Autism resources in
Whatcom 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.

A local Bellingham practice offering neuropsychological and diagnostic evaluations for children, teens, and young adults, including autism spectrum disorder assessments. Helpful when your family needs a formal, in-county autism evaluation.

SEAS is Whatcom County's free, single front door for families worried about a young child's development. One call connects you with a navigator who sets up a free developmental evaluation and links you to early intervention providers for children birth to age 3 (and resource navigation up to 21).

WCEL is a longtime Bellingham nonprofit providing free early intervention for children birth to age 3, including developmental evaluations, speech, movement, feeding, and social-skills support. Families can self-refer without a doctor's note if they have a concern about their child's development.

The county's Developmental Disabilities office coordinates local services for children and adults, including child development and early intervention for infants and toddlers. It's a good place to understand what county-supported supports exist and how to get connected.

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.

The district's special education department supports students from birth through age 22 with IEP services, therapies, and transition programs across Whatcom County's largest school system. Reach the department directly with questions about your child's plan.

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.

Washington's state education agency provides plain-language guidance on evaluations, IEPs, your parental rights, and what to do when you disagree with the school. Their special education team can answer questions directly by phone or email.

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 Bellingham pediatric clinic providing speech-language, feeding, and occupational therapy for children from birth through age 21, including those on the autism spectrum. They see families in person and online across Whatcom County.

A pediatric therapy clinic in Bellingham providing physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children of Whatcom County with autism and other developmental needs. They offer both center-based and in-home care.

A Bellingham-based center offering autism diagnostic evaluations, ABA therapy, psychiatry, and counseling for children and families right here in Whatcom County. They have served the area since 2011 and offer both in-clinic and in-home services.

Offers center-based and in-home ABA therapy plus a 12-week intensive day program for young children ages 2 to 6.5 with autism, including speech and parent training. Their Bellingham location serves families across Whatcom County.

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 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.

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.

Families for Autism Care, Education & Support is a parent-founded Whatcom County nonprofit that hosts community activities and social events (like family swim and roller skate nights) for children, young adults, and families affected by autism.

A Bellingham nonprofit offering fun, inclusive recreation programs (game nights, dances, outings, group hikes) for teens and adults with developmental disabilities, so your child can build friendships and enjoy community. It's a warm, welcoming place to belong.

Free emotional support and connection for local families raising a child with special needs, including one-on-one matches with trained "helping parents" who have been there. They also host monthly parent support meetings on the second Monday of each month.

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.

Washington's Developmental Disabilities Administration walks families through what comes after high school, from IEP transition planning at 16 to employment options and less-restrictive alternatives to guardianship. It gently maps the whole aging-out journey in one place.

The state's local vocational rehabilitation office in Bellingham helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job through counseling, assessment, training, and on-the-job support. It is a good first call when your adult child is ready to explore employment.

The official state courts hub explains adult guardianship and conservatorship, with plain-language guides, forms, and a helpline for families weighing decision-making support for an adult child. A good starting point when you are thinking about how choices will be made after your child turns 18.