Local Autism Resources in Detroit, MI
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb 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.
Ages 0-3
Detroit Public Schools Early Intervention Diagnostic Center
School district
Home or center visits
Detroit Public Schools' team for babies and toddlers under 3. It runs Early On and special education evaluations and writes a family plan with you.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early On Macomb (Macomb ISD)
County program
Parent referral
Macomb County's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 with a delay or a condition that may lead to one. Parents can call directly.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early On Oakland (Oakland Schools)
Free evaluation
County program
Oakland County's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 with a delay or a health condition. Refer online or by phone at no cost.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early On Wayne County (Wayne RESA)
County program
Parent referral
Wayne County's early intervention door for babies and toddlers under 3 who may have a delay. Parents can call the referral hotline or refer online.
BCBA note
Henry Ford Health Autism Diagnostic Team
Autism evaluation
Video visits
Hospital team
An autism evaluation by video from Henry Ford Health's diagnostic team, which brings together pediatrics, psychiatry, speech, neuropsychology and psychology.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early On Michigan
Statewide
Parent referral
Translation help
Michigan's statewide early intervention line for babies and toddlers under 3. Call 1-800-EarlyOn or refer online, and your county program takes it from there.
BCBA note
Livonia Public Schools Child Find
School district
Free evaluation
Livonia's school district evaluates children from birth through age 5, and school-age children, who may need special education, at no charge.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy at home across Detroit and by telehealth anywhere in Michigan, with independent BCBAs. Michigan Medicaid and private insurance are verified before therapy starts.
Start your intake →
Paying for care
Medicaid, the Innovations Waiver, SSI, grants and local charities.
Under 21
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Autism Services
Medicaid
County program
Wayne County's door to Medicaid autism services. One call to the access center starts a screening, an evaluation and a support coordinator for your child.
BCBA note
Macomb County Community Mental Health, Autism Services
Medicaid
County program
Macomb County's door to the Medicaid autism benefit. Customer service registers your child, checks Medicaid and sets up a phone screening.
BCBA note
MDHHS Medicaid Autism Benefit
Statewide
Medicaid
The state health department's autism pages, which explain Michigan Medicaid's coverage of autism treatment and how screening, diagnosis and school eligibility work.
BCBA note
Michigan Medicaid Application (MDHHS and MI Bridges)
Statewide
Medicaid
Apply online
Where to apply for Michigan Medicaid for your child, online through MI Bridges, on the paper DCH-1426 form, or through your county MDHHS office.
BCBA note
Oakland Community Health Network, Autism Services
Medicaid
County program
Oakland County's door to Medicaid autism services. Call the access line, and staff screen your needs and connect your family to services.
BCBA note
MiABLE Disability Savings Program
Statewide
Savings account
Michigan's ABLE savings account, which lets people with disabilities and their families save for disability expenses without putting federal benefits at risk.
BCBA note
Under 18
Michigan Family Support Subsidy
Statewide
Monthly payment
A monthly state payment for families raising a child under 18 with autism or a severe disability at home, applied for through your county mental health agency.
BCBA note
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
All ages
Disability Rights Michigan
Statewide
Legal rights
Michigan's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. Call during intake hours to ask an advocate about special education or other rights.
BCBA note
All ages
Michigan Alliance for Families
Statewide
Parent mentors
Spanish and Arabic
Michigan's parent center for special education. Regional parent mentors help you understand your rights, the IEP process and local services.
BCBA note
All ages
The Arc Detroit
Advocacy
Detroit families
Detroit's Arc chapter, offering advocacy and other services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
BCBA note
All ages
Autism Alliance of Michigan (MiNavigator)
Statewide
Navigators
Free
A free statewide service from the Autism Alliance of Michigan whose navigators help families and autistic people find local resources for an autism-related need.
BCBA note
All ages
The Arc of Macomb County
Advocacy
Benefits help
Macomb County's Arc chapter. Advocates help families with Medicaid and Social Security applications, guardianship options and special education.
BCBA note
All ages
The Arc of Oakland County
Advocacy
Special education help
Oakland County's Arc chapter. Advocates help families with special education, SSI and SSDI benefits, guardianship, respite and residential options.
BCBA note
School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Detroit Public Schools Community District, Exceptional Student Education
School district
IEP and 504
Detroit Public Schools' special education department, serving students with IEPs and 504 plans from birth to age 26, with autism evaluations and programs.
BCBA note
Special Education Mediation Services
Statewide
Free mediation
Free, neutral mediators and meeting facilitators for Michigan families and schools who disagree about a child's special education.
BCBA note
Dearborn Public Schools Special Education Department
School district
Dearborn Public Schools' special education office. Call it with questions about special education services for your child.
BCBA note
Troy School District Special Education
School district
Troy School District's special education department, the place Troy families call about evaluations, IEPs and services for students with disabilities.
BCBA note
Utica Community Schools Student Support and Special Services
School district
Free evaluation
Sterling Heights area school district office that runs free Child Find evaluations and special education services. Call to refer a student.
BCBA note
Warren Consolidated Schools Special Education
School district
Preschool program
Warren Consolidated's special education office handles evaluations, IEPs and services. Call the office to refer your child.
BCBA note
Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
Detroit Institute of Arts
Sensory-friendly hours
Sensory bags
Detroit art museum with Sensory-Friendly Saturdays for neurodivergent children, teens and adults, and free sensory bags.
BCBA note
All ages
Detroit Zoo
Sensory bags
Sensory-friendly hours
Royal Oak zoo with staff trained in sensory inclusion, sensory bags to borrow and sensory-friendly hours and evenings.
BCBA note
All ages
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Sensory-Friendly and Relaxed Events
Sensory-friendly shows
Quiet room
Sensory-friendly concerts and relaxed open rehearsals, plus free sensory toolkits and a quiet room during any event.
BCBA note
All ages
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan
Sensory bags
Staff trained
Indoor LEGO play center at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, certified as sensory inclusive, with sensory bags to borrow and a social story to prepare.
BCBA note
All ages
Oakland County Parks Adaptive Recreation
County program
Quiet zone
Oakland County Parks programs for people with disabilities, plus help joining any park program or event.
BCBA note
All ages
OUCARES at Oakland University
Sports and camps
Scholarships
Oakland University's autism outreach program, with sports classes, social events and summer camps for autistic children, teens and adults.
BCBA note
All ages
SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium
Sensory bags
Staff trained
Aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, certified as sensory inclusive, with sensory bags at the guest service desk and a social story to prepare.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Cutie Cuts Children's Salon Quiet Room
Haircuts
Quiet room
A children's hair salon in Utica with a private quiet room for kids who find haircuts hard because of sensory needs or anxiety.
BCBA note
Under 21
Healthy Kids Dental
Statewide
Medicaid
Dental
Michigan's dental coverage for children under 21 who have Medicaid, at no cost to families, accepted by most dentists in the state.
BCBA note
Kids Tooth Team Michigan
Pediatric dentist
Special needs
Sedation
A pediatric dental practice in Lake Orion with a dentist trained in special healthcare needs, sensory-friendly visits and Medicaid accepted.
BCBA note
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan
Pediatric dentist
Special needs
A pediatric dental and orthodontic practice in Clinton Township that offers special appointments for children with autism and other special healthcare needs.
BCBA note
The Arc of Macomb County Respite Services
Respite
In-home support
Respite from The Arc of Macomb County that gives family caregivers of people with developmental disabilities an occasional break, at home or in the community.
BCBA note
All ages
Tye Family Dentistry Special Needs Dentistry
Family dentist
Special needs
A family dental office in Macomb Township that offers special needs dentistry for children and adults with autism, sensory processing differences and other conditions.
BCBA note
All ages
Wayne State University Speech and Language Clinics
Speech therapy
Autism program
Speech and language evaluations and therapy in Detroit for people of all ages without insurance coverage, including a program for autism.
BCBA note
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Adaptive Swim Lessons
Adaptive swim
Private lessons
Adaptive swim lessons at Metro Detroit YMCAs, taught one on one or in small groups by instructors who teach swimmers with a range of special needs.
BCBA note
Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
All ages
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Michigan Crisis and Access Line)
Statewide
24/7
Call, text or chat
Call or text 988, or chat online, any time for free help with a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis. In Michigan, most 988 calls reach MiCAL.
BCBA note
All ages
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Crisis Line
24/7
Mobile crisis
Walk-in center
Wayne County's 24/7 crisis line. Call for a counselor or to send the mobile crisis team, or walk in to a crisis center that takes children.
BCBA note
All ages
Macomb County Community Mental Health Crisis Line
24/7
County program
Macomb County's crisis line, answered all day, every day, for anyone in a mental health crisis.
BCBA note
All ages
Oakland Community Health Network Crisis Line
24/7
Mobile crisis
Oakland County's 24/7 crisis line for anyone in a mental health crisis, with a mobile crisis unit.
BCBA note
All ages
Common Ground
24/7
Crisis hub
Oakland County nonprofit that runs a 24/7 crisis hub and staffs Michigan's crisis and access line. Hotlines and most services are free.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
All ages
Friendship Circle of Michigan
Volunteer buddies
Social outings
Adult programs
West Bloomfield nonprofit with more than 40 programs for children, teens and adults with special needs, from volunteer buddies and outings to art and job training.
BCBA note
Ages 14-26
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Statewide
Job training
Student services
Michigan's state vocational rehabilitation agency. It helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep work, with services for students still in school.
BCBA note
Adults
OUCARES Pre-Employment Skills Training
Job readiness
Life skills
A weekday job readiness program at Oakland University for autistic adults, covering workplace skills, job searching and daily living.
BCBA note
Special Olympics Michigan, Detroit and Wayne County
Sports
Year-round
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, with local programs for Detroit and the rest of Wayne County.
BCBA note
The Arc of Macomb County Employment Services
Supported employment
Independent living
Job coaching, supported employment and independent living classes in Macomb County for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
BCBA note
College students
Wayne State University Student Disability Services
College accommodations
The office Wayne State students register with to get academic accommodations for a documented disability.
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 Detroit parents ask
How do I get my child evaluated for autism in Detroit?
For a child under 3, call Early On in your county, which is Wayne RESA at 734-334-1393, Early On Oakland at 248-209-2084 or Macomb ISD at 586-228-3463, or use the statewide line at 1-800-327-5966. For a child 3 or older, ask your school district for a special education evaluation, which Livonia Public Schools, for example, does at no charge. If your child has Medicaid, the county Community Mental Health agency screens for autism and helps arrange a diagnostic evaluation.
How do I start the Medicaid autism benefit in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb County?
Call your county's Community Mental Health agency, which is DWIHN at 1-800-241-4949 in Wayne County, Oakland Community Health Network at 248-464-6363, or Macomb County Community Mental Health at 855-996-2264. Staff check your child's Medicaid, complete a screening and connect you with a support coordinator or case manager who helps arrange the evaluation.
Does Michigan Medicaid pay for autism therapy?
Yes, Michigan expanded Medicaid autism services in 2013 to cover behavioral health treatment for people with autism, and in the Detroit area you start through the county Community Mental Health agency. A child needs Medicaid to use the benefit, and families without it are pointed to private insurance or to the state to apply. Alpaca Health verifies Michigan Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Detroit?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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