This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Rutherford County, Tennessee. You'll find 13 local resources listed here, alongside Tennessee statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Tennessee's starting point is the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS); 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.
This state council, attached to the Department of Disability and Aging, helps shape Tennessee's system of care for people on the autism spectrum and their families, from early intervention and healthcare to adulthood. It's a good starting point for understanding state autism programs and connecting to help.
TEIS is Tennessee's free, statewide program that provides developmental evaluations and early intervention services (like speech, occupational, and physical therapy) for babies and young children with delays or disabilities. Anyone can make a referral, and a TEIS evaluator will reach out to set up your child's evaluation at no cost.
Based in Memphis, this university center offers interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluations for children suspected of having autism or other developmental disabilities. Their team assesses each child's needs and helps families understand next steps.
TRIAD at Vanderbilt provides comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for children up to age 18, along with parent training and support. As one of the nation's leading autism centers, they also offer telehealth evaluations to reach families across Tennessee.
This Murfreesboro center provides autism diagnostic assessments along with ABA, speech, and occupational therapy, so early identification and support can happen close to home. Call ahead to confirm current diagnostic availability at this location.
This Middle Tennessee State University program brings free developmental therapy right into the homes of Rutherford County children from birth to age 3 who qualify through TEIS. It's a warm, local option delivered in your child's everyday environment.
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 Tennessee is the state's official protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal help when a child's rights are violated, including special education, IEP and 504 plan implementation, and behavior interventions at school. They serve families in all 95 counties.
Family Voices of Tennessee, a program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, connects parents of children with disabilities to peer mentors who have walked the same path and can help you navigate school systems and advocate for your child. They offer guidance, resources, and a caring community.
The state's Department of Education special education page gathers official guidance on IEPs, evaluation and eligibility, parental rights like prior written notice, and how to resolve disagreements with your school. It's a helpful reference when you want to know what the state requires.
TNSTEP is Tennessee's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, and their staff will help you understand your child's special education rights and prepare for IEP and 504 meetings. All of their support, training, and one-on-one guidance is free for families across the state.
A program of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, Family Voices connects Nashville-area families to trusted training and guidance on special education rights, IEPs, and school transitions. It's a warm starting point when you're not sure where to turn.
This state office handles special education dispute resolution, IEP procedural safeguards, and formal complaints when a school district isn't meeting its obligations under federal law. It's the place to turn if you need to file a state complaint or understand the due-process options available to your family.
A statewide nonprofit that pairs parents with a local advocate to help them understand their rights and take an active role in building an IEP that works for their child. An advocate in your area follows up after you reach out.
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.
A free, multilingual statewide helpline run by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center that helps families find autism diagnostic services, therapy providers, and community programs near them. Now the home of Vanderbilt's former Autism Resource Line, staff can help you navigate next steps in English, Spanish, and other languages.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center provides comprehensive speech-language evaluations, individual therapy, and parent training for children with autism, plus birth-to-three early intervention. A university clinic focused on language development and social-communication skills.
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 savings and investment program that lets Tennesseans with disabilities set aside money tax-free for things like housing, therapy, transportation, and education without losing SSI or Medicaid. Opening an account is a simple way to plan for your child's future while keeping the benefits you already rely on.
Tennessee's Medicaid (TennCare) waiver for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, that helps with employment, personal assistance, respite, and living independently in the community. Your regional Department of Disability and Aging office can help you complete a self-referral.
A TennCare program for children under 18 with significant disabilities or complex medical needs whose families don't qualify for Medicaid because of income. It can provide full Medicaid benefits or up to $10,000 a year in flexible services like respite and supportive care, so your child can be cared for at home.
A state-funded program that helps families caring for a loved one with a severe disability at home, offering up to $6,000 a year toward respite care, equipment, home modifications, and other supports. Local agencies across all 95 counties can walk you through applying, and there's no cost to families.
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.
This East Tennessee chapter builds connection and belonging through inclusive social events, its Social Scene program, education, and family resources. A warm place to meet other families and find community.
Tennessee's leading autism nonprofit offers a free HELPline plus family support and social groups, including a dads group, a sibling group, and a Spanish-language Familias Latinas group. Reach out for one-on-one guidance and a welcoming community.
Serving Southeast Tennessee, this center promotes inclusion and acceptance while offering therapy, education, music programs, and community resources for autistic individuals and their families. A welcoming local hub in the Chattanooga area.
This statewide coalition helps family caregivers take a much-needed break through its Respite Voucher Program, which reimburses respite care for loved ones of any age or disability. Call their helpline to learn what support is available.
Vanderbilt's autism institute offers free Families First workshops for caregivers of young children, online caregiver training, and printable tip sheets. A trusted university source for practical, evidence-based family support.
The City of Murfreesboro runs inclusive team and individual sports for kids and adults of every ability level, and it's the local home of Special Olympics Rutherford County (Area 16). It's a warm, welcoming place for your child to make friends, build confidence, and just have fun.
A City of Murfreesboro program with a custom rubberized field where children and adults with disabilities play baseball alongside a buddy who cheers them on. Every player gets to bat, run the bases, and be part of the team.
A nonprofit-maintained local hub that gathers therapy providers, camps, respite, advocacy, and recreation options specifically for Williamson and Rutherford County families in one searchable place. A gentle starting point when you're not sure where to turn first.
Based right in Murfreesboro, this program helps Rutherford County families pay for respite care, day care, equipment, therapies, and other real-life needs when raising a child with a significant disability. Applications are open year-round, with spring being the best time to apply.
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 trusted statewide resource that explains your options for supporting an adult child's decisions, from supported decision-making and power of attorney to conservatorship, special needs trusts, and ABLE accounts. Trained staff can answer questions and connect you with legal help as you plan for the future.
Free state services that help teens and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, including job coaching, interview practice, and pre-employment help for high school students getting ready to transition. A great first stop when your son or daughter starts thinking about work.
A plain-language legal guide from the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services explaining conservatorship, guardianship, and powers of attorney for adults with disabilities. A helpful place to understand your options before your child turns 18 and decisions about their care become a legal question.
A Murfreesboro nonprofit that has supported Rutherford County adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1975, offering adult day services, supported employment, and residential/supported living. A warm local place to start when your child is aging out of school and you're figuring out what adult life can look like.
A Murfreesboro day program built for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with life-skills training, vocational education, creative arts, and social time. A caring option for meaningful weekday routines after high school ends.
Tennessee's state Vocational Rehabilitation program has a local office right in Murfreesboro that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. They offer counseling, job training, transition-from-school services, and job placement at no cost.
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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