Autism resources in
Ingham County.

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.

The public community mental health authority for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties offers in-home early intervention for families with infants, toddlers, and young children facing emotional or developmental challenges. They are also your local gateway to the Medicaid autism benefit.

If you have any worry about how your baby or toddler is growing, learning, or communicating, Early On offers a free developmental evaluation for children birth to age 3 right here in Ingham County. Anyone can make a referral, and if your child qualifies, services and support come to you at no cost.

The Michigan State University clinic in East Lansing offers autism spectrum assessments along with testing for attention, learning, and cognitive abilities. Their Autism Clinic team is specially trained in diagnosis and family-centered support.

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.

Your local intermediate school district guides Ingham County families through evaluations, IEPs, and dispute resolution, and its Parent Advisory Committee connects you with other parents and district staff. Their Parent's Guide to Special Education lays out your rights in plain language.

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.

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.

The public community mental health authority for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, with an autism support team that helps children and adults get diagnostic, clinical, and family services. This is the local starting point for Medicaid autism and developmental-disability supports right here in Ingham County.

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 nonprofit offers free civil legal help to lower-income families in Ingham County, including matters like benefits denials, special education, and guardianship. Their Lansing office serves your area directly, and you can apply by phone or 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.

CADSA was created by parents to support people with Down syndrome and their families across mid-Michigan through classes, social programs, and advocacy. It's a welcoming community if your child has Down syndrome or a related developmental difference.

A long-running East Lansing nonprofit that gives family caregivers a short break by providing trained staff who keep your loved one engaged, active, and safe. They serve Ingham County families caring for children and adults with disabilities.

Started by local parents and professionals in 2008, MMAA hosts free, all-ages, all-abilities community events like sensory-friendly afternoons and music programs across the Lansing area. It's a warm way to connect with other families and find local resources.

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 for adults with developmental disabilities and walks families through petition forms, annual reporting, and options like partial versus full guardianship. It's the official local place to start if you need legal decision-making authority once your child turns 18.

This long-established Lansing nonprofit provides vocational rehabilitation, job training, and paid employment for adults with disabilities and other barriers to work. It's a well-known local option for helping a young adult build work skills and find meaningful employment.