This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. You'll find 14 local resources listed here, alongside New Hampshire statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, New Hampshire's starting point is Family Centered Early Supports and Services; 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.
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.
A trustworthy, hospital-curated list of autism and behavioral-health providers right here in Rockingham County, each with a phone number so you can start calling. A helpful next step if you are looking for an evaluation or ongoing support close to home.
If your child under age three has, or might be at risk for, a developmental delay, this local team comes to your home to screen, evaluate, and support your family. They serve Rockingham County and the Seacoast, and there is no out-of-pocket cost to families.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One Sky is the state-designated Area Agency for the Rockingham County Seacoast, the local starting point for families seeking developmental-disability services, funding, and service coordination. Their team helps you navigate ABA, therapies, and supports for children ages 3 and up.
A community mental-health center with offices in Exeter and Portsmouth offering youth and family services, psychiatric care, and 24/7 crisis support for Rockingham County families. A good local option when behavioral or emotional support is needed alongside autism care.
Birchtree is a Portsmouth-based nonprofit and the only NH Department of Education-approved day school serving children with autism exclusively, offering intensive year-round ABA. Their outreach team also brings behavior consultation into homes and public schools across the region.
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.
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.
ServiceLink is New Hampshire's free Aging and Disability Resource Center, and their Rockingham County staff will sit down with you to sort out Medicaid, benefits, and long-term supports. Options counselors are specially trained to walk families through the Medicaid application step by step, and there are no income limits to get help.
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.
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.
Community Crossroads is the state-designated area agency for southern Rockingham County, serving families in Derry, Salem, Windham, Atkinson, Plaistow and six other towns from birth through adulthood. Their family support program can help you access respite, early intervention, advocacy, and day services close to home.
The Town of Londonderry's Recreation Department runs inclusive Unified sports like Top Soccer and kickball that pair children of all abilities with peer mentors in a welcoming, team setting. Reach out to sign up or to ask about accommodations for your child's needs.
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.
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.
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 Crossroads is the state-designated area agency serving southern Rockingham towns like Salem, Derry, Windham, Plaistow, and Hampstead, helping adults find meaningful work, day activities, and living options. They walk families through the transition from school-age services into adult long-term supports.
ELO is a New Hampshire nonprofit that helps families plan for a loved one's future through special needs trusts, guardianship guidance, and long-term life planning. They are a good place to start when you're thinking about protecting benefits and putting a plan in place for when you're no longer able to provide care.
This state agency helps people with disabilities, including autistic young adults, prepare for and keep meaningful jobs, and it partners on the transition from school to work. You can reach out directly starting as early as age 14 without going through a school.
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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