This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Marion County, Oregon. You'll find 13 local resources listed here, alongside Oregon statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Oregon's starting point is Oregon's early intervention program; 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.
FACT Oregon's peer-led support team is made up of parents who have been there, and they can walk you through early intervention, evaluations, special education, and developmental disability services. Spanish-language help is available and the line is free to call.
Run by the Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs at OHSU, ACCESS builds local teams that coordinate medical and educational experts to diagnose autism in young children closer to home. It helps families in many Oregon counties avoid long waits at distant clinics.
OHSU's autism team gives comprehensive evaluations for children and helps figure out whether an autism diagnosis fits, then connects your family to support services. It's the largest autism clinic in Oregon, with locations in Portland and Eugene (a doctor's referral is needed to get started).
Oregon's statewide EI/ECSE system provides free evaluations and support for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers (birth to age 5) with developmental delays or disabilities, including autism. You can start with a free developmental screening and find out who to call to refer your child.
Oregon's Office of Developmental Disabilities Services helps children and families access developmental disability supports through their local Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP). Your county's CDDP determines eligibility and guides you through the paperwork and planning at no cost.
This is the local team that provides free developmental evaluations for Marion County children from birth to kindergarten. If you're worried your baby, toddler, or preschooler is developing differently, you can call for a screening and evaluation at no cost.
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.
Disability Rights Oregon is the state's federally designated protection and advocacy organization, offering free, legally based help with special education, early intervention, and school discipline through its Children's Rights Project. Reach out if your child's disability rights at school are being denied.
FACT Oregon is Oregon's statewide Parent Training and Information Center, with a free support line staffed by parents who help you understand IEPs, special education rights, and disability services. They also offer free trainings and toolkits to help you advocate for your child.
When you disagree with your child's school over an evaluation, IEP, or placement, this state agency offers free options like mediation, IEP facilitation, formal complaints, and due process hearings. Staff can walk you through your rights and next steps.
Based at OHSU and staffed by parents of children with special health needs, this center offers free one-to-one support, trainings, and guides on IEPs, 504 plans, and educational advocacy. It's a warm place to start when you're figuring out school services for a child with a health condition or disability.
This is Oregon's state office overseeing special education, and their parent pages walk you through your IEP rights, procedural safeguards, and how to file a complaint or ask for mediation if your child's school isn't following the plan. A good place to start when you want to know exactly what the law says.
The special education department for the Salem-Keizer school district, with IEP teams, autism specialists, and Child Find evaluations for students ages 5 to 21. Reach out here to start an evaluation or get help with your child's IEP at their neighborhood school.
The regional education service district for Marion County, providing special education support, autism services, and early intervention directly to families and their local school districts. A good first call if you want help understanding your child's evaluation or IEP.
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.
This statewide nonprofit keeps a searchable, map-based directory of Oregon ABA, speech, occupational, physical, music and other therapy providers so you can find help near you. Their team can also answer questions and point you toward the right services.
Oregon's state I/DD office funds long-term supports for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, including in-home services, employment help, and crisis support through your local county program. Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection to find your county office and start an application.
A BCBA-led ABA therapy clinic based in Salem, offering evidence-based, individualized support for children with autism. Their team includes board-certified behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians.
Salem Health's hospital-based pediatric rehab team provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children on the autism spectrum, using play-based and sensory-integration approaches right here in Marion County. Ask your child's doctor for a referral to get started.
A well-established Salem clinic providing speech and occupational therapy for children, including many families raising kids on the autism spectrum. They see patients in-clinic or online, Monday through Friday.
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.
A state Treasury-run savings account that lets your family set aside money for disability-related expenses tax-free without risking SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. As of 2026 anyone whose disability began before age 46 can open one, and you can start in about 10 minutes.
Through Oregon's Aging and Disability Resource Connection, family caregivers can get respite care to take a needed break, plus counseling, support groups, and help finding local resources. Call the ADRC to see what support you qualify for.
This is Oregon's main door to Medicaid-funded, long-term supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including in-home care, respite, and community services so your child can stay at home. Start by connecting with your local Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) through ODDS.
This office gives free legal advice and representation to lower-income families in Marion and Polk counties, including help with Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan, SNAP, and SSI overpayment or termination problems. Spanish-speaking staff are available and they take new clients by phone or in person.
This is your local Salem-based front door for Medicaid I/DD services, including the Comprehensive Waiver and K Plan that fund supports for your child. A service coordinator helps you check eligibility, set goals, and connect with providers, at no cost to your family.
This plain-language federal guide explains the difference between SSI and SSDI and who qualifies, which matters for children and adults with disabilities who may be eligible for monthly income support. It walks you through how to apply and where 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.
Oregon's statewide autism nonprofit runs free online and in-person support groups for parents, caregivers, autistic adults, and kids, including a Spanish-language parent group and monthly parent discussion meetings. They also offer the "Take a Break on ASO" respite program, which gives caregivers restaurant and movie gift cards plus paid respite care so you can rest.
The state autism chapter runs free parent and caregiver support groups serving the Salem and Marion County area, including online groups, a Spanish-language grupo de apoyo, and an in-person Salem meetup. It is a warm place to connect with other families who understand.
This nonprofit runs a free Parent Warmline staffed by people who have raised children with disabilities and behavioral health needs, offering a listening ear and connections to Marion County resources. You do not have to be in crisis to call, and support is available in the daytime by phone, chat, or email.
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.
The ADRC is a free, statewide help line where trained staff talk through your situation and connect you to adult day programs, in-home support, and other long-term services. It's an easy first call when you're not sure where to start with adult or aging-out planning.
Oregon's Office of Developmental Disabilities Services helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities explore careers, get job coaching, and find real work in the community through the state's Employment First approach. It's a good starting point when your young adult is aging out of school and thinking about work.
OSNT is Oregon's long-running pooled special needs trust, giving families an affordable way to set aside money for a loved one with a disability without risking their Medicaid, SSI, or other benefits. It's a trusted option for long-term financial planning when you're worried about what happens after you're gone.
A nonprofit support services brokerage serving Marion County that helps adults with developmental disabilities direct their own supports, from budgeting and job coaching to respite for caregivers. A personal agent works alongside your family to build a plan around what your loved one actually wants.
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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