Local Autism Resources in Grand Rapids, MI
Programs, school offices, places to play and people in Kent County 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
Early On Kent ISD
County program
Self-referral
Kent County's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3 with a delay or disability. Parents can refer their own child online or by phone.
BCBA note
Birth to 26
Grand Rapids Public Schools Child Find
School district
Email or call
If you think your child may have a disability, Grand Rapids Public Schools has Child Find staff who help families from the baby years through young adulthood.
BCBA note
18 months to 18 years
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Autism Assessments
Autism evaluation
Hospital clinic
Doctor referral
The pediatric behavioral health clinic at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital assesses children from 18 months to 18 years for autism, sometimes with a team of specialists.
BCBA note
Age 20 and younger
Network180 Autism Testing
Medicaid
County program
Kent County's community mental health agency tests for autism for children and young adults with Medicaid, age 20 and younger.
BCBA note
Prenatal to kindergarten
Bright Beginnings (Kent ISD)
Free
Home visits
Screenings
Free home visits and developmental screenings from Kent ISD for Kent County families, from pregnancy until a child starts kindergarten.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Build Up Michigan
Statewide
Preschool
Child Find
Michigan's Child Find program for children ages 3 to 5 who may need special education before kindergarten, including children with autism.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Early On Ottawa Area ISD
Ottawa County
Self-referral
The early intervention office for babies and toddlers under 3 in Ottawa County, so Holland families start here instead of Kent ISD.
BCBA note
Ages 0-5
Family Futures Connections (Thrive by Five)
Developmental screening
Parent support
A West Michigan program that sends parents of young children regular developmental screening questionnaires and helps them find resources if a delay shows up.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy by telehealth anywhere in Michigan, and at home where an independent BCBA serves your address. 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.
Michigan Medicaid and MIChild for Children
Statewide
Medicaid
Michigan's public health coverage for children and teens. One application covers Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan and MIChild, which is now part of Medicaid.
BCBA note
Under 18
Network180 Children's Intake Team
Medicaid
Autism benefit
County program
The Kent County door to Medicaid autism services for children. Call the Access Line and ask for a children's intake to learn what your child qualifies for.
BCBA note
Family Hope Foundation Therapy Scholarships
Therapy scholarships
Family events
A West Michigan nonprofit that helps pay for therapy insurance does not cover, through scholarships for families in Kent, Ottawa and nine other counties.
BCBA note
Jack's Voice Family Assistance Fund
Grants
Autism
Small grants from Autism Support of Kent County for autism-related needs such as sensory equipment, safety items, swim lessons and other activities.
BCBA note
MDHHS Autism Parent Resources
Statewide
Medicaid
Insurance
Michigan's health department lays out the first steps after an autism diagnosis, for children on Medicaid and for families with private insurance.
BCBA note
Under 18
Michigan Family Support Subsidy
Statewide
Monthly payment
A monthly state payment for families raising a child with a severe developmental disability at home, including autism, applied for through your county mental health agency.
BCBA note
The Arc Kent County Benefits Counseling
Benefits help
SSI and Medicaid
Staff at The Arc Kent County answer questions about disability benefits such as SSI, Medicaid, the Family Support Subsidy and Home Help.
BCBA note
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
Birth to 26
Michigan Alliance for Families
Free
Statewide
Parent mentors
Michigan's free parent center for special education. A regional parent mentor who has been through it can help with IEPs and school questions.
BCBA note
The Arc Kent County
IEP help
Advocacy
Kent County's chapter of The Arc helps families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with special education advocacy, training and local referrals.
BCBA note
Autism Alliance of Michigan MiNavigator
Statewide
Autism
Navigator
Autism Alliance of Michigan's MiNavigator program, which the state health department names for families who need more guidance on autism services and supports.
BCBA note
Autism Support of Kent County Parent Support Groups
Support group
Autism
Support groups for parents and caregivers of autistic children, teens and adults, held at the Autism Support of Kent County office and online.
BCBA note
Disability Advocates of Kent County
Disability help
Equipment
Benefits
A Kent County disability center that asks you to call with any question that has the word disability in it, from equipment and home access to benefits and jobs.
BCBA note
Disability Rights Michigan
Statewide
Legal advocacy
Michigan's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. Call during intake hours for advice about your child's rights, including at school.
BCBA note
Kent ISD Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE)
Parent group
Special education
A Kent ISD forum where parents of children with disabilities share information, hear about changes in special education and meet local support groups.
BCBA note
School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Grand Rapids Public Schools Special Education
School district
Autism programs
Grand Rapids Public Schools' special education department, with autism classroom programs and a full range of services set through the IEP process.
BCBA note
Birth to 26
Kent ISD Special Education Parent Liaison
Parent liaison
County program
Kent ISD's special education parent liaison helps families who are not sure where to start find disability resources across Kent County.
BCBA note
Grandville Public Schools Student Services
School district
Grandville Public Schools' student services office oversees special education programs and services for students with disabilities in Grandville.
BCBA note
Kenowa Hills Public Schools Special Education
School district
Kenowa Hills Public Schools' special education office, with programs from early childhood special education and resource rooms to classrooms for students who need more support.
BCBA note
Ages 0-25
Kentwood Public Schools Special Education
School district
Child Find
Kentwood Public Schools' special education office serves eligible students and runs Child Find for children and young adults who live in the district.
BCBA note
Special Education Mediation Services
Statewide
Free
Mediation
Free help from trained facilitators and mediators when parents and a Michigan school disagree about special education services.
BCBA note
START Project (GVSU Autism Education Center)
Statewide
School support
Autism
A Michigan Department of Education project at Grand Valley State University that helps schools and families support students with autism.
BCBA note
Wyoming Public Schools Student Services
School district
Section 504
Wyoming Public Schools' student services office handles special education, Child Find and Section 504 for Wyoming families.
BCBA note
Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Sensory kits
Social story
A hands-on children's museum downtown that lends sensory tool kits with headphones and a weighted vest, and has a social story to read before you go.
BCBA note
All ages
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Quiet room
Sensory tools
The city's public museum lends sensory tools at the front desk and has a private quiet room for anyone who needs a break from crowds.
BCBA note
Artists Creating Together
Arts
Classes
Art, music and performing arts programs for children, youth and adults with disabilities in the Grand Rapids area, with adult classes at its studio.
BCBA note
Celebration Cinema Sensory Showtimes
Sensory showtimes
Movies
Movie showings with the lights up, the sound down, open captions and fewer previews, at a Grand Rapids area cinema chain.
BCBA note
Full Spectrum Players (Autism Support of Kent County)
Theater
Autism
An autism theater group from Autism Support of Kent County that rehearses year-round and puts on two full shows each year.
BCBA note
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Low sensory shows
Sensory backpacks
A downtown community theater with low sensory performances, sensory backpacks at every show and a sensory-friendly social club for kids, teens and adults.
BCBA note
Grand Rapids Public Library Sensory Tool Kits
Library
Sensory kits
Social story
Any Grand Rapids Public Library location will lend a sensory tool kit during your visit, with noise reduction headphones, a weighted vest and a social story guide.
BCBA note
John Ball Zoo
Zoo
Sensory bags
KultureCity
Grand Rapids' zoo lends sensory bags at guest services and marks headphone zones and quiet areas, and its staff are trained in sensory inclusion through KultureCity.
BCBA note
Kent District Library Sensory Packs
Library
Sensory kits
Every Kent District Library branch keeps sensory packs with fidgets, noise-canceling headphones and weighted items, and its website has sensory book lists for kids.
BCBA note
Kentwood Parks and Recreation Adaptive Programs
Adaptive sports
City program
Social events
Kentwood's adaptive recreation program runs sports, clinics and social groups for people with disabilities who live in Kentwood and beyond.
BCBA note
Sensory Friendly Playtime at Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Sensory-friendly hours
Registration
Free after-hours playtimes at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, run with Autism Support of Kent County, when the museum is calmer and quieter.
BCBA note
Ages 2 and up
Special Olympics Michigan
Sports
Young Athletes
Sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, run from a Grand Rapids center, with Young Athletes for ages 2 to 7.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County Respite
Respite
County program
Short breaks for Ottawa County caregivers of a loved one with special needs, from an hour with a provider at home to a weekend of care away from home.
BCBA note
18 months and up
Comprehensive Therapy Center
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Nonprofit
A Grand Rapids nonprofit clinic offering speech, occupational, sensory and other therapies for children and adults with developmental disabilities, with fees on a sliding scale.
BCBA note
Family Tree Therapies
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Feeding therapy
A private pediatric therapy practice in Grand Rapids and Rockford offering occupational, speech and feeding therapy, including sensory and regulation work for autistic children.
BCBA note
Up to age 16
Grandville Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentist
Special needs dentistry
Sedation
A Grandville pediatric dental office whose board-certified pediatric dentists care for children with special needs and offer sedation and hospital dentistry when needed.
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. Most Michigan dentists accept it.
BCBA note
Little Red Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentist
General anesthesia
Healthy Kids Dental
A Holland pediatric dental office with its own surgical suite, where children with sensory sensitivities or special healthcare needs can have dental work under general anesthesia.
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
Call, text or chat 988 any time for free and confidential help from a trained counselor.
BCBA note
All ages
Network180 Crisis Services
24/7
Walk-in
County program
Kent County's 24/7 crisis line for children and adults, plus walk-in crisis help at the Network180 Access Center on weekdays.
BCBA note
Network180 Mobile Crisis Response
Mobile crisis
Youth
A Network180 team that comes to a child or teen in crisis anywhere in Kent County, at home, at school or in a public place.
BCBA note
Community Mental Health of Ottawa County Helpline and Mobile Crisis
24-hour line
Mobile crisis
County program
Ottawa County's 24-hour behavioral health helpline, which can also send a mobile crisis team to Holland families who need help in person.
BCBA note
Ages 5-18
Network180 Outpatient Clinic for Youth
Counseling
Any insurance
Ongoing counseling, groups and care coordination for Kent County children and teens ages 5 to 18, with or without insurance.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Ages 14 and up
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Statewide
Jobs
Students
Michigan's vocational rehabilitation agency helps students ages 14 to 26 and adults with disabilities plan for, find and keep a job.
BCBA note
Ages 6 and up
Autism Support of Kent County Social Groups
Social groups
Autism
Monthly social groups for autistic kids ages 6 to 12 and teens 12 to 18, plus closed friendship groups for young adults and adults.
BCBA note
Adults
Beyond26
Jobs
Faith-based
A faith-based Grandville nonprofit that helps adults with disabilities find jobs and volunteer roles with local businesses.
BCBA note
Ages 14+
Disability Advocates of Kent County Youth Transition Services
Transition
Job skills
Life skills and job readiness sessions for youth with disabilities ages 14 and up, from Disability Advocates of Kent County.
BCBA note
GRCC Disability Support Services
College
Accommodations
Grand Rapids Community College's office that arranges accommodations so students with disabilities have equal access to classes and campus life.
BCBA note
Young adults
Kent ISD Empower U
Transition
Young adults
Kent ISD's program for young adults in special education, built around job skills, independent living and taking part in the community.
BCBA note
Adults 18+
Noorthoek Academy
College classes
GRCC
College classes at Grand Rapids Community College for adults with intellectual disabilities and learning challenges who finished four years of high school.
BCBA note
The King's Table Ministries
Faith
Community hub
A Grand Rapids ministry for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, with programs in schools, group homes, churches and a hub for adults.
BCBA note
The Rapid Travel Training
Free
Bus training
Free one-on-one training from The Rapid, Grand Rapids' bus system, so a teen or adult with a disability can learn to ride the bus on their own.
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 Grand Rapids parents ask
How do I get my child evaluated for autism in Grand Rapids?
For a child under 3, refer your child to Early On Kent ISD at 800-327-5966 or online, and staff call back within ten days. For older children, Grand Rapids Public Schools Child Find at 616-819-3514 handles school evaluations. Children with Medicaid can also ask Network180 about autism testing at 616-336-3909.
How do Kent County families get Medicaid autism services?
In Kent County, Medicaid autism services start with Network180, the county's community mental health agency, at 616-336-3909. Its Children's Intake Team checks eligibility for youth under 18 and connects families to services, and children without Medicaid may qualify for the Children's Waiver Program.
How do Grand Rapids families apply for Michigan Medicaid or MIChild?
Families use one form, the Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs, for Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan and MIChild, which is now part of Medicaid. Children under 21 with Medicaid also get Healthy Kids Dental at no cost. Alpaca Health verifies Michigan Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
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