainehealth.org
MaineHealth Pediatrics Belfast offers on-site, play-based early autism screening and evaluation for children under age three, cutting down on travel and long wait times for midcoast families. The team also connects families to speech, occupational, and ABA therapy.
early screeningunder age 3play-basedmidcoast Maine
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mainehealth.org
A longtime Augusta nonprofit that provides early evaluation, therapies, and autism and behavioral support for children from birth to age five across Kennebec, Franklin, and Somerset Counties. If you have early concerns about your child's development, they are a warm local place to start.
Early interventionKennebec CountyAges 0-5Autism support
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.childrensctr.org

⚖️ 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.
IEPFreeFind your center
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.parentcenterhub.org
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.
Special ed lawFind an advocateIEP rights
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.copaa.org
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.
Free legal helpDisability rightsBy state
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.ndrn.org
Maine's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, with advocates who can help you understand your child's education rights, attend IEP meetings, and resolve disputes with a school.
disability rightseducation rightsadvocacyIEP
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: drme.org
🧑‍⚖️
kidslegal.org ↗
A project of Pine Tree Legal Assistance providing free civil legal help to Maine children and families, including special education, school discipline, and enrollment issues.
free legal aidspecial educationschool rightslow-income
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: kidslegal.org
The state office overseeing special education in Maine, with IEP forms, family resources, and dispute-resolution options like mediation, complaints, and due process hearings when you need them.
state agencyIEPdispute resolutionspecial education
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
Maine's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, offering free guidance and training so you can understand the special education process and be a confident partner in your child's IEP meetings.
IEPspecial educationparent trainingstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mpf.org

🧩 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.
CaregiversMental healthAffordable
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.psychologytoday.com
Maine's state agency page explains the behavioral health services children with autism can receive, including in-home ABA (Specialized RCS) and home and community treatment. It walks families through how to find providers and get connected.
ABAchildrenin-home servicesMaineCare
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
For teens and adults with autism or intellectual disabilities, this state office coordinates case management, waiver services, employment support, and community living. It's the starting point for applying for adult developmental disability services in Maine.
adultscase managementwaiversdevelopmental disability
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
This statewide nonprofit helps families of children with disabilities, including autism, find their way through the maze of services with information, referrals, a resource map, and parent training. A warm first call when you don't know where to turn.
parent supportreferralsinformationtraining
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mpf.org
A Kennebec County clinic with offices in Augusta and Oakland providing pediatric occupational, speech, and feeding therapy for children with autism and developmental delays. They also offer Section 28 children's services.
localoccupational therapyspeechfeeding
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: maineot.com
An early-intervention autism therapy center in Augusta offering ABA for young children, with onsite speech and occupational therapy. They welcome families across the Kennebec County area.
localABAautismearly intervention
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.heartleafaba.com
A long-established local nonprofit with clinics right in Augusta and Waterville, offering outpatient therapy and psychiatric care that includes support for children on the autism spectrum. Their intake line can help you find the right service for your child.
localbehavioral healthautismnonprofit
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.kbhmaine.org

💰 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.
SavingsTax benefitAll states
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.ablenrc.org
ABLE ME lets a person whose disability began before age 46 save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or MaineCare eligibility. It's the only bank-administered ABLE program in the country, run through Bangor Savings Bank with no monthly service fee.
ABLE accountsavingsprotects benefitstax-advantaged
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
These are Maine's Medicaid (MaineCare) home- and community-based waivers that fund supports like respite, community support, and therapies so your child or adult family member with autism or an intellectual disability can live at home. If you don't yet have a case manager, the OADS team can send you application materials and help you get started.
MaineCare waiverrespitestate benefitsIDD & autism
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
Katie Beckett is a MaineCare pathway that gives medical coverage to a child with long-term disabilities or complex needs living at home, even when the family's income is normally too high to qualify. It's a good first step to explore if your child has been denied MaineCare on income alone.
childrenMaineCaremedical coveragehome care
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
MaineCare is Maine's Medicaid program offering free or low-cost health coverage for children and adults with disabilities and other qualifying families. This state office handles applications and can answer eligibility questions in plain terms.
Medicaidhealth coverageapplybenefits
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www1.maine.gov

🤗 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.
AutismHelplineLocal chapters
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: autismsociety.org
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.
IDDAdvocacyLocal chapters
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: thearc.org
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.
FreeReferrals24/7
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.211.org
Serving all 16 Maine counties, Alpha One offers peer support, information and referral, caregiver and personal care services, home accessibility help, and youth programs for people with disabilities and their families. Their monthly peer support meetings are a welcoming place to connect.
peer supportindependent livingcaregiver servicesstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: alphaonenow.org
Maine's statewide autism nonprofit since 1976, offering free parent/caregiver support groups (in person in Winthrop and online) plus teen and adult social groups across the state. Call them and they'll help you find a group near you or connect you to local resources.
autismsupport groupssocial groupsstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.asmonline.org
In partnership with Maine's Office of Behavioral Health, Community Care provides trained, compassionate respite caregivers so families raising children with developmental, behavioral, or special needs can rest and recharge. Services are available across Maine.
respitefamily supportchildrenstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: comcareme.org
The state agency that coordinates services for Mainers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism, including case management, person-centered planning, community involvement, crisis services, and waiver programs. A good starting point for understanding what state supports your family may qualify for.
state agencycase managementwaiver servicesstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
A DHHS-funded, statewide program that gives families a much-needed break by providing trained respite caregivers for children with significant developmental delays or behavioral and emotional needs. You can use your own provider or choose from their regional list.
respitecaregiver breakchildrenstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: namimaine.org
Maine Adaptive offers year-round adaptive sports and recreation for children and adults with disabilities, from cycling and paddling in the summer to skiing in the winter. It is a joyful way for your child to build confidence and try something new alongside trained, caring volunteers.
recreationadaptive sportsall agesstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maineadaptive.org
This Augusta nonprofit serves families across greater Kennebec County with early intervention, therapies, and parent-education programs for young children with autism and other special needs. Their family-support and case-management team can help you find your footing in those first years.
family supportearly interventionparent educationAugusta
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.childrensctr.org

🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning

Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.

DVR is Maine's state program that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, with free counseling, evaluation, and job placement, plus transition services that can start while your teen is still in high school. Monthly virtual orientations walk families through how to apply.
vocational rehabemploymenttransitionstate agency
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.maine.gov
The Maine Parent Federation gathers the adult transition pieces into one place, connecting families to OADS services, benefits, supported decision-making, and their REAL Transition Partners program for the move into adulthood. It's a warm first call when you're not sure where to begin.
transition planningfamily supportaging outnonprofit
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mpf.org
This nonprofit runs Maine's first pooled special needs trust, letting your loved one set aside money for extras like travel, hobbies, and services without losing MaineCare or SSI eligibility. Because many families' funds are pooled, the administrative costs are lower than setting up a trust on your own.
special needs trustlong-term planningbenefitsnonprofit
A long-established local agency whose case managers build an individualized plan and connect adults with autism or intellectual disability to day programs, home support, employment help, and benefits. They serve Kennebec and Somerset counties.
case managementlocaladult servicesKennebec
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.kbhmaine.org
Mobius provides community case management for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including assessments, person-centered planning, and help coordinating supports and benefits. They serve Kennebec County and surrounding areas.
case managementadult servicesperson-centered planningKennebec
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.mobiusinc.org
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 →

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