This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Macomb County, Michigan. You'll find 17 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.
If you're worried about how your baby or toddler is growing, Early On offers free evaluations and in-home support for Macomb County children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays. A caring team helps with speech, motor skills, and learning, woven right into your everyday routines.
MCCMH is the county's public mental health authority, offering autism services and support for children and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You can call their access line for a walk-in screening and to get connected with the right services.
The Macomb Intermediate School District's Assessment Center provides free developmental evaluations for local infants and toddlers, and its Child Find program helps identify children who may need extra support. It's a trusted first step when you want answers about your child's development.
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.
Macomb County's own intermediate school district runs special education services birth through age 26 and a Parent Advisory Committee where families learn their rights and get help securing IEP services. Their parent hotline connects you with other Macomb parents who have walked this road.
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.
A hospital-based team of psychologists, developmental pediatricians, and speech-language pathologists who provide in-depth autism evaluations and therapies for children across Southeast Michigan. They offer individualized assessments with clear, practical recommendations for your child.
A Joint Commission-accredited hospital in New Baltimore offering specialized inpatient care for children ages 4 to 17 with autism and developmental disorders who are in crisis. They accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance, and operate around the clock.
Your county's public mental health agency offers autism screening, diagnostic evaluations, and evidence-based ABA therapy for children, with case managers who help you navigate intake and insurance. Services are available regardless of income, and the ASD benefit is covered for children with Medicaid.
A local autism resource hub from the Macomb Intermediate School District that explains diagnosis, treatment, and insurance, and points families to trusted county programs like the MCCMH Access Center and social groups. A gentle starting place if you are newly navigating an autism diagnosis.
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.
Lakeshore Legal Aid offers free civil legal help to lower-income families and seniors in Oakland County, including public benefits, guardianships, and individual rights. Their intake line can connect you with an attorney at no cost.
This county health department program helps families of children with qualifying conditions handle the costs of care, including medical bills, co-pays, deductibles, and transportation. Staff also help you apply and coordinate with your health plan.
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.
This local nonprofit runs a Parent Peer Support Group along with teen, adult, and social clubs, plus sensory-friendly events for families across Wayne County. It's a warm, welcoming place to connect with other parents who get it.
The county's Move More Macomb program gathers inclusive, adaptive recreation options across Macomb, from adaptive fitness to sports leagues and social activities. A friendly starting point for finding fun, welcoming ways for your child to stay active.
Based in Rochester, OUCARES runs affordable, inclusive recreation, social, and family programs for autistic kids and adults, including sports, art, summer camps, and Family Fun Day events. It's a welcoming, local place to help your child play, connect, and grow.
Maintained by the Macomb Intermediate School District, this local directory helps families connect to community, health, and disability-related resources across the county. A helpful map when you are not sure where to turn next.
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 for developmentally disabled adults, and this page walks you through the forms, evaluations, and filing steps (there is no filing fee). Helpful as your child approaches age 18.
MORC is a long-established nonprofit that coordinates Medicaid-funded, long-term supports for adults with developmental disabilities, covering living arrangements, daily skills, employment, and community life. It has served Macomb families since 1972.
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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