In New Jersey, autism services for young children start with the New Jersey Early Intervention System, New Jersey's Part C early intervention program for children under three, run through the Department of Health. For school-age children, special education and IEPs are handled by your local school district. Longer-term supports run through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (the Community Care and Supports programs). The resources below cover statewide programs plus local providers in each county.
Free webinars & trainings for New Jersey autism families, happening all year.
See upcoming events →Choose your county
Local providers and support groups, county by county.
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.
A free helpline staffed by specialists who help you find autism evaluations, services, and support anywhere in New Jersey. If you're not sure where to start, they'll listen to your situation and point you to the right next step.
A statewide hospital program offering autism screening, diagnostic evaluations, and early intervention across its New Jersey sites. Trained providers assess how your child plays, communicates, and interacts, and connect you with speech, occupational, and psychology services as needed.
State-funded Child Evaluation Centers providing comprehensive developmental and autism evaluations for children from birth through adolescence. Their teams use structured observations and standardized testing to give families clear answers and a path forward.
An autism diagnostic center in southern New Jersey offering formal evaluations and in-person testing for children ages 4 and up, plus adolescents and adults. After testing, they provide individualized recommendations and help connecting you to community resources.
New Jersey's free statewide program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. Call the statewide referral line and a service coordinator will talk through your concerns and set up evaluations at no cost to your family.
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.
ACNJ's staff attorneys offer a plain-language Basic Guide to Special Education and limited personal help for NJ parents with questions about their child's IEP and school services. Their special education specialist provides bilingual (English/Spanish) assistance.
Based in Newark, the Education Law Center works to make sure students with disabilities receive the full range of services they're owed under IDEA, offering know-your-rights guides and pro bono legal help. Their guide 'The Right to Special Education in New Jersey' is available free in English and Spanish.
The state's Office of Special Education explains your parental rights under IDEA and offers a Special Education Ombudsman and Family Support Specialist who can answer questions and help resolve disputes with your school district. It's the official place to file a complaint or request mediation.
SPAN is New Jersey's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, where staff help you understand your child's special education rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and connect with other parents. Their support and resources are free for NJ families.
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.
The state's official starting point for connecting your child with autism to therapy, care management, and developmental services at every age. It links you to PerformCare for behavioral care, Project Child Find for evaluations, and other state programs.
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.
LSNJ provides free civil legal help to lower-income New Jerseyans, including appeals for SSI and disability benefits, Medicaid coverage, and other public-benefit problems. One free statewide hotline connects you to help near you.
NJ ABLE lets people with disabilities save and invest money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits, with tax-free growth. It's run by the state's Division of Disability Services, and you can open an account by phone or online.
New Jersey's DDD runs two Medicaid home- and community-based waiver programs that fund supports like day services, respite, and in-home help based on your loved one's assessed needs. Call the Division to ask about eligibility and how to get started.
This state program gives family caregivers a short-term or periodic break from the daily demands of caring for a loved one, with fees on a sliding scale based on income. Call the Aging & Disability Resource Connection to reach the program in your county.
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 statewide nonprofit and the go-to hub for New Jersey autism families, offering a free helpline that connects you to services, referrals, support groups, and answers to your questions. Their team can point you toward local resources and community programs no matter where in NJ you live.
A New Jersey 501(c)(3) that supports families touched by autism and developmental disabilities through over 30 statewide programs, including weekend respite getaways and community inclusion outings. They also help families navigate services and connect with others facing similar journeys.
The state agency that funds and coordinates services for New Jersey residents with developmental disabilities, including respite, family support, and home- and community-based supports. Their staff can help you understand eligibility and apply for the services your family needs.
A New Jersey nonprofit that runs a monthly parent support group plus hundreds of free recreation events, dances, and family gatherings across the state each year. It's a warm place to meet other autism parents and give your child fun, welcoming activities.
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.
DVRS helps your teen or adult with a disability find and keep a job, offering career counseling, job coaching, supported employment, and pre-employment transition services for students starting at age 14. All services are provided at no cost to you.
PLAN|NJ helps families answer the hardest question, who will care for my child when I'm gone. They administer special needs trusts, offer life-planning consultations, and provide guardianship and care coordination so your loved one stays secure long after you.
New Jersey's university center on disability offers a clear, parent-friendly timeline that maps out what to plan and when as your child moves toward adult life, from guardianship decisions to state agency services. Available free in English and Spanish.
Common questions about autism services in New Jersey
How do I get an autism evaluation for my child in New Jersey?
Start with your pediatrician for a referral. For children under three, contact the New Jersey Early Intervention System for a free developmental evaluation. For school-age children, submit a written request to your school district for a special education evaluation.
What is the New Jersey Early Intervention System?
The New Jersey Early Intervention System is New Jersey's early intervention program for children under three with developmental delays or disabilities, including autism. It provides evaluations and services, with many at no cost to families.
Are autism services free in New Jersey?
Special education through your school district is free, and early intervention evaluations are free, with many services at no cost, though some states use a sliding-scale fee. Medicaid and private insurance cover many therapies.
My child is over three. Where do I start in New Jersey?
Contact your school district to request a special education evaluation and an IEP. New Jersey's developmental disabilities agency can also connect you to longer-term supports and any Medicaid waivers.
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.
Spot something out of date? Suggest or report a resource →