Autism resources in
Lexington 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.

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.

This local First Steps partnership helps families in Lexington County with young children (before birth through age five) through home visits, family support, and connections to the services your child may need. They can be a warm first call if you have concerns about your child's development and aren't sure where to begin.

A hospital-based team of developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and social workers who evaluate children (ages 0-16) for autism, developmental delays, ADHD, and learning differences right here in Columbia. They are currently accepting new patients.

This is your local county board serving Lexington and Richland families, and their Step Ahead program offers free in-home early intervention for children birth to age six with developmental delays. They also have interventionists and case managers specifically trained to support families navigating an autism diagnosis.

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.

This respected Columbia nonprofit advocates for South Carolina families and offers free plain-language guides and trainings on special education, school enrollment, and discipline rights. They are a good place to turn when you want to understand what the law requires of your child's school.

A free program that pairs you with a Parent Mentor, another parent of an autistic child, to help you understand your special-education rights and build a working relationship with your child's school. It supports families in Lexington County school districts with IEP, 504, and discipline concerns.

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.

Based in downtown Lexington, they offer early intervention, speech therapy, and ABA for young children with autism and developmental delays. A convenient local option for Lexington County families seeking hands-on support.

A Lexington-based pediatric clinic providing speech-language, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy, often delivered in your child's natural settings like home or daycare. A warm choice for families needing OT, PT, or speech support alongside an autism journey.

This is the local government board that serves Richland County residents with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, connecting families to services through South Carolina's state disability system. They help build a comprehensive, individualized plan around your family's needs.

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.

South Carolina's Medicaid agency handles the health coverage and financial eligibility that unlock most disability services and waivers. Their member line can help you check eligibility and enroll your child.

This is South Carolina's state agency for autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and the gateway to Medicaid HCBS waivers that fund respite, therapies, and in-home support. One free phone call starts the eligibility process, and a coordinator walks your family through every step at no cost.

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.

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.

This is the local county board that supports children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities in Richland County, offering case management, early intervention, and residential and community programs. Their staff can help you understand what services your family qualifies for and how to get started.

Area 7 covers Lexington County and offers year-round sports training and friendly competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It's a warm, welcoming way for your child to make friends, stay active, and build confidence.

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.

A long-established Columbia nonprofit (since 1970) providing adults with lifelong disabilities day programs, supported employment, and residential options across Richland and Lexington counties. They can be a landing place when your child transitions out of the school system.