Snohomish County, Washington

Autism resources in
Snohomish County.

Local providers and support groups, plus Washington statewide and nationwide programs — all in one place.

🌱 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.
MilestonesFree appAges 0–5
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.cdc.gov
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.
early interventionbirth to 3statewidefree
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: dcyf.wa.gov
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.
autism diagnosisevaluationhospitalages 15mo-21
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.seattlechildrens.org
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 diagnosisevaluationuniversityinfant-toddler
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: depts.washington.edu
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.
autism diagnosisABAMedicaidprovider directory
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: medicalhome.org
Based right in Everett, this center provides autism diagnostic evaluations for children from 18 months through 18 years, along with ABA therapy programs. It was created specifically to shorten the wait for diagnosis and treatment for Snohomish County families.
autism diagnosisEveretthospital program
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.providence.org
This is the county's front door for babies and toddlers, birth to age three, who have developmental delays or a medical diagnosis that could affect their growth. They build an individualized plan and connect your family with services, and your child does not need a formal diagnosis to get started.
birth to 3early interventioncounty program
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: snohomishcountywa.gov
A well-established nonprofit offering birth-to-three early intervention including speech, occupational and physical therapy, special education, and infant mental health support. They serve south Snohomish County families and work closely with each child's development plan.
birth to 3therapynonprofit
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: wonderlandkids.org

⚖️ 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.
IEPFreeFind your center
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.parentcenterhub.org
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.
Special ed lawFind an advocateIEP rights
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.copaa.org
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.
Free legal helpDisability rightsBy state
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.ndrn.org
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.
legal advocacydisability rightsfreestatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: disabilityrightswa.org
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.
multiculturalIEP navigationKing/Pierce Countyin-language support
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: opendoorswa.org
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.
state agencyspecial educationIEPstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: ospi.k12.wa.us
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.
IEP helpparent trainingstatewidefree
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: wapave.org
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.
ombudsdispute helpfreestatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.oeo.wa.gov
A statewide center that helps Washington families understand special education law, the IDEA, and the IEP process through free trainings and resources. A calm place to learn what your rights actually are before your next school meeting.
IEP trainingspecial education lawfamily resourcesnonprofit

🧩 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.
CaregiversMental healthAffordable
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.psychologytoday.com
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.
family navigatorstatewidereferrals
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: helpmegrowwa.org
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.
ABAspeech therapyOTfree screenings
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: nwautism.org
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.
autism evaluationABAtherapy
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.seattlechildrens.org
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.
autism evaluationearly interventionABA
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: depts.washington.edu
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.
ABA therapyMedicaidstatewide
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.hca.wa.gov
The county's own office connecting families to services for people with developmental disabilities, including the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers program for children birth to age three. A warm first call if you're not sure where to start.
county officeearly interventionbirth to 3referrals
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: snohomishcountywa.gov
The state Health Care Authority's official, regularly updated list of ABA therapy providers who accept Apple Health (Medicaid). A practical starting point for finding in-network autism therapy near you.
ABA therapyMedicaidprovider directorystatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.hca.wa.gov

💰 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.
SavingsTax benefitAll states
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.ablenrc.org
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.
respitecaregiver supportvouchersfunding
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: wapave.org
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.
legal aidpublic benefitsfreeappeals
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: nwjustice.org
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.
ABLE accountsavingsSSI-safetax-advantaged
The state agency that determines eligibility and opens the door to Medicaid Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waivers, in-home personal care, and respite funding for people with developmental disabilities. Snohomish County families are served by the Region 2 office, which can mail you an intake packet and walk you through applying.
Medicaid waiverHCBSrespite fundingstatewide
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.dshs.wa.gov

🤗 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.
AutismHelplineLocal chapters
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: autismsociety.org
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.
IDDAdvocacyLocal chapters
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: thearc.org
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.
FreeReferrals24/7
Verified 2026-06-24 · source: www.211.org
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.
peer supportcommunitystatewideevents
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.autismsocietyofwa.org
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.
state agencyDDA servicesstatewideguidance
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.informingfamilies.org
A wooded lakefront camp near Stanwood that welcomes campers of all abilities, with specialized cabin groups for children and teens who have mild to moderate developmental disabilities. It is a joyful, inclusive way for your child to try camp, make friends, and give you a short breather.
recreationsummer campnonprofitages 7-21
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: campkilloqua.org
This Lake Stevens nonprofit has supported children and adults with disabilities, including autism, for more than 60 years, from early therapy for little ones to job and community programs for grown children. Families across Snohomish County can call to find the right starting point.
nonprofitall agesautism/DDearly support
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.sherwoodcs.org
Caring for a loved one is around-the-clock work, and every caregiver deserves a break. This county-supported program arranges in-home, out-of-home, planned, and emergency respite, with free or sliding-scale help based on income.
respitecaregiver supportcounty government
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: snohomishcountywa.gov

🚀 Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning

Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.

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.
special needs trustlong-term planningstate programbenefits protection
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: ddetf.wa.gov
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.
vocational rehabemploymenttransitionstate agency
Verified 2026-07-03 · source: www.dshs.wa.gov
This state office in Everett helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, offering counseling, training, assistive technology, and job supports. Staff work one-on-one with your family member to remove barriers to employment.
localvocational-rehabemployment
Verified 2026-07-04 · source: www.dshs.wa.gov
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. Spot something out of date? Suggest or report a resource →

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