County resource guide
Cherokee County, Alabama
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Cherokee County. Alabama statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
14 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Centre · multi-county
Cherokee Medical Center — Developmental Pediatric Referral
Cherokee Medical Center in Centre provides primary care and developmental referrals for Cherokee County. For autism evaluations, families typically access Gadsden (Etowah County, ~30 min west) or Huntsville (~70 min northwest). Cherokee County's position between Gadsden and Chattanooga means both Alabama and Tennessee specialists may be practical options.
Gadsden (Etowah County, ~30 min) and Huntsville (~70 min) are the nearest specialist hubs. Chattanooga TN is also accessible.
Fort Payne · multi-county
DeKalb Regional Medical Center — Developmental Pediatric Referral
DeKalb Regional Medical Center in Fort Payne provides pediatric services and developmental referrals for northeast Alabama's DeKalb County. Families often travel to Chattanooga, TN (~45 min north) or Birmingham (~90 min south) for comprehensive autism evaluations, given the proximity to Tennessee.
Chattanooga, TN (~45 min north) is a viable option for specialist evaluations due to proximity.
Gadsden · multi-county
Gadsden Regional Medical Center — Pediatric Services
Gadsden Regional Medical Center provides pediatric services for Etowah County and the Coosa River valley. Families can access developmental screenings and referrals for autism evaluations here before pursuing specialist evaluations in Birmingham.
Anniston · multi-county
Regional Medical Center Anniston — Developmental Pediatrics
Regional Medical Center Anniston (RMC) provides pediatric developmental services and evaluation referrals for Calhoun County. Anniston is a post-military community following Fort McClellan's 1999 closure; RMC serves as the primary hospital for the area.
Former Fort McClellan community. Birmingham (~80 min) accessible for specialist evaluations at Children's of Alabama.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Centre
Alabama Early Intervention System — Cherokee County
Alabama's IDEA Part C early intervention program for Cherokee County. Free developmental services for children under age 3 in Centre and across this northeast Alabama county.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Contact Alabama Early Intervention to request evaluation.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Fort Payne · multi-county
Achieve Beyond — Fort Payne
ABA therapy services for DeKalb County families. Center-based services may require travel to Huntsville or Chattanooga; in-home ABA is often the most practical option in this northeast Alabama rural county. Accepts commercial insurance per Alabama's ABA mandate.
In-home ABA often most accessible. Chattanooga TN providers also an option for center-based services.
Gadsden · multi-county
Achieve Beyond — Gadsden
ABA therapy services in the Gadsden area for children on the autism spectrum. Provides in-home and center-based ABA with BCBA supervision, serving Etowah County families.
Alabama requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Centre · multi-county
Centria Autism — Cherokee County (Alabama)
In-home ABA therapy serving Cherokee County. BCBA-supervised programming accepting commercial insurance per Alabama's ABA mandate. Home-based delivery is the primary model for this rural northeast Alabama county between Gadsden and the Tennessee state line.
Alabama requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Centre
Autism Society of Alabama — Cherokee County
Parent support and resource network for autism families in Centre and across Cherokee County. Connects families with Gadsden-area resources and statewide autism society programming.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Calhoun County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving Calhoun County. Free IEP advocacy and training for Anniston-area families navigating special education in Calhoun County Schools and Oxford City Schools.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Cherokee County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving Cherokee County. Free IEP advocacy and training for Centre-area families navigating Cherokee County Schools.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Cleburne County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving Cleburne County. Free IEP advocacy and training for Heflin-area families navigating special education in Cleburne County Schools.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (DeKalb County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving DeKalb County. Free IEP advocacy and training for Fort Payne-area families navigating DeKalb County Schools. Note that some families may also access Tennessee PTI resources given proximity to Chattanooga.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
Gadsden · multi-county
Coosa Valley Arc
The Coosa Valley Arc serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Etowah County. Provides advocacy, community inclusion programs, and family support for Gadsden-area families raising autistic children and adults.
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See all Alabama resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Alabama.
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