Autism resources in
Spokane 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.

The developmental pediatricians here provide thorough evaluations and diagnose autism spectrum disorder and related developmental conditions in children. Ask your child's doctor for a referral to get the process started with this Spokane hospital team.

Spokane County's early intervention program supports children from birth to age three who have developmental delays, offering therapies and family coaching. If you have any concern about how your baby or toddler is growing, this is a warm, no-cost place to start.

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.

Free legal help for lower-income families on IEP and 504 issues, discipline, and discrimination, with attorneys who meet by phone. Their statewide CLEAR hotline serves Spokane County families.

A nonprofit that provides free legal advocacy for youth, including help getting access to special education and navigating school discipline. They have a Spokane County office serving local young people and their families.

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 pediatric therapy clinic in Spokane Valley offering speech-language and occupational therapy for children with autism, sensory, and developmental needs from birth to age 21. They also support feeding and sensory-processing challenges.

Caravel offers autism diagnostic evaluations and one-on-one ABA therapy for children as young as 12 months in a welcoming, kid-friendly Spokane clinic. They partner closely with caregivers throughout the process.

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.

This is the state office that determines eligibility for Washington's Medicaid HCBS waivers and services like respite, therapies, and personal care for people with developmental disabilities. If your child has an autism or developmental disability diagnosis, call to start enrollment and get on any waiver waitlists as early as possible.

Northwest Justice Project is Washington's largest free civil legal aid program, with a Tacoma office serving Pierce County, and it helps low-income families with denied or lost benefits like SSI, Medicaid, and DDA services. You reach a lawyer through the statewide CLEAR intake hotline, with a separate line for callers age 60 and over.

The county division partners with the state to connect families to developmental disability programs, from early intervention for children birth to three through adult employment and community supports. A local, no-cost place to ask what benefits and services your family qualifies for.

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.

The City of Spokane runs specialized, adaptive recreation for people with disabilities of all ages, from bowling and swimming to monthly dances, ski trips, and camps. Scholarships and reduced fees are available, and caregivers are welcome to come along.

FYSPRT is a family and youth peer support group for parents and kids navigating behavioral and mental health challenges in the Spokane and northeast Washington area. It is a judgment-free space to share, learn, and connect with other families and local resources.

Side by Side brings people with and without developmental disabilities together for real friendship through music, cooking, community nights, and outdoor fun. It is a warm, welcoming place to belong rather than a helper-and-helped program.

This Spokane nonprofit supports families touched by autism and other developmental disabilities with inclusive programs, sensory events, and safe spaces like ISAAC's Clubhouse for teens and the Discovery Program for younger children. Parents connect while kids play and explore.

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.

The Area Agency on Aging for Spokane and four neighboring counties, offering free help with long-term care planning, caregiver support, and disability resources. Their Community Living Connections helpline is a warm first call when you are figuring out what comes next.

Washington's vocational rehabilitation program helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job through counseling, assessments, training, and assistive technology. The Spokane office serves local families and can start planning an individualized path to employment.

This county office helps adults 21 and older with developmental disabilities find employment support, community inclusion, and day services as they move beyond high school. Case Resource Managers can walk your family through options and referrals, and eligibility is not based on income.