This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Genesee County, Michigan. You'll find 18 local resources listed here, alongside Michigan statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Michigan's starting point is Early On; 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Free early intervention for babies and toddlers birth to three with developmental delays or disabilities, including developmental assessments and family service coordination. Any parent worried about their child's development can call directly to start.
Genesee County's public mental health agency provides autism diagnostic assessments for children under 21 with Medicaid, helping families understand their child's needs and next steps. The evaluation includes a parent interview, testing with the child, and a feedback session with recommendations.
Hurley's Flint-based pediatric psychology team evaluates children from 16 months to 18 years for autism, looking at how they talk, play, and connect. Families receive a clear diagnosis and a plan for therapies, school support, and community resources.
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 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.
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.
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.
This is the county office that runs and coordinates special education programs for every school district in Genesee County, and their staff can help you understand your child's services, placement, and the IEP process. They also host a Parent Advisory Committee where families have a voice in how services are delivered.
This nonprofit helps Michigan families make sure every student gets the support they need, including requesting evaluations and navigating IEPs, 504 plans, and discipline issues. Parents anywhere in the state, including Wayne County, can call their free helpline for guidance.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Genesee County's public mental health provider offers autism and developmental assessments, ABA, and neuropsychological evaluations for local children right here in Flint. If your child has Medicaid and lives in the county, this is a trusted first stop for diagnosis and treatment.
The county's intermediate school district provides free special education and Autism Spectrum Disorder classroom programs for young children ages 2.5 through 8 across all Genesee County districts. It's a welcoming starting point if you're seeking early support for your child.
A long-established Michigan nonprofit offering ABA therapy, diagnostic evaluations, and family training for children with autism, with a location serving Flint and Genesee County. They work with Medicaid families and focus on individualized, whole-child support.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is Genesee County's public provider for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and it is your local doorway to Medicaid waivers like the Habilitation Supports and Children's Waivers, respite funding, and family support. Call their access line and they can walk you through what your child qualifies for.
This nonprofit offers free civil legal help to lower-income families right here in Genesee County, including special education, benefits, and disability-related issues. If you are fighting for services your child is owed, their Flint office can help.
SSI is a monthly federal payment for children and adults with disabilities and limited income, and this official government page explains who qualifies and how to apply. It is a foundational benefit worth checking even if you are unsure your family will qualify.
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 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.
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.
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.
A Burton-based nonprofit (formerly the Autism Support & Resource Center) offering social events, recreation, life skills classes, and summer camp for people living with autism across the lifespan. A friendly community built around belonging and fun.
A Flint-based nonprofit serving Genesee County with respite care that gives caregivers a needed break, plus community-inclusion and living support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reach out to ask about respite for your family.
A nonprofit center for independent living serving Genesee County, offering peer support, advocacy, recreation and fitness classes, and help navigating resources. A welcoming place to connect with others and build confidence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The county Probate Court handles guardianship and conservatorship for adults with developmental disabilities, and can point families toward less-restrictive alternatives like powers of attorney. This is where you file when a loved one needs help making decisions after turning 18.
As Genesee County's public community mental health agency, GHS provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ongoing supports like case management, community living supports, and supported employment. This is the county's main door for long-term adult day and employment services.
Genesee Intermediate School District helps students with disabilities plan the move from school to adult life, with career exploration, employment programs, and options like Project SEARCH for young adults with IDD. A key resource as your child approaches aging out of special education.
This local Center for Independent Living has helped Genesee County residents with disabilities live independently since 1992, offering independent living skills, transition support, peer support, and advocacy. A warm first stop as your young adult moves toward more independence.
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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