Local Autism Resources in Asheville, NC
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Buncombe and Henderson counties that help families of autistic kids, each one checked against the organization's own website. No sponsored listings.
Getting a diagnosis
Where to get an evaluation, and who to call first for a child under 3.
Asheville City Schools Child Find and Preschool Services
Preschool
School district
Asheville City Schools' Child Find and preschool office for young children who may need special education. The EC preschool coordinator is the first call.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Buncombe County Schools Preschool Special Education
School district
Preschool evaluation
Where to refer a Buncombe County child age 3 to 5 with a developmental delay for a free school screening, play-based assessment and preschool services.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
CDSA of Western North Carolina
Early intervention
Parent referral
The early intervention office for babies and toddlers under 3 in Buncombe, Henderson and nine other western counties. A parent can make the referral.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Henderson County Public Schools Exceptional Children Preschool
Free
Preschool
School district
Henderson County's countywide preschool program for 3, 4 and pre-k 5-year-olds with disabilities, including free screenings, evaluations and an IEP.
BCBA note
Olson Huff Center, Mission Children's Specialists
Autism evaluation
Hospital clinic
A Mission Children's clinic in Asheville whose team evaluates children for autism, ADHD, anxiety and other developmental and behavioral health conditions.
BCBA note
All ages
UNC TEACCH Autism Program, Asheville Center
Insurance
Referral needed
UNC's autism program offers diagnostic evaluations and therapy at its Technology Drive office. A professional who knows your child sends the referral form first.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy by telehealth anywhere in North Carolina, and at home where an independent BCBA serves your address. NC Medicaid and private insurance are verified before therapy starts.
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Paying for care
Medicaid, the Innovations Waiver, SSI, grants and local charities.
All ages
Buncombe County Health and Human Services, Medicaid
Medicaid
County program
The county office where Buncombe families apply for NC Medicaid in person or by phone. You can also apply online through the state's ePASS site.
BCBA note
All ages
Henderson County Department of Social Services, Medicaid
Medicaid
County program
The county office where Henderson County families apply for NC Medicaid in person or by phone. You can also apply online through the state's ePASS site.
BCBA note
All ages
Vaya Partners
Medicaid
Tailored Plan
Innovations waitlist
The public health plan for Medicaid Tailored Plan members in Buncombe and Henderson counties, and the place to call to join the NC Innovations Waiver waitlist.
BCBA note
All ages
NC ABLE
Savings account
Statewide
Savings accounts for people whose disability began before age 46, so families can save for disability costs and keep SSI and Medicaid.
BCBA note
All ages
NC Lifespan Respite Program
Respite
Referral needed
Statewide
Pays family caregivers back for part of the cost of respite care each year. A local agency fills out the application for you.
BCBA note
All ages
NC Medicaid 1915(i) Services
Free
Medicaid
While you wait
Free home and community services for NC Medicaid members with I/DD, including people still waiting for the Innovations waiver.
BCBA note
All ages
NC Medicaid Ombudsman
Medicaid help
Statewide
A help line for NC Medicaid members and families with questions, or with a problem they can't solve with their provider or health plan.
BCBA note
The Arc of Buncombe County Crisis Assistance
Emergency help
I/DD
Emergency money help for Buncombe County households where someone has an intellectual or developmental disability, for costs like rent, utilities, groceries and medicine.
BCBA note
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
Birth to 26
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Free
Spanish
Statewide
North Carolina's parent training and information center. It gives free help to families of children with special needs, including before IEP meetings.
BCBA note
Family Support Network of Western North Carolina
Free
Parent to parent
Support groups
The Family Support Network office for Buncombe, Henderson and four nearby counties, with free parent-to-parent support, groups and workshops for families of children with special needs.
BCBA note
The Arc of Buncombe County
I/DD
Advocates
IEP help
Local nonprofit for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its advocates help families with the IEP process, doctor visits and court.
BCBA note
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Help Line
Free
Help line
Statewide
A free state help line where parents can get information and referrals for a child with a developmental, behavioral or other health condition.
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Disability Rights North Carolina
Legal rights
Free
Statewide
North Carolina's protection and advocacy agency, based in Raleigh. Free legal help for people with disabilities, including school and housing problems.
BCBA note
Henderson County Exceptional Communities Program
County program
Family support
Care notebook
A Henderson County health department program for families of people with special health care needs, with a life-stage roadmap and a free care notebook.
BCBA note
NAMI Western Carolina
Support groups
Free
Mental health
Free support groups and classes for families affected by mental illness, including an online group for parents and caregivers of children and teens under 18.
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School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Asheville City Schools Exceptional Children's Services
IEP
School district
The Asheville City Schools department that runs special education, IEPs and 504 plans for students with disabilities.
BCBA note
Ages 3-21
Buncombe County Schools Exceptional Children
School district
Evaluation request
How to ask Buncombe County Schools to evaluate a child age 3 to 21 for special education, in writing to the school or by phone to the district office.
BCBA note
ESA+ Scholarship (Education Student Accounts)
State scholarship
K-12
Opens in February
State scholarship for students with disabilities who need special education. It pays for private school tuition and approved costs like speech therapy and tutoring.
BCBA note
Ages 3-21
Henderson County Public Schools Exceptional Children
Free
IEP
School district
Henderson County Public Schools' special education office for students ages 3 to 21 who qualify, with services set in each child's IEP.
BCBA note
Opportunity Scholarship
Income-based
Private school
Opens in February
State scholarship, sized by household income, that helps pay tuition and required fees at registered private schools.
BCBA note
Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
Asheville Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation
Adaptive sports
City program
Camps
City of Asheville recreation for kids, teens and adults with developmental or physical disabilities, from adaptive sports to afterschool and summer camps.
BCBA note
Biltmore Estate
Sensory bags
KultureCity certified
Quiet areas
A KultureCity certified estate in Asheville where families can borrow sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and find marked quiet areas.
BCBA note
Ages 2-12
Donnie Jones All-Inclusive Playground
Inclusive playground
County park
Henderson County's all-inclusive playground in Jackson Park in Hendersonville, designed for children ages 2 to 12 with climbers, swings, slides, ramps and play panels.
BCBA note
Murphy-Oakley All-Abilities Playground
Inclusive playground
Fenced
Quiet spot
Asheville's first all-abilities playground, designed with autism and sensory needs in mind, with a fence, cognitive play areas and a calm serenity spot.
BCBA note
Ages 2 and up
Special Olympics Buncombe County
Free
Year-round sports
Young Athletes
Free sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities in Buncombe County, plus a Young Athletes program for children ages 2 to 7.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Carolina Pediatric Therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Medicaid
Speech, occupational, physical and counseling therapy for children at clinics in Asheville and Hendersonville, at home, at school or online, with NC Medicaid accepted.
BCBA note
All ages
Hendersonville Family Dental
Dentist
Comfort options
A Hendersonville dental office that says it cares for children and adults with a developmental or medical condition, with headphones and other comfort options.
BCBA note
Newborns to young adults
Higher Ground Pediatric Therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Feeding therapy
A pediatric therapy practice in Arden for speech, occupational and physical therapy, with feeding therapy and experience with autism and sensory processing.
BCBA note
Ages 6 weeks to pre-K
Irene Wortham Center Early Learning Center
Child care
Inclusive
Preschool
A nonprofit child care center in Asheville where children from six weeks old to pre-K, with and without developmental disabilities, learn and play together.
BCBA note
Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
All ages
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free
24/7
Spanish
Call, text or chat 988 any time, day or night, for free and confidential help from a trained counselor.
BCBA note
All ages
Vaya Partners Behavioral Health Crisis Line
24/7
Free
Mobile crisis
Vaya Partners' 24/7 crisis line for anyone in its region, including Buncombe and Henderson counties, and it can send a mobile crisis team to you.
BCBA note
Henderson County Special Needs Registry
Emergency planning
Smart911
County program
Sign up through Smart911 so Henderson County's 911 operators and first responders know about your child's special needs before an emergency.
BCBA note
Hope4NC Helpline
Statewide
24/7
Free
A free, confidential 24/7 state helpline for anyone recovering from Hurricane Helene who feels stressed, worn out, in crisis or just needs someone to talk to.
BCBA note
Ages 6 and up
NC START West
I/DD crisis
State program
Crisis prevention and support for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and complex behavioral or mental health needs, starting at age 6.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
NC Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities, Asheville Office
Vocational rehab
State program
North Carolina's vocational rehabilitation office in Asheville. It helps people with disabilities get ready for, find and keep jobs.
BCBA note
A-B Tech Disability Support Services
College
Accommodations
I/DD support
The community college office that arranges class and testing accommodations for students with disabilities, starting with an intake form, a meeting and documentation.
BCBA note
DisAbility Partners, Asheville
Independent living
Peer support
Advocacy
The Center for Independent Living for Buncombe, Henderson and nearby counties, helping people with disabilities build life skills, speak up for themselves and move into work or college.
BCBA note
Adults
Irene Wortham Center Adult Day Activity Program
Adult day program
I/DD
CARF accredited
A nonprofit adult day program in Asheville for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, built around each person's own service plan.
BCBA note
Ages 16-21
TEACCH T-STEP at A-B Tech
Free
College course
Job readiness
A free UNC TEACCH college course at A-B Tech in Asheville that helps autistic students ages 16 to 21 move into adulthood, with class, counseling and job practice.
BCBA note
The Arc of NC, West Region
I/DD
Supported employment
Guardianship help
The Arc of North Carolina's Asheville office, with supported employment, Project SEARCH, housing help, advocacy and guardianship planning for people with I/DD.
BCBA note
Where to start
Know a place that belongs here? Email the team and we will check it and add it. Suggest a resource →
Questions Asheville parents ask
How do I get my child evaluated for autism in Asheville?
For a child under 3, call the CDSA of Western North Carolina at 828-250-3400, which serves both Buncombe and Henderson counties. For ages 3 to 5, call the Asheville City Schools EC preschool coordinator at 828-350-2936, or in Henderson County the preschool program at Fletcher Elementary, 828-393-4560, which offers free screenings and evaluations. For a medical autism evaluation, the UNC TEACCH Asheville Center sees children once a professional who knows your child sends a referral form.
How do I get on the NC Innovations waiver waitlist in Buncombe County?
In Buncombe and Henderson counties you join the NC Innovations Waiver waitlist through Vaya Health at 800-962-9003, and anyone can apply regardless of age, income or insurance. While you wait, ask Vaya about NC Medicaid 1915(i) services, which do not affect your spot on the waitlist.
How do Asheville families apply for NC Medicaid?
Buncombe County families apply at Health and Human Services, 40 Coxe Ave. in Asheville, or by phone at 828-250-5500, and Henderson County families apply at the Department of Social Services on Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, 828-697-5500. Anyone can also apply online through the state's ePASS site. Alpaca Health verifies North Carolina Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Asheville?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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