This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Charleston County, South Carolina. You'll find 15 local resources listed here, alongside South Carolina statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, South Carolina's starting point is BabyNet; 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.
BabyNet is South Carolina's free early intervention system for infants and toddlers under age 3 who have developmental delays or conditions that may cause them. Anyone can refer a child for a free evaluation, and if your little one qualifies, services like speech, occupational, and physical therapy are provided at no cost to your family.
The developmental-behavioral team at MUSC Children's Health in Charleston provides full autism spectrum evaluations and developmental assessments for children, drawing on developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and other specialists. They review your child's full history and use standardized testing to give you clear answers and next steps.
Autism Wonders at Prisma Health Children's Hospital in the Upstate offers coordinated, multidisciplinary autism diagnostic evaluations with developmental-behavioral pediatricians, psychologists, and nurses, plus follow-up care. It's a welcoming place to get a thorough evaluation and connect with ongoing support after a diagnosis.
The University of South Carolina's Psychology Services Center in Columbia offers comprehensive, affordable autism assessments using evidence-based tools like the ADOS, and provides families a written report with recommendations. A sliding-scale fee based on income makes an evaluation more accessible if cost is a worry.
PEIDS is a North Charleston early intervention agency that partners with BabyNet (ages 0-3) and DDSN to deliver individualized therapies right where your child learns and plays. Services are free to families whose children qualify.
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.
This is the official Protection and Advocacy organization for South Carolina, established under federal law to protect the rights of people with disabilities. They help families understand IDEA and Section 504, file complaints when schools fall short, and can provide legal advocacy so your child gets the services and accommodations they're owed.
As South Carolina's federally designated Parent Training and Information Center, Family Connection offers free one-on-one help understanding your child's IEP or 504 plan, and a trained parent partner can even attend school meetings with you. They serve families of children birth through 26 across all 46 counties.
The state office that oversees special education in South Carolina's public schools. Their site walks parents through dispute resolution, parental rights under IDEA, and how to get support if you disagree with your child's school.
The district office that runs special education, 504 plans, and Child Find for Charleston County schools, with a parent rights section and the Exceptional Children Parent Advisory Council (ECPAC) for families. This is your first stop for IEP questions within your child's own district.
A Charleston-based nonprofit that has helped Lowcountry families since 1999 with free parent training, one-on-one mentoring, and support at IEP meetings. Their Parent Training & Resource Center serves families across Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.
If you and your child's school don't agree on the IEP, the state offers free help: a neutral ombudsman, facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, and formal complaints. It's confidential and costs families nothing.
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.
Project Rex is the Medical University of South Carolina's autism program in Charleston, offering social-skills groups for children through adults, sibling support, parent support, and research opportunities. It's a warm, welcoming place staffed by doctors and therapists who focus on kids and young adults on the spectrum.
South Carolina's state autism division handles free eligibility evaluations for autism (ages 3 and up) and connects families to counseling, therapy, respite, and support services funded through Medicaid waivers. Call the toll-free line to start the eligibility screening process.
South Carolina Medicaid (SCDHHS) covers autism spectrum disorder services and keeps a current, downloadable list of Medicaid-enrolled autism providers, including ABA. If you have questions about coverage or finding a provider, the Provider Service Center can help point you in the right direction.
This statewide nonprofit offers a free Information and Referral service to help you find diagnosticians and evaluation providers, plus a Parent School Partnership Program with free Parent Mentors who guide families through IEPs, 504 plans, and special education. A caring first call when you're not sure where to start.
The local county agency that connects eligible children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities to services through SC's disabilities system, including case management, early support, and the Charles Webb developmental center. Their case managers help you figure out what you need.
MUSC's pediatric therapists provide occupational and physical therapy for children with autism, developmental delays, and sensory processing needs, with a clinic in North Charleston. A warm, experienced team for hands-on therapy close to home.
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.
Run by the SC State Treasurer's Office, this program lets people with disabilities save and invest money for daily expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other needs-based benefits. Anyone whose disability began before age 46 can open a tax-advantaged account.
South Carolina's disability agency helps eligible children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities access Medicaid home- and community-based waiver services like respite, behavior support, and in-home care. Call their intake line to start an eligibility screening at no cost.
This statewide program awards vouchers to eligible family caregivers so they can pay for a temporary break from hands-on caregiving. It prioritizes families with no other respite and those on waiting lists.
SSI provides monthly cash payments to children and adults with disabilities who have limited income and resources, and in most states it opens the door to Medicaid too. You can begin an application online or by calling Social Security to set up an appointment.
A Charleston-area nonprofit providing free civil legal advice and representation to low-income families, including public and veteran benefits matters. A good local first call if you need help sorting out a benefits or guardianship question.
South Carolina's state disability agency runs the Medicaid waivers that pay for in-home and community support for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. If your child isn't yet connected, you can start the process through the Services page and ask to be placed on a waiver waiting list.
Free civil legal help for lower-income families, including public benefits and income-maintenance issues like denied or terminated SSI. If you're facing a benefits problem you can't untangle alone, their statewide intake line can point you toward 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.
For over 30 years this parent-led nonprofit has matched families with trained parent volunteers who have walked a similar path, plus monthly support groups including autism-specific ones. As the state's Parent Training and Information Center, they serve all 46 counties free of charge.
Serving Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Bluffton, LAF offers free family support, monthly respite nights, swim lessons, social groups, and inclusive community events for families affected by autism. A staff representative provides a one-on-one road map to local resources.
Based in Lexington, the Unumb Center supports South Carolina families with a detailed resource guide, guidance on insurance and eligibility, and connections to community and family support organizations across the state. Their team can help you find your way to the right services.
A Charleston nonprofit that uses sport and the outdoors, from kayaking and cycling to wheelchair tennis and swimming, to build confidence and community for people with disabilities. It is a joyful way for kids and adults to stay active and connected.
The county parks system welcomes children and adults of all abilities, with sensory-inclusive parks, adaptive equipment, and program modifications you can request at registration. A great way to help your family enjoy the outdoors together.
A Charleston nonprofit built around parents helping parents, with free one-on-one mentoring, training workshops, and a resource library for families raising a child with a disability or special need. It is a warm first stop when you are not sure where to turn.
A Charleston program of the Medical University of South Carolina offering social and skill-building groups for children, teens, and adults on the spectrum, plus a sibling support group. It is a trusted, university-backed place to build friendships and practice social skills.
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.
A disability-led Center for Independent Living, Able SC helps youth and adults build independent-living skills, find accessible housing, prepare for employment, and advocate for themselves as they move into adult community life. Many of its programs serve families statewide.
South Carolina's state agency for lifelong disabilities helps adults with autism plan for life after school, including adult day programs, supported and supervised living, and Medicaid waiver services. Call the toll-free line to begin an eligibility screening for a person age 3 or older.
This state agency prepares and supports South Carolinians with disabilities to find and keep jobs, with career planning, skills training, job placement, and benefits counseling for those on SSI or SSDI. Services are offered at more than 30 offices across the state.
AccessAbility is the federally designated Center for Independent Living for Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, and it is disability-led. They offer daily-living skills training, employment advising, peer mentoring, and education and transition support to help your young adult move toward living as independently as possible.
South Carolina's developmental disabilities agency assigns regional transition coordinators to help families plan the move from school to adult life, including employment, college certificate programs, Medicaid waivers, and community-based supports. This is a good starting point when your child is aging out and you are not sure what comes next.
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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