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 Providers32 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 by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in DeKalb County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in DeKalb County
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
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.
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.
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 (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.
Also serving DeKalb County
These 22 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list DeKalb County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Center · multi-county
Cherokee Medical Center — Developmental Pediatric Referral
Cherokee Medical Center in Center 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.
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.
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.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
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.
Center · 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.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Searchable by state
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
39 states and DC have been funded
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
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 Center-area families navigating Cherokee County Schools.
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.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
227 programs in 32 states
ACEing Autism
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
About 3,900 camps
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
All 50 states — find your local program
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Local Easterseals across the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
Camps hosted in different towns each year
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder
Little League Challenger Division
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the League Finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
300 leagues — check for one near you
Miracle League
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Nationwide — find your local program
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
Through local soccer clubs
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
Help families find accurate information about your services. Submit your practice for review so parents in this area can better understand their options.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it’s free →
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 →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve DeKalb County, Alabama?
We list 20 providers serving DeKalb County, covering ABA therapy, early intervention (0–3), advocacy & legal, parent & family support and diagnostic clinics, plus 3 more. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Which autism providers in DeKalb County accept Medicaid?
2 of the providers we list for DeKalb County state that they accept Medicaid, including Hopebridge — Albertville and The Therapy Junction. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in DeKalb County?
ABA providers serving DeKalb County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Can autism therapy happen at home in DeKalb County?
4 providers serving DeKalb County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Alabama?
Alabama families can apply to the Intellectual Disabilities (ID) Waiver, Living at Home Waiver and Community Waiver Program, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Multi-year on both established waivers, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in DeKalb County?
If none of the DeKalb County providers is the right fit, these Alabama counties currently have the most listed providers: Shelby County (22), Etowah County (21), Hale County (20), Blount County (19). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in Alabama
You know things we don’t
Still missing from DeKalb County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in DeKalb Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in DeKalb County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in DeKalb County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in DeKalb County?
If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving DeKalb County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →