Autism resources in
Merrimack 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.

Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Services (BANDS) brings together child psychiatrists, developmental pediatricians, and neuropsychologists who evaluate and diagnose autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Ask your child's doctor for a referral to their Lebanon or Manchester clinic.

A long-established nonprofit provider of New Hampshire's early-intervention program, offering free evaluations and in-home or clinic therapies for babies and toddlers from birth to age three across Greater Manchester and Greater Salem. There is never an out-of-pocket cost to families.

This Dartmouth Health Children's clinic provides in-depth developmental and behavioral evaluations, including for autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays. A team reviews your child's records, examines your child, and helps build a plan with your family.

This is New Hampshire's free statewide early-intervention program for children birth to age three who have or are at risk for a developmental delay. Anyone can make a referral, evaluations happen right in your home, and there is no cost to your family.

Community Bridges is the local area agency for Merrimack County, and their Early Supports and Services team provides free developmental evaluations and in-home early intervention for children from birth to age 3. If you have any worry about how your little one is growing, moving, or communicating, you can reach out directly and no doctor's referral is needed.

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.

DRC-NH is New Hampshire's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, and you can speak with an attorney free of charge about your child's education rights. They provide information, advice, and legal representation on special education, IEPs, 504 plans, school discipline, and restraint and seclusion.

NH Family Voices offers free, confidential help from trained parents who have raised children with disabilities and special health care needs. They can walk you through navigating school, health, and human services systems and connect you with resources and other families.

PIC is New Hampshire's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, helping families understand special education and take part as full partners in the IEP process. Their staff offer free information, trainings, and one-on-one guidance for parents of children with disabilities from birth to age 26.

If you and your school district disagree about your child's services, the state offers free options like IEP facilitation, neutral conferences, mediation, and formal complaints. Their Dispute Resolution Office can explain each path and help you choose the right one.

This state office helps New Hampshire parents navigate special education, from understanding your child's rights to attending IEP meetings and guiding you through disputes when you feel your child's needs aren't being met. You can reach out for one-on-one support at any stage of the journey.

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.

New Hampshire's state system connects families to therapies, supports, and services through 10 regional Area Agencies for anyone with autism or a developmental disability. This is the official starting point to find your local agency and see what services your child qualifies for.

This long-running New Hampshire nonprofit keeps a searchable directory of ABA, speech, and behavioral therapy providers across the state, and offers free help navigating services. Their family navigators can talk you through your options at no cost.

This Concord clinic offers ABA, speech, occupational, and feeding therapy along with diagnostic evaluations, all under one roof right in Merrimack County. It is a good option if you want several of your child's therapies coordinated in one place.

Community Bridges is the state-designated area agency for Merrimack County, connecting children and adults with developmental disabilities or autism to therapies, service coordination, and Early Supports & Services for ages 0-3. Their intake team can help you figure out what your child qualifies for and how to get started.

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.

New Hampshire's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal advice and representation to people with disabilities on issues like Medicaid, home and community-based services, education, and benefits. Any New Hampshire resident with a disability can reach out for help.

New Hampshire's Bureau of Developmental Services offers Medicaid waivers, including an In-Home Supports waiver for children with developmental disabilities, that fund services like respite, personal care, and family supports so your child can thrive at home. Services are arranged through your regional area agency.

Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments to children with disabilities in families with limited income and resources, and in most states qualifying children also get Medicaid. You can start the application online or by calling to set up an appointment.

A tax-advantaged savings and investment account that lets your child (or you) set money aside for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid eligibility. It's easy to open online, and the plan team can walk you through it by phone.

603 Legal Aid offers free civil legal help to lower-income New Hampshire families, including problems with public benefits like SSI, Social Security disability, and Medicaid. If a benefit is denied or cut off, their staff can advise you and help you appeal.

New Hampshire Legal Assistance offers free civil legal help to lower-income families, including cases where Medicaid, SSI, or disability benefits were wrongly denied or cut off. They can advise you or represent you at appeals at no cost.

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.

Serving NH families since 1936, Easterseals runs Camp Sno-Mo and other recreation for youth with disabilities, plus autism services, early supports, and family resources. It is a welcoming place to find both fun for your child and practical help for your family.

The Autism Center offers New Hampshire families one-on-one consultations, parent education, playgroups, and adaptive recreation like tennis, all in a warm environment built to help you advocate for your child. Families with a new diagnosis are especially welcome.

Created by the New Hampshire Legislature, this state council coordinates leadership on the healthcare, education, and service needs of people with autism and related disabilities across NH. It is a good starting point for understanding state-level autism efforts and connecting to services.

New Hampshire Family Voices is a family-to-family health information center staffed by parents who have raised children with special health care needs and disabilities, so the person helping you has walked a similar road. They offer free resource navigation, a lending library, training, and peer support groups for families from birth through age 26.

Riverbend serves families throughout Merrimack County from offices in Concord and Franklin, with children's services that include autism support, social skills groups, and support for parents. Walk-in intake is available if you need to get started.

Based in Concord, Special Olympics New Hampshire offers year-round sports training and friendly competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to families. It is a welcoming way for your child to build confidence, fitness, and friendships.

As New Hampshire's federally designated disability protection and advocacy agency, DRC-NH offers free legal help on guardianship and its alternatives, including Supported Decision-Making, which lets your adult child keep the right to make their own choices with trusted people helping. You can call and speak with an attorney at no cost.

This New Hampshire nonprofit sets up and manages pooled special needs trusts, a way to hold money for your loved one without disqualifying them from SSI or Medicaid. They handle both family-funded (third-party) and beneficiary-funded trusts, making long-term financial planning far less overwhelming.

New Hampshire's state vocational rehabilitation agency helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep meaningful jobs, with dedicated transition services for youth moving from school into adult work and community life. They also offer benefits counseling so your young adult can work without losing SSI or Medicaid.

Community Bridges is the state-designated area agency serving Merrimack County, and its adult case management team helps your son or daughter plan for life after school with Medicaid waiver services, employment supports, and residential options. Call them to get connected to a family-directed support coordinator in Concord.

When an adult child cannot safely make all their own medical or financial decisions, this long-established NH nonprofit provides guardianship and advocacy services statewide. They can help families understand guardianship options for a loved one with a developmental disability.