Local Autism Resources in Raleigh, NC
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Wake, Durham and Orange 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.
Duke Autism Clinic, Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development
Hospital clinic
Referral needed
Duke's autism clinic in Durham offers evaluations, parent coaching and therapy. Children over 3 need a referral from a Duke Health provider before an evaluation.
BCBA note
Ages 0-3
Raleigh CDSA
Free evaluation
County program
Wake County's early intervention office for babies and toddlers under 3. A parent can make the referral, and the evaluation costs nothing.
BCBA note
All ages
UNC TEACCH Autism Program, Raleigh Center
Insurance
Referral needed
UNC's autism program offers evaluations and therapy at its Lake Boone Trail office. A professional who knows your child sends the referral form first.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Wake County Public School System Child Find Office
Public school
Spanish line
The school district's starting point for children ages 3 to 5 who may need special education. A parent, relative, child care provider or doctor can call.
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All ages
Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD), UNC
University clinic
Evaluations
UNC's developmental disabilities clinic in Carrboro evaluates children and adults for autism and intellectual disability and helps plan care afterward.
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Ages 0-3
Durham CDSA
Free evaluation
Durham and Orange
The early intervention office for babies and toddlers under 3 in Durham, Orange and six nearby counties, including Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
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Ages 2 years 10 months to kindergarten
Project Enlightenment Developmental Screening (WCPSS)
Free screening
Spanish line
Free developmental screenings from the Wake County school system for preschoolers whose speech, play, behavior or social skills worry you.
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All ages
UNC TEACCH Autism Program, Chapel Hill Center
Insurance
Referral needed
Carrboro
TEACCH's Carrboro office, the closest one for Durham and Chapel Hill families, offers autism evaluations and therapy after a professional referral.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy at home across Raleigh and by telehealth anywhere in North Carolina, with independent BCBAs. North Carolina 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
Alliance Health
Medicaid
Tailored Plan
Innovations waitlist
The public health plan for Tailored Plan members in Wake, Durham and Orange counties. Call to join the NC Innovations Waiver waitlist.
BCBA note
All ages
Wake County Health and Human Services, Medicaid
Medicaid
County program
Apply by phone
The county office where Wake families apply for NC Medicaid online, by phone, by mail or by dropping off a paper application.
BCBA note
All ages
Durham County Department of Social Services, Medicaid
Medicaid
County program
The county office where Durham families apply for NC Medicaid in person, online through ePASS or by fax.
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
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.
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Family Support Network, University Office
Free
Parent to parent
Support groups
The Family Support Network office for Wake, Durham and Orange counties, with free parent-to-parent support, groups and workshops for families of children with special needs.
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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.
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Duke Law Children's Law Clinic
Free
Legal help
Special education
Free legal help from Duke law students for low-income families whose child is not getting the right special education services or faces a long suspension.
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The Arc of NC, Triangle Region
I/DD
Guardianship help
Care management
The disability nonprofit's Raleigh office, which helps people with I/DD and their families with care management, advocacy, housing and guardianship planning.
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School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
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.
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Wake County Public School System Special Education Services
Public school
Spanish line
The Wake County school district's special education office. Call or email Family and Community Connections with questions about evaluations, IEPs and services.
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Ages 3-21
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Exceptional Children
Public school
Preschool screening
Special education for Chapel Hill and Carrboro students ages 3 to 21, plus free preschool screenings and evaluations through the Pre-K Intervention team.
BCBA note
Ages 2-6
Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center
Inclusive preschool
Speech and OT on staff
Raleigh preschool for children with and without disabilities. Through a WCPSS partnership it serves 3 to 5 year olds whose IEP meets Developmental Day criteria.
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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.
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Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
City of Raleigh Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services
City program
Summer camps
Inclusion support
Raleigh Parks programs and summer camps for people with developmental disabilities, plus support so they can join regular city programs.
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Marbles Kids Museum, Sensory Friendly Playtime
Sensory-friendly hours
Free
Registration required
Free evenings when Marbles opens just for kids with disabilities and their families, with a calmer and quieter museum and a lights-up IMAX movie first.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Wake County Public Libraries, Sensory Storytime and Sensory Bags
Sensory storytime
Free
Sensory bags
Wake County libraries run sensory storytimes for families of autistic children and keep sensory bags with headphones and fidgets at every branch.
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Ages 3 months to 12
Big Blue Swim School, Apex
Adaptive swim lessons
Certified instructor
Swim school in Apex with adaptive lessons for children with autism, sensory sensitivities or other accessibility needs, taught by a specially certified instructor.
BCBA note
All ages
Carolina Theatre of Durham, Sensory Friendly Film Series
Sensory-friendly films
Free
Monthly
Free monthly movie screenings in downtown Durham with the lights slightly up and the sound turned down, for autistic kids, adults and their families.
BCBA note
Ages 5+
Miracle League of the Triangle
Adaptive baseball
Volunteer buddies
Three fields
Baseball on accessible fields in Cary, Raleigh and Durham for anyone 5 and older with a diagnosed disability or an IEP or 504 plan.
BCBA note
Museum of Life and Science
Calming room
Sensory kits
TEACCH partner
Durham science museum with a sensory-calming room and cool down kits to borrow, set up with UNC TEACCH for autistic visitors and their families.
BCBA note
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Free admission
Sensory bags
Quiet space
Free state science museum in downtown Raleigh that lends noise-cancelling headphones and sensory bags and holds monthly sensory-friendly events.
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Special Olympics Wake County
Free
Year-round sports
Unified sports
Free year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities across Wake County, with school-based events and Unified teams.
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All ages
Town of Cary Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services
Town program
Inclusion support
Cary Parks programs for people of all ages with disabilities, plus help joining the town's regular programs and events.
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Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Carolina Pediatric Dentistry
Special needs dentistry
Sensory accommodations
Two offices
Raleigh pediatric dentists trained to care for children with special healthcare needs, including autism, with dimmed lights, earplugs or sunglasses when needed.
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Emerge Pediatric Therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Medicaid
Speech, occupational and feeding therapy in Cary, Durham and Carrboro, with sensory processing support and NC Medicaid accepted.
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Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids, Cary
Haircuts
Special needs trained
Kids hair salon in Cary whose stylists are trained to work around each child's needs, including children with special needs or sensory issues.
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Dino Kids Dental of Raleigh
Special needs dentistry
Desensitization visits
Northeast Raleigh children's dentist that plans visits for kids with autism, ADHD or sensory differences, with quieter times, visual supports and practice visits.
BCBA note
All ages
NC Assistive Technology Program, Raleigh Center
Device loans
State program
State program with a Raleigh center where families can see assistive technology in action and borrow devices for a short time.
BCBA note
Raleigh Pediatric Dentistry
Special needs dentistry
North Raleigh
North Raleigh pediatric dental practice that treats infants, children, teens and patients with special healthcare needs.
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WakeMed Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Free screenings
WakeMed's outpatient therapy for kids and teens around Wake County, treating autism, developmental concerns, feeding and speech, with free screenings.
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
Alliance Health Behavioral Health Crisis Line
24/7
Mobile crisis
Youth team
Alliance Health's 24/7 crisis line for Wake, Durham and Orange counties. A clinician decides whether to send a mobile crisis team, including one for children and youth.
BCBA note
Ages 4+
Monarch Wake Behavioral Health Urgent Care
Walk-in
Medicaid
Sliding scale
Walk-in mental health urgent care in Raleigh for children 4 and older and adults in crisis. No appointment is needed, and it is an alternative to the ER.
BCBA note
NAMI Wake County
Free
Family support groups
Helpline
Free mental health support groups, classes and a helpline for Wake County families, including groups for parents and other caregivers.
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Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Adults
Extraordinary Ventures
Job training
Chapel Hill nonprofit
Chapel Hill nonprofit that runs its own small businesses to create jobs for adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
BCBA note
NC Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities, Raleigh Office
Vocational rehab
State program
North Carolina's vocational rehabilitation office in Raleigh. It helps people with disabilities get ready for, find and keep jobs.
BCBA note
Children and adults
Triangle Disability and Autism Services
I/DD
Day program
Respite
Triangle nonprofit for children and adults with I/DD and autism, with day programs, a summer camp, job support and Medicaid-funded help at home.
BCBA note
Ages 16-21
TEACCH T-STEP at Wake Tech
Free
College course
Job readiness
A free UNC TEACCH college course at Wake Tech that helps autistic students ages 16 to 21 get ready for college and work.
BCBA note
Adults 18+
Wake Tech Pathfinder Career Exploration
Job training
Community college
A two-year Wake Tech program for adults with intellectual disabilities who want to prepare for work and keep learning. No disability paperwork is required.
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 Raleigh parents ask
How do I get my child evaluated for autism in Raleigh?
For a child under 3, call the Raleigh CDSA at 919-664-1800, where the evaluation is free. For ages 3 to 5, the WCPSS Child Find Office at 919-431-7700 checks whether your child needs special education. For a medical autism diagnosis, UNC TEACCH Raleigh and the Duke Autism Clinic both evaluate children after a referral.
How do I get on the NC Innovations waiver waitlist in Wake County?
In Wake, Durham and Orange counties you join the NC Innovations Waiver waitlist through Alliance Health at 800-510-9132, and anyone can apply regardless of age, income or insurance. While you wait, ask Alliance about NC Medicaid 1915(i) services, which do not affect your spot on the waitlist.
How do Raleigh families apply for NC Medicaid?
Wake County families can apply online, by phone at 919-212-7000, or by dropping off a paper application at the Swinburne Building or a regional center in Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest or Zebulon. Durham families apply through Durham County DSS on East Main Street or online through ePASS. Alpaca Health verifies North Carolina Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Raleigh?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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