Local Autism Resources in McAllen, TX

Ages 0-18

Medicaid Buy-In for Children

Lets working families with incomes above the usual Medicaid limit buy Medicaid for a child 18 or younger with a disability.

Ages 0-20

STAR Kids Medicaid

Texas Medicaid for children and young adults with disabilities age 20 and younger, given through a health plan with a service coordinator who helps you find care.

Texas Medicaid Waiver Interest Lists

Put your child on the state's long waiting lists for Medicaid waiver services now. You do not have to prove your child is eligible to join.

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health IDD Services

The local IDD authority for Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties. Call its IDD line to ask about eligibility, service coordination and the HCS and Texas Home Living lists.

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program

If your child has Medicaid and a parent can get insurance through work, Medicaid may pay you back for the monthly premium.

Under 18

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children

Federal monthly payments for families of a child 17 or younger whose disability seriously limits daily life, and SSI also brings Medicaid coverage.

Texas ABLE

A state savings program that lets people with disabilities and their families save money for disability-related expenses.

Edinburg CISD Special Education

Edinburg CISD's special education department. Start with your child's campus service team, or call the department directly.

Ages 3-21

Harlingen CISD Special Education

Harlingen CISD's special education office, for students with disabilities from age 3 through 21, with a Child Find page for families who suspect a disability.

SPEDTex Special Education Information Center

The state's special education help line for parents. Call, email or use the online form, in English or Spanish.

Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) Grant

A one-time state grant for students in public school special education, spent online on extra speech therapy, tutoring, learning materials or devices.

Ages 3-21

PSJA ISD Special Education Department

The special education office for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, where parents can make a referral for an evaluation and ask about services for children 3 and older.

Ages 3-21

Sharyland ISD Special Education

Special education, Section 504 and dyslexia services for Sharyland ISD students ages 3 to 21, with a direct line for parents asking for an evaluation.

Ages 6 weeks to 5 years

Easterseals Rio Grande Valley Inclusive Child Development Center

Child care in McAllen where young children with and without disabilities learn and play side by side, with staff trained in special needs care.

Gigglesville Pediatric Dentistry

An Edinburg pediatric dental office whose board-certified dentists say they have long experience caring for children with special needs, with sedation and Medicaid help.

RGV Pediatric Dentistry

A pediatric dental practice with offices in McAllen and Mission that says it treats children with special health care needs and accepts Medicaid and CHIP.

All ages

Take Time Texas

The state's respite program for family caregivers, so a parent can get a short break from caring for a child or adult with a disability or chronic condition.

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health IDD Respite and Community Support

Short breaks for family caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in the home or out of it, after an intake with the local IDD authority.

All ages

UTRGV Speech and Hearing Center

A university speech and hearing clinic in Edinburg where graduate students, supervised by licensed faculty, evaluate and treat children and adults at reduced rates.

South Texas College Student Accessibility Services

South Texas College's office for students with disabilities, with accommodations such as testing changes, interpreters, readers and adaptive equipment at every campus.

After high school

Tropical Texas Behavioral Health IDD Employment and Day Habilitation

Job help, supported employment and day programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities after high school, through the Valley's local IDD authority.

UTRGV Student Accessibility Services

UTRGV's office for students with disabilities, which reviews documentation and arranges accommodations such as extra test time and distraction-reduced testing rooms.

Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL)

The Valley's center for independent living. It offers peer counseling, living skills training and advocacy, and helps teens with disabilities move from high school to college or work.