🌱 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.
Utah's free statewide program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. They come to your home for a full developmental evaluation and provide services like speech, physical, and occupational therapy at no cost.
The state office that runs Utah's Autism Systems Development Program, which works to lower the age of first diagnosis and connect families to evaluation and services. A good first call when you're not sure where to start with a diagnosis.
A nonprofit run by parents of children with disabilities that helps you understand the diagnosis and evaluation process, early intervention, and your rights. Trained parent consultants offer free one-on-one guidance by phone, email, or in person.
Run by Southern Utah University in Cedar City, this program gives free developmental evaluations and in-home support for babies and toddlers, birth to age three, right here in Iron County. If you're worried your little one is behind on talking, walking, or connecting, you can call or text them directly to get started.
⚖️ 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.
Utah's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal help statewide regardless of income. Their education team defends the rights of students with disabilities under IDEA, the ADA, and Section 504.
A Utah nonprofit that helps families understand learning disabilities, IEPs, and 504 plans in plain language. Their guides walk you step-by-step through the special education process, from referral to transition planning.
The Utah State Board of Education's office for special education family rights and dispute resolution. If you and your school disagree, they offer free IEP facilitation, mediation, state complaints, and due process, with forms in English and Spanish.
This is your local district office for anything IEP-related, from evaluations and eligibility to services and placement for your child. Cedar City families can call to reach the special programs team directly with questions or concerns.
🧩 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.
Run by Valley Behavioral Health, the Pingree Center provides center-based ABA therapy, social skills groups, and family support and training with board-certified behavior analysts. They also help with benefit checks and case management so the process feels less overwhelming.
This nonprofit in Orem provides in-home and clinic-based ABA therapy plus autism evaluations for young children ages 2 to 6, and an official diagnosis isn't required to get started. It's a warm, accredited place to begin early therapy for little ones.
The ASD Clinic at Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers diagnostic testing, behavioral consultations, and therapy for children, teens, and adults, and many visits can be done virtually. It's a good option if you're seeking an evaluation or specialized autism care from a university hospital.
This is Utah's official state autism program, and it maintains up-to-date lists of ABA treatment providers and diagnostic evaluators, plus links to early intervention and Medicaid autism services. It's a trustworthy first stop when you're trying to find therapy and figure out what your family qualifies for.
This Cedar City center provides ABA therapy alongside counseling, evaluations, and psychiatry coordinated by one team, so much of your child's care can happen under one roof. It is a longtime Utah provider and a member of the Council of Autism Service Providers.
Cedar City's hospital-based rehabilitation team offers pediatric occupational therapy, including sensory integration and feeding support for children with autism and other developmental needs. It is a trusted local option right in town for kids ages 2 to 18.
💰 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.
ABLE Utah lets your family save and invest money for disability-related expenses without putting Medicaid or SSI benefits at risk. Parents or guardians of a child who became disabled before age 46 can open an account and watch it grow tax-free.
SSI is a federal monthly payment for children and adults with disabilities in families with limited income, and it often opens the door to Medicaid too. You can call Social Security to check eligibility and start an application by phone.
Utah's DSPD runs the state Medicaid home- and community-based waivers that can pay for respite, day services, behavior supports, and in-home help so your child can be cared for at home instead of a facility. Call to apply or ask where you are on the waiting list.
Utah Medicaid can cover medical care, therapies, and long-term supports for children and adults who qualify by income or disability. Their eligibility line can walk you through applying and what your family may be entitled to.
🤗 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 parent-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings Utah families and autism agencies together through resources, trainings, and community events. It's a welcoming statewide network for connecting with others who understand.
An Orem-based Utah nonprofit offering supervised one-on-one respite care so you can rest, run errands, or have a date night while your child plays in a safe setting. They also run an autism center and early-intervention programs.
A county-run program with inclusive, adaptive sports, aquatics, camps, dances, and social events for kids and adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Participation is open to everyone regardless of where you live.
Utah's Division of Services for People with Disabilities offers respite care so parents and caregivers can get a needed break, plus caregiver compensation and other family supports. This is the state's main door to disability services.
A Cedar City nonprofit offering free respite childcare (about three hours a week) plus 24/7 crisis care, giving Iron County parents a safe place for their children and a much-needed break. They serve families across the county.
A local group where Iron County parents raising kids on the spectrum meet to share support, ideas, and encouragement. They gather the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Cedar City Library.
A weekly, counselor-led support group in Cedar City where caregivers learn practical strategies for tough moments and connect with other parents who get it. It meets Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to noon.
A St. George nonprofit that helps people with disabilities live independently through personalized services, monthly community events, respite vouchers, and skill-building. A welcoming local hub for Washington County families.
🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A Utah nonprofit that steps in as guardian or conservator and manages special needs trusts when a family member cannot, and helps families navigate the guardianship process for a child, sibling, or spouse. A trusted option for long-term care and future planning.
A Medicaid program that lets adults with disabilities work and earn income while keeping their health coverage, so a job doesn't mean losing benefits. Helpful for young adults moving into employment during the transition to adulthood.
A free, parent-friendly program that walks Utah families through everything adulthood brings, from transition IEPs and employment to guardianship, housing, and financial planning. Includes plain-language guides and weekly 'TU Tuesday' workshops.
The state office that helps teens and adults with disabilities find and keep meaningful jobs, with career counseling, job coaching, and transition services for students leaving high school. A free, statewide first step toward employment and independence.
A long-established Utah nonprofit with a Cedar City office providing adult day supports, supported employment, and residential services for people with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. A local place to build an adult's day-to-day support after school ends.
When your child ages out of school services, DSPD is the state agency that coordinates long-term support like day programs, supported employment, and community living for adults with developmental disabilities. Their support coordinators help you find providers and build a person-centered plan.
This state office helps transition-age youth and adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job through counseling, training, job placement, and assistive technology. It is often the first stop when a young adult is ready to explore work.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change — always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
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