County resource guide
Autism Resources in DeKalb County, Alabama
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in DeKalb County. Alabama statewide resources also apply.
DeKalb County (Fort Payne, Rainsville) is in northeast Alabama's Sand Mountain region. DeKalb Regional Medical Center provides services. DeKalb County Schools provides special education. SEAC (AL PTI) provides free statewide IEP advocacy. Families access Huntsville or Gadsden for specialized evaluations.
Provider directory
Local Providers21 providers in DeKalb County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed for accuracy before publication. To suggest a correction, use the “Suggest a correction” link below.
Diagnostic 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.
Scottsboro · multi-county
Jackson County Hospital — Developmental Pediatric Referral
Jackson County Medical Center in Scottsboro provides pediatric care and developmental referrals for northeast Alabama. Families often travel to Chattanooga, TN (~45 min northeast) or Huntsville (~50 min west) for comprehensive autism evaluations, given the proximity to the Tennessee state line.
Chattanooga TN (~45 min) and Huntsville (~50 min) both viable for specialist evaluations.
Guntersville · multi-county
Marshall Medical Centers — Developmental Pediatrics
Marshall Medical Centers in Guntersville provides pediatric developmental services and evaluation referrals for Marshall County families. Located between Huntsville and Birmingham, Marshall County families have reasonable access to major academic medical centers in both cities.
Huntsville (~40 min) and Birmingham (~70 min) both accessible for specialist evaluations.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Fort Payne
Alabama Early Intervention System — DeKalb County
Alabama's IDEA Part C early intervention program for DeKalb County. Free developmental services for children under age 3 in Fort Payne and across northeast Alabama.
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.
Scottsboro · multi-county
Centria Healthcare — Scottsboro
ABA therapy available to Jackson County families. Center-based services may require travel to Huntsville or Chattanooga; in-home ABA is often the most practical option for families in rural northeast Alabama.
In-home ABA most accessible. Consider Chattanooga TN providers for center-based services.
Albertville · multi-county
Hopebridge — Albertville
Center-based ABA therapy in Albertville serving Marshall County families. BCBA-supervised with multidisciplinary approach. Accepts most commercial insurance and Alabama Medicaid per Alabama's ABA coverage requirements.
Alabama requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Fort Payne
The Therapy Junction
Pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy clinic in Fort Payne. Facility includes a therapy gym and dedicated sensory room. Accepts Alabama Medicaid and most BCBS AL plans. Address: 307 Grand Ave NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967.
Source: https://thetherapyjunction.com/fort-payne-clinic
Occupational therapy & sensory
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Fort Payne
Go Play Therapy
Pediatric occupational, speech, and physical therapy clinic in Fort Payne. Founded 2015, with 30+ therapists serving DeKalb County. Explicitly treats patients on the autism spectrum. Multiple Best of DeKalb award winner.
Source: https://alabamafamilycentral.org/service/go-play-pediatric-therapy-center/
Arab
Occupational Therapy Services Inc
Private OT and speech therapy practice established 1996, serving Northeast Alabama including DeKalb County schools and private clients in Fort Payne. Specializes in sensory processing, fine motor, and daily living skills for ages birth to 21. Main office in Arab, AL.
Source: http://www.occupationaltherapyservicesinc.com/about.html
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Fort Payne
Limestone Behavioral Health
Outpatient counseling and psychiatric services in Fort Payne explicitly listing autism among supported diagnoses. Also covers anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and PTSD. Address: 204 Alabama Ave SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967.
Source: https://limestonebehavioralhealth.com/
Fort Payne
Synergy Counseling Center
Evidence-based behavioral health counseling in Fort Payne. Therapists listed on Psychology Today specialize in autism and neurodivergence for children, teens, and adults. Address: 701B Gault Ave N, Fort Payne, AL 35967.
Source: https://synergycounselingcenter.net/services-provided/
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Fort Payne
Autism Society of Alabama — DeKalb County
Parent support and resource network for autism families in Fort Payne and across DeKalb County. Connects northeast Alabama families with local providers and both Alabama and Tennessee statewide resources given proximity to Chattanooga.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
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 (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.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Jackson County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving Jackson County. Free IEP advocacy and training for Scottsboro-area families. Note that some families also access Tennessee PTI resources given proximity to Chattanooga.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Marshall County)
Alabama's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center serving Marshall County. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for families in Guntersville and Albertville navigating Alabama special education.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
For providers
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Helpful guides
Guides for DeKalb County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
See all Alabama resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Alabama.
Alabama state guide →Nearby counties in Alabama
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