Michigan

Autism resources in Michigan.

Statewide programs plus local resources for each county. Confirm details directly with each provider.

🌱 Diagnosis & Early Intervention

Getting an evaluation and accessing early services.

Michigan's free statewide early intervention system for infants and toddlers birth to age 3 who have a developmental delay or disability. You can start a referral online or by phone and connect with services close to home.
early interventionbirth to 3freestatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: 1800earlyon.org
A free navigation service that helps Michigan families find a local autism evaluation center and get connected to the right providers and next steps. A real person walks alongside you at no cost.
navigationdiagnosis helpfreestatewide
An approved autism evaluation center at the University of Michigan offering advanced diagnostic evaluations for children with autism, developmental delays, and behavioral concerns. Clinics serve infants through the teen years and accept Medicaid and other insurance.
diagnosisdevelopmental pediatricshospitalAnn Arbor
A university-based center in Kalamazoo providing comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for autism spectrum disorder in young children up to age 6. It is an approved autism evaluation center and accepts referrals from your child's doctor or care team.
diagnosisautism evaluationuniversityKalamazoo
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: wmed.edu

⚖️ 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
As Michigan's federally designated disability rights (protection and advocacy) organization, they offer free, confidential help with special education problems, evaluations, IEPs, and student rights. Their Information and Referral line can point you toward advocacy, guides, and sample letters.
disability rightsadvocacyspecial educationfree
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.drmich.org
Michigan's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center helps you understand special education, prepare for IEP meetings, and connect with a trained parent mentor who has been there too. Support is free for families of children birth to 26, with staff available in Spanish and Arabic.
IEP supportparent trainingspecial educationfree
When you and your school disagree, SEMS offers free, confidential facilitation and mediation to help resolve special education disputes so your child gets the services they need. It is funded through the Michigan Department of Education under IDEA and can be used at any time.
dispute resolutionmediationIEPfree
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.mikids1st.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
A University of Michigan clinic providing autism testing and therapy, including speech-language and behavioral support for children and families. A well-established university option for evaluation and ongoing treatment.
evaluationspeech therapyuniversity clinic
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: mari.umich.edu
The state's official autism hub explains Michigan's Medicaid ABA benefit and lets you look up your county's local autism benefit coordinator. It's a trustworthy starting point for understanding what therapy your child may qualify for.
Medicaid ABAstate agencycounty coordinators
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.michigan.gov
A statewide directory of Medicaid Applied Behavior Analysis providers, organized by region and showing which insurance plans, ages, and service settings (center, home, or telehealth) each location covers. Helpful when you're searching for an ABA provider that takes your coverage.
ABAMedicaidprovider directory
A University of Michigan Health program offering combined speech and occupational therapy for young children (ages 2-4) with an autism diagnosis, including small-group sessions and parent training. Ask your pediatrician for a speech-language evaluation referral to get started.
speech therapyOThospital programearly childhood
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.uofmhealth.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
Michigan's federally designated protection and advocacy agency offers free information, referral, and legal advocacy to protect the rights of people with disabilities. They can help if benefits, services, or accommodations your child is entitled to are being denied.
legal aidadvocacyfree
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.drmich.org
If you have a child under 18 with autism or a developmental disability and a household income at or below the state limit, this MDHHS program provides a modest monthly payment to help with the everyday costs of caring for your child at home. Families can use it for whatever best supports their child.
monthly subsidyrespite fundingchildren
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.michigan.gov
Michigan's tax-advantaged ABLE savings accounts let your child save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. It's a safe way to build a financial cushion for their future.
ABLE accountsavingsbenefits-safe
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: savewithable.com
This Medicaid waiver from MDHHS covers extra home and community-based services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, like community living supports, respite, and supported employment. You apply through your county Community Mental Health office.
Medicaid waiverHCBSrespite
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.michigan.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
A Michigan nonprofit serving families for 50 years with newsletters, information packets, and local resource connections focused on autism and self-advocacy. A friendly place to ask questions and feel less alone.
statewidefamily supportinformationadvocacy
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: autism-mi.org
A long-running nonprofit that pairs teen volunteers with children and adults with special needs for friendship, recreation, camps, and social programs. Scholarships are available and no family is turned away for inability to pay.
recreationsocial programscampscommunity
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.friendshipcircle.org
A federally funded center that keeps a searchable, county-by-county directory of Michigan support groups, respite care, and recreation programs for children with special health needs. It is a warm starting point when you are not sure where to turn.
statewidesupport groupsrespiterecreation
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: f2fmichigan.org

🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning

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

Michigan's leading autism nonprofit connects families to trusted attorneys and resources for guardianship, special needs trusts, estate planning, and Social Security benefits. Their team can help you find the right legal help for protecting your adult child's future.
guardianshipspecial needs trustlegalplanning
This state health page walks families through preparing for adult life, from moving into adult health care to planning for future needs as your child grows up. It's a gentle, practical guide for the years leading up to aging out.
transition to adulthoodhealth careplanningstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.michigan.gov
This statewide resource guides families through the move from school into adult life, explaining vocational rehab, community mental health, independent living centers, and other adult service agencies. It's a warm starting point when your child is transitioning out of special education.
transitionadult servicesaging outstatewide
This state council advocates for people with developmental disabilities and their families, offering education and connections to statewide programs that support independent, community-based adult living. It's a good place to understand your rights and the bigger system of long-term supports in Michigan.
developmental disabilityadvocacylong-term planningstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.michigan.gov
This state agency helps adults with disabilities, including autism, prepare for, find, and keep a job through counseling, training, job placement, and workplace supports. If your young adult is aging out and thinking about employment, MRS can build an individualized plan with them at no cost.
vocational rehabemploymentadultsstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.michigan.gov
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 →