You can start getting help for your autistic child in Houston this week. The first call depends on your child's age, and the office you reach can tell you where to go next. You don't need every answer on day one.
Some of the help has a long wait, and some of it depends on your county. Join the waiting lists first, while you set up the evaluation and the school request.
Key Takeaways
- A baby or toddler starts with an early intervention program, and a child of preschool age or older starts with a written request to the school district.
- The state's Medicaid waivers have long waiting lists, and the county you live in decides which office takes your call and which grants you can apply for.
- The free Houston checklist on this page keeps every number in one place, and if you're ready for ABA therapy too, you can start your intake.
Every Houston number you need in your first 90 days, in one place.
We also sent the link to your email.
Who to call first, based on your child's age
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is the Texas program for babies and toddlers with delays or disabilities. In Harris County two agencies run it. Either one can evaluate your child and start services at home or at daycare, and you can refer your child yourself by phone.
- The Harris Center runs ECI for Harris County for children from birth to 3. Its ECI-RISE program adds therapy for babies who don't qualify for ECI, and the number is 713-970-8777.
- Easter Seals Greater Houston runs its own ECI Infant Development Program for children from birth to 36 months in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty and other nearby counties, with evaluations at no cost. Call 713-838-9050.
- Texas Parent to Parent answers calls from parents on the day of a diagnosis, and the people who pick up are parents of children with disabilities. Call 866-896-6001 or start on the Texas Parent to Parent site.
When you call about ECI, staff ask about your child's growth and health before they set up an evaluation. Have your child's birth date, your doctor's name and a short list of what worries you in front of you. ECI ends on your child's third birthday, so the program plans the move to school services before then.
If your child is already 3, the school district takes the first call. A doctor or psychologist can evaluate for an autism diagnosis at the same time. You can start both in the same week, so help can begin at school and at home sooner.
Where to get a medical autism diagnosis
If you're not sure yet, the free M-CHAT-R screener takes about two minutes and is made for toddlers 16 to 30 months old. Bring the result to your pediatrician and ask about a full evaluation.
- The Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism at Texas Children's does autism and developmental evaluations with developmental pediatricians and psychologists. It describes itself as a diagnostic center and does not offer ongoing therapy, and its department page lists 832-822-3400.
- The Dan L Duncan Children's Neurodevelopmental Clinic at UTHealth Houston evaluates children for autism, ADHD, learning and intellectual disabilities in the Texas Medical Center. The clinic page lists (713) 500-8300.
- The Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Houston-Clear Lake sees more than 100 families a year for assessment and for parent and teacher training, from childhood into adulthood. Call 281-283-3452 or email autismcenter@uhcl.edu through the center's page.
Alpaca Health also offers autism evaluations with the ADOS-2 (a standard autism test done with a clinician) and checks your coverage before you book. You can ask more than one clinic for a spot. The first appointment you get can lead to the diagnosis. When you call, ask how long the wait is and which forms to send ahead.
Before the visit, write down how your child talks and plays, and what happens when a plan changes. Bring those notes with any school or therapy reports. Keep the diagnosis report in one folder afterward, since health plans and grant programs ask for proof. If you'll pay for an evaluation yourself, the diagnosis cost guide shows what's typical.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Alpaca Health matches your family with an independent BCBA in Texas and handles the insurance paperwork and scheduling so you can focus on your child.
Get matched with a BCBA →
Parent support and advocacy groups
Other parents can tell you which form to fill out first and what to ask at each meeting. Some of these groups can also step in when a school or health plan says no.
- The Autism Society of Texas runs support and connection groups, events, and information and referral for families across the state. Call 512-479-4199 or look up Houston groups on the society's site.
- The Arc of Harris County offers respite, social and recreation programs, special education advocacy, and a Familias Hispanas group for Spanish-speaking families. Call 713-957-1600 or visit The Arc of Harris County.
- Autism Moms of Houston is a nonprofit community of more than 10,000 moms, caregivers and families that offers support, events and advocacy. Details are on the Autism Moms of Houston site.
- FEAT-Houston was founded by families in 1995 and offers free workshops, a free ABA video in English and Spanish, and information about the Medicaid waivers. Its site has the schedule.
- The PATH Project at Partners Resource Network is the federally funded parent center for the Houston region. It gives free help with special education rights for families of children from birth to 26, in English and Spanish, at 1-800-866-4726, and the Region 4 coordinator's number on the PATH page is 832-720-2369.
- Disability Rights Texas gives free legal help to Texans with disabilities who face discrimination or can't get disability services, including problems at school. Its intake line is 1-800-252-9108, Monday through Thursday from 10 to noon and 1 to 3.
A parent from Texas Parent to Parent or The Arc can tell you what worked for their child and what they wish they had known. At a first meeting it's fine to listen and take notes. If the meeting time doesn't work for you, ask whether the group meets online. Call Disability Rights Texas when you think a school or agency broke a disability law.
School help in Houston
Your child can get a school evaluation even if a doctor already gave a diagnosis, because the school team makes its own decision about special education. Put your request in writing so you have a dated record, and copy the principal on the email.
- Houston ISD offers inclusion support, resource classes and Structured Learning Classes, and for the 2026-2027 school year it is capping self-contained classes at one adult for every five students. Its special education page has the details, and the Special Education Parent Liaisons answer questions at (713) 556-7042.
- Cy-Fair ISD evaluates children from birth to 21 through Child Find, and its special education office is at 281-897-6400. Katy ISD's special education department can be reached at 281.396.6000.
- Region 4 Education Service Center supports 47 school districts around Houston with parent seminars and transition programs for ages 18 to 22, at (713) 462-7708 through the Region 4 site. SPEDTex, the state's special education information line, answers questions by phone, email and chat at 1-855-773-3839 through SPEDTex.
- The Westview School teaches children with autism from ages 2 through 18 and offers therapies on campus. Admissions details are on the Westview site.
- The Parish School has served children with communication delays and learning differences since 1983, and its early childhood program includes up to 15 hours of group language therapy a week. Details are on the Parish School site.
- Gateway Academy serves grades 6 through 12 for students with autism, ADHD, anxiety and learning disabilities, and its GAP program continues for young adults after high school. The Gateway Academy site has the application steps.
- The Monarch School serves students from age 3 through high school, plus adult learners, with autism, ADHD and other neurological differences. Its programs are on the Monarch School site.
After you ask, a school team meets with you about your concerns. If the team thinks your child may have a disability, it asks for your written OK before testing. If your child qualifies, the team writes an Individualized Education Program (IEP). That plan lists your child's services and goals.
The IEP meeting checklist helps you bring the right questions to that first meeting. Keep every email and report in one folder. You'll want them at the next meeting. If you and the school disagree, the PATH Project can explain your options before you meet again.
Every Houston number you need in your first 90 days, in one place.
We also sent the link to your email.
Paying for therapy and care
Texas Medicaid covers ABA therapy for members age 20 and younger who have an autism diagnosis. The benefit started on February 1, 2022, according to the state's Medicaid notice. The health plan approves therapy before it starts. Read our guide to Medicaid ABA coverage before you choose a provider.
Children on Medicaid also have EPSDT, the part of Medicaid that pays for a child's checkups and needed care. Children with disabilities in the Houston area get their Medicaid through a STAR Kids plan, and the plan's member line is where you ask what it covers.
- Three STAR Kids plans serve the Harris service area, according to the state's Medicaid handbook and plan chart. Texas Children's Health Plan is at 800-659-5764, UnitedHealthcare at 877-597-7799 and Wellpoint at 844-756-4600.
- The Harris Center is the local authority for intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Harris County. Its IDD services office at 713-970-7799 decides eligibility and puts your child on the interest lists for the HCS and TxHmL waivers.
- Texana Center does the same for Fort Bend and nearby counties, and its intake line is (281) 239-1363.
- The state takes the calls for the CLASS, MDCP, DBMD and STAR+PLUS interest lists at 877-438-5658, and the person who has waited longest is served first under the same handbook rule.
- The Children's Autism Program is a separate state program that pays for short-term ABA for children ages 3 to 15, up to 180 hours in 12 months, according to Texas HHS. Call 2-1-1 to find the local provider.
Once your child is on a list, write down the date you applied and the office you called. Check in once a year to make sure your phone number and address are still current. Our Texas waivers guide explains what each waiver pays for.
Money for families depends on where you live. The Harris Center's Inspire program gives families of children from birth to 6 with delays, IDD or autism up to $5,000 for therapies and assistive technology, plus up to $1,000 for respite, through its ECI office. FACES Autism has awarded more than $3.5 million in ABA scholarships to Houston-area families, and to apply a child needs a diagnosis and the family needs to have tried insurance first, according to the FACES site.
Hope For Three is a Sugar Land nonprofit that supports autism families from diagnosis through adulthood. Its Family Assistance and Resource Support program pays up to $3,000 a year toward therapy, medical costs and swim lessons, paid to an approved provider, and it is only for Fort Bend County residents, according to its assistance page. Families anywhere can use its referral help at 281-245-0640. Our Texas autism grants guide and the PDSES grant guide cover the statewide programs.
If your child has private insurance, call the member number on the card. Ask what the plan pays for autism evaluations and ABA therapy, and whether it has to approve therapy first. Write down the date and the name of the person you spoke with.
What if the plan says no? Ask for the reason in writing and keep the letter. Disability Rights Texas can tell you whether the denial breaks a rule.
Paying for ABA therapy
Alpaca Health accepts Texas Medicaid and many private plans, and verifies your benefits before therapy starts so you know what your plan covers.
Check your coverage →
Respite, weekends and sensory-friendly outings
A few Houston programs give parents a break or give your child a place to play with other kids. The museum and the zoo also set aside times with lower lights, less noise and fewer people.
- Easter Seals Greater Houston runs Family Day Out, playgroups for ages 6 to 15, and a Young Adult Night for ages 15 to 21. The schedule is on the Easter Seals site.
- The Arc of Harris County served 747 youth and adults in respite, social and recreation programs in 2025, according to its site. Call 713-957-1600 to ask about the next session.
- Children's Museum Houston closes to the public for Sensory Friendly Days, with dimmed lights, no music and sensory bags to borrow. The next dates on its sensory-friendly page are October 19, 2026 and December 14, 2026, and registration is at (713) 535-7238.
- The Houston Zoo is a certified autism center with sensory guides for each area and free sensory bags at Guest Services, according to its accessibility page. Access questions go to 713-533-6501.
- Special Olympics Texas Area 4 offers year-round sports across the Houston area, with training from age 6, competition from age 8 and Young Athletes for ages 2 to 7. Call 713-290-0049 or see the Area 4 page.
For a first visit anywhere new, pick a short trip at a slow time of day, bring whatever helps your child settle, and plan a way to leave early if you need to.
Crisis help in Harris County
Save these numbers in your phone while things are calm. The Harris Center runs the county's crisis line and the 988 line for its region, and it has a crisis team for people with IDD.
| Who to Call | When to Call | How to Reach Them |
|---|---|---|
| 988 Lifeline | Any mental health crisis, day or night | Call or text 988 |
| The Harris Center Crisis and Access Line | A mental health crisis in Harris County, any hour | 713-970-7000, 24 hours a day |
| The Harris Center IDD crisis intervention | A crisis involving a person age 3 or older with an intellectual disability or autism, through the IDD services office | 713-970-7000 |
| Texana Center crisis line | A crisis in Fort Bend and nearby counties | 1-800-633-5686, 24 hours a day |
| 911 | A life-threatening emergency | Call 911 |
If you call 911, tell the dispatcher that your child is autistic and what helps calm them. It also helps to keep a short note with your child's diagnosis, medicines, doctor's name and what calms them in your phone or by the door.
Support for autistic teens and adults
Big changes happen at 18, so it helps to start planning in the early teen years. The state's job program for students can begin at 14, and the adult programs in Houston have their own waiting lists.
- Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation offers job and college counseling, internships and workplace readiness training for students with disabilities ages 14 to 22, through its youth program. You apply through a local office.
- Pursuit Center offers recreation, education, job services and residential programs for adults with IDD and autism. Call (713) 525-8400 or visit Pursuit Center.
- Avondale House runs a day program, a job-readiness program called STEP, and a residential program for adults with autism, all for ages 18 and up. Details are on the Avondale House site.
- Easter Seals Greater Houston runs children's therapy for speech, occupational and physical therapy from birth to 21 and takes Medicaid and CHIP, at 713-838-9050 through its main site.
Ask your child's school team to add work and college goals to the IEP well before graduation. Our guide to IEP goals for autism gives examples you can bring to the meeting.
Faith and community groups
If your family belongs to a place of worship, ask whether it has a special needs ministry or a buddy program for classes. A weekly class also gives your child a steady routine outside the house, and it gives you time with other families.
- The STARS program at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center is an inclusive preschool for children with disabilities, including autism, with speech, occupational and music therapy built into the week. Details are on the STARS page.
- The Arc of Harris County's Familias Hispanas group meets in Spanish, and its site lists the dates.
- 2-1-1 Texas is the state's referral line for any service, day or night, and its site searches by ZIP code. Call 2-1-1 when you don't know which office to start with.
If a first try doesn't go well, ask the leader what they would change, and give it a second visit before you decide.
How Alpaca Health helps Houston families
Alpaca Health matches Houston families with independent BCBAs. A BCBA (board certified behavior analyst) is the clinician who plans and leads your child's ABA therapy. Therapy can happen at home in Houston and nearby towns, or by video anywhere in Texas.
Alpaca Health checks your Texas Medicaid or private insurance before therapy starts. Your BCBA builds the plan around the skills your family cares about, such as talking or getting through a trip to the store. You can see local BCBAs and the parts of town they serve on the Houston ABA page. When you're ready to begin ABA while the school and waiver steps move forward, you can start your intake.
Every Houston number you need in your first 90 days, in one place.
We also sent the link to your email.
Frequently asked questions about autism resources in Houston
Where should I start if my child has autism in Houston?
Start with one call based on your child's age. Babies and toddlers go to ECI through The Harris Center or Easter Seals, and older children go to the school district for an evaluation. At any age, Texas Parent to Parent can help you plan, and it helps to join the waiver interest lists early.
Does Texas Medicaid cover ABA therapy in Houston?
Yes, Texas Medicaid covers ABA for members age 20 and younger who have an autism diagnosis, and your child doesn't need a waiver slot to begin. Alpaca Health checks your Texas Medicaid or private insurance before therapy starts, and you can begin your intake today.
Is there money for autism families in Harris County?
Yes, The Harris Center's Inspire program pays up to $5,000 for therapies for children up to age 6, and FACES Autism gives ABA scholarships to Houston-area families who have tried insurance first. Hope For Three's assistance program is only for Fort Bend County residents. The Texas resources guide lists the statewide programs.
Are there free autism support groups in Houston?
Yes, FEAT-Houston runs free workshops, Autism Moms of Houston runs events and support, and The Arc of Harris County has a Spanish-language group. Texas Parent to Parent connects you with a parent by phone.
Support for the hard days.
When you are ready for expert support, Alpaca Health matches your family with a BCBA who can help with the hardest moments, at home, in a clinic, or by telehealth.
Get matched with a BCBA →
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