Autism resources in
Benton 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.

ESIT is Washington's free early intervention program for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. If you have any worry about your child's development, you can call the Family Health Hotline to be connected with a local Family Resources Coordinator.

Seattle Children's Autism Center offers comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for children and youth ages 15 months to 21 years, using a team of specialists to give families answers sooner. They accept Apple Health (Medicaid), private insurance, and offer financial aid.

The University of Washington Autism Center provides comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for infants, children, and adolescents, with specialized infant/toddler assessments starting as early as 6 months. They have locations in Seattle and Tacoma.

Autism Centers of Excellence are Washington providers specially trained to diagnose autism and prescribe ABA therapy, which is required for children on Apple Health (Medicaid). This page helps families understand the diagnosis pathway and find qualified evaluating providers.

This Kennewick clinic specializes in evaluating and diagnosing autism in children as young as 12 months, with both in-clinic and telehealth options. A clear diagnosis here opens the door to therapy, school accommodations, and insurance coverage for your family.

This Richland-based nonprofit is the local early-intervention hub for Benton and Franklin County families, offering free developmental evaluations and therapy for infants and toddlers birth to age 3. Their team helps you understand your child's development and build a support plan, no diagnosis needed to start.

Educational Service District 123 runs the state's Early Support program across Benton County school districts including Kiona-Benton City, Prosser, and Richland. Their team of therapists and autism specialists provides free developmental screenings and in-home support for children birth to 3 with delays or disabilities.

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 Washington is the state's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal advice and, for eligible families, representation on special education matters. Their site also gathers trusted resources on complaints, mediation, and due process hearings.

Open Doors is a federally designated Community Parent Resource Center that helps culturally and linguistically diverse families navigate special education, the IEP process, and disability services in their own language. Staff speak more than 20 languages and serve families across King and Pierce counties.

Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction runs the state special education program and answers non-legal questions from families about how the process works, your rights, and where to turn for help. It's a good starting point straight from the state agency that oversees your school district.

PAVE is Washington's official Parent Training and Information Center, offering free one-on-one help, coaching, and training so you can understand your child's special education rights and feel prepared for IEP and 504 meetings. Their staff can walk you through evaluations, accommodations, and disagreements for kids ages 0-26.

The Education Ombuds is a free, confidential state office, independent of your school district, that helps families understand the K-12 system and resolve special education concerns collaboratively. They can listen, share information, and work informally with you and your school, with phone interpretation in more than 150 languages.

Washington's state education agency oversees your child's right to a free appropriate public education under IDEA, with plain-language guides on IEPs, evaluations, eligibility, and parent rights. They also explain your options for mediation and community complaints if things go wrong.

This neutral state office listens, informs, and helps parents and schools work through disagreements about special education, from evaluations to placement. They can guide you toward mediation, complaints, or due process, with free phone interpretation available.

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.

Free statewide hotline where you can talk with a family navigator about your child's health, development, or where to find therapy and evaluation services. A warm first call if you're not sure where to start.

A well-established Spokane nonprofit offering ABA therapy across the lifespan, speech and occupational therapy, and free autism screenings for all ages. A great option for families in Eastern Washington looking for coordinated autism care.

A leading hospital-based center offering diagnostic autism evaluations, an ABA early-intervention program, speech and feeding therapy, and support for kids from toddlers through young adults. They accept Apple Health, private insurance, and offer financial aid for families without coverage.

Part of UW's Institute on Human Development and Disability, this center provides autism evaluations and the ABA LAUNCH early-intervention program, plus parent and toddler support, at its Seattle and Tacoma locations. It's a trusted university clinic for families seeking assessment and treatment.

Washington's Medicaid agency (Apple Health) covers ABA therapy for kids and young adults with autism, and this state page walks you through how a Center of Excellence evaluation gets your child approved for treatment. It's the official starting point for finding a covered ABA provider.

A family-centered pediatric clinic in Richland providing physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy for children, including those with autism. Their approach is play-based and built around each child'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.

For unpaid family caregivers who aren't already getting respite through Medicaid, this program offers small vouchers (up to $1,000 per qualifying child) to help pay for a break from caregiving. It's run by PAVE with state and federal funding and is meant for planned respite, not just crisis moments.

Northwest Justice Project is Washington's free civil legal aid program, and its CLEAR hotline is the statewide door to free legal help with things like denied SSI or Medicaid benefits, special education, and housing. Callers who are deaf or hard of hearing and seniors 60+ have their own dedicated lines.

An ABLE account lets a person with a disability (that began before age 46) save and invest money for everyday and future needs without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits, as long as the balance stays under the program limits. You can open an account online in about 10 minutes with a $25 minimum deposit.

The county's own developmental disabilities program offers local family support, the Parent Coalition, employment help, and connections to respite right here in Benton County. Staff can help you navigate state services close to home.

The state's official protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal information, self-advocacy help, and some legal representation when a person with a disability faces discrimination or denial of services and benefits. Their intake line is a good first call if you're stuck fighting a benefits or services decision.

Free civil legal help for low-income Washington families, including problems with government benefits, SSI or Medicaid denials, and special education. Call the CLEAR line to get advice or a referral to a local legal aid attorney.

This state agency decides DDA eligibility and opens the door to Medicaid Home and Community-Based waivers, respite, and long-term support for your child. Benton County families are served by the Region 1 intake office, which can mail you an enrollment packet and answer questions.

ABLE lets people with disabilities save up to $100,000 in a tax-advantaged account without losing Medicaid or SSI, with funds usable for housing, transportation, technology, and other everyday needs. You can open an account in about ten minutes at washingtonstateable.com.

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.

An Autistic-led statewide nonprofit that builds community through free peer support, coffee and game clubs, sensory-friendly events, and connection for autistic people and their families. A warm place to find belonging and local resources across Washington.

Trusted, plain-language guidance from the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council and the DDA, organized by your child's life stage. A great starting point for understanding services like family support and respite, and finding county-specific supports.

A local, parent-run support group started by a Tri-Cities mom of two boys on the spectrum, with monthly meetups (in English and Spanish) plus family playdates and social hours. It's a welcoming place to connect with other parents who truly get it.

This Kennewick nonprofit runs respite and community programs so caregivers can catch their breath, including the Nexus Youth Club for kids and teens ages 12-22 with developmental disabilities. Days are filled with arts, games, cooking, and outings in a welcoming space.

A Kennewick-based center that has spent more than 20 years walking alongside local families, offering autism screenings, adult social and day programs, and steady guidance for parents figuring out what comes next. It's a warm, familiar first call for many Tri-Cities families.

Created by the Washington Legislature, this state program lets families open a special needs trust at low cost so you can set money aside for your child's future without risking their SSI or Medicaid. It's managed by The Arc of Washington with funds safely invested by the state, and even offers matching funds on fees.

DVR is Washington's statewide vocational rehabilitation program, pairing your adult child with a counselor who helps them prepare for, find, and keep a job. They also offer transition services for high schoolers moving toward the workplace, plus benefits planning and assistive technology.

A long-standing Tri-Cities nonprofit offering adults with disabilities job coaching, job placement, and long-term employment support, plus day programs for community inclusion and enrichment. It is a welcoming next step for a young adult aging out of school services in Kennewick, Pasco, or Richland.

This state office helps adults with disabilities in Benton County prepare for, find, and keep a job, with vocational counseling, job training, assistive technology, and benefits planning. A counselor can walk your young adult through the move from school into paid work.