Autism resources in
Platte 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.

Children's Nebraska brings together developmental pediatrics and behavioral health experts for comprehensive autism evaluations, then helps connect your family to community resources and support. A physician referral is needed to get started.

This clinic at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute, in partnership with Children's Nebraska, offers a thorough team evaluation for children who may have autism, including behavioral, genetic, developmental, and speech assessments. Your child will need a physician referral to be seen.

Nebraska ChildFind helps families of children from birth through age 21 who have concerns about learning, speaking, hearing, seeing, moving, or development get a free evaluation and connect to services. One phone call is all it takes to start.

If you're worried your baby or toddler isn't developing the way you expected, Nebraska's free early intervention program can evaluate your child (birth to age 3) and connect your family to the right services. It's voluntary, has no income limits, and anyone can make a referral.

This is the local front door for early intervention in Platte County, for children birth to age three who may have developmental delays or health needs. Their team helps set up free evaluations and coordinates speech, occupational, and physical therapy right here in Columbus.

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.

Nebraska's official protection and advocacy organization defends the legal rights of people with disabilities, including students in special education. Their Inclusive Education Lay Advocacy Program trains advocates to stand beside your family and help secure the education your child deserves.

The state's special education office offers plain-language family guides, your official parental rights (procedural safeguards) in several languages, and information on IEP facilitation, mediation, and filing a complaint if things go wrong. It's the authoritative source for how special education works in Nebraska.

Nebraska's federally funded Parent Training and Information center helps you understand your child's special education rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and navigate services from birth through age 26. Support, workshops, and one-on-one help are always free and open to any Nebraska family.

Your local public school district's student services team oversees special education, IEPs, and autism support for Columbus-area students up to age 21. Reach out to their Director of Special Education with questions about evaluations, services, or your rights as a parent.

Based right in Columbus, ESU 7 partners with local school districts to provide special education support, evaluations, and programs for children with disabilities across Platte County. Their staff can help you understand your child's IEP and the services available to them.

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.

Part of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, this center offers autism diagnostic evaluations, ABA therapy, early intervention, and speech and occupational therapy for children across the state. Their Autism Diagnostic Clinic evaluates children from 16 months through late adolescence.

A statewide directory, funded by Nebraska Health & Human Services and run by the University of Nebraska, that helps families find local providers for autism and developmental-disability services, therapy, and other supports. You can search online or call to be pointed toward the right programs near you.

A dedicated ABA clinic located in Columbus, offering one-on-one applied behavior analysis, social-skill building, and behavior support in a space built for kids. A local option for families looking for center-based autism therapy close to home.

Your local hospital runs a pediatric therapy program right in Columbus, offering occupational, physical, and speech therapy for children in a warm, play-based setting. It's a close-to-home option for kids who need OT, PT, or speech support.

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.

Nebraska's ABLE program lets you open a tax-advantaged savings account for your child with a disability without risking their SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. It's administered by the Nebraska State Treasurer and can be used for a wide range of disability-related expenses.

If you're caring for a child or family member with special needs, this state program can help pay for respite so you can take a much-needed break. Eligible unpaid caregivers can receive up to $125 a month, with additional funding possible in exceptional circumstances.

Nebraska's Medicaid waivers help cover services like respite, residential support, and daytime community programs so your child with a developmental disability can be supported at home instead of an institution. The Family Support Waiver serves children from birth to 21, and staff can walk you through applying and eligibility.

Free legal help for lower-income Nebraska families, including securing and keeping benefits like SSI, Social Security, and Medicaid. Call the AccessLine to see if you qualify and get connected with an advocate; the Omaha office serves Douglas County.

This state program provides a monthly payment and medical coverage to Nebraskans determined to be blind or disabled, including some who were denied SSI. It can also help with items like guardian or conservator fees, home repairs, and furniture.

A free legal helpline for Nebraskans age 60 and older, useful for aging parents navigating guardianship, benefits, or long-term planning for an adult child with a disability. Run by Legal Aid of Nebraska.

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.

Nebraska's oldest autism nonprofit runs free, peer-to-peer support groups in several cities across the state where parents and family members can connect with others who understand. Their toll-free warm line is answered regularly for anyone with questions about living with autism in Nebraska.

This University of Nebraska Medical Center program offers recreation and social opportunities for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, including an inclusive summer day camp and an adult Autism Social Club. It's a warm way for your child to build friendships and lifelong leisure skills.

A Nebraska DHHS program that helps family caregivers find and pay for respite, giving you a short, needed break from the demands of ongoing care. A coordinator can connect you with respite providers in your area and answer questions about funding.

A local hub that gathers Columbus and Platte County disability resources in one place, from therapy and early intervention to recreation and family support. A helpful map when you are not sure where to start.

A Northeast Nebraska provider with a Columbus office offering respite, community inclusion, and day services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Respite can give your family a needed break while your loved one is well cared for.

A local chapter run by and for families in Columbus, offering respite days, a Summer Friends recreation camp, and chances for parents raising kids with disabilities to connect with one another. A warm first call when you want people close to home who understand.

Nebraska's official ABLE savings program lets people with disabilities that began before age 26 save money for disability-related expenses without risking their Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid benefits. It's a simple, tax-advantaged tool for long-term financial planning.

The state agency that oversees adult day services, employment supports, and residential services for Nebraskans with developmental disabilities through Medicaid waivers. This is the office to contact about transitioning from school-based services to adult supports as your child ages out.

A program within the Nebraska Judicial Branch that serves as guardian or conservator for adults when no family member or alternative is available, and offers education and training for family and volunteer guardians. A helpful place to learn about guardianship as your child approaches adulthood.

Nebraska's state vocational rehabilitation program helps people with disabilities, including autism and developmental disabilities, prepare for, find, and keep jobs. They also offer Pre-Employment Transition Services that work with students and families to plan for careers as your child moves toward adult life.

This is the state's employment program for people with disabilities, and the Columbus office serves Platte County directly. They help your adult child prepare for, find, and keep a job with one-on-one coaching and a personalized employment plan.