County resource guide
DeKalb County, Alabama
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in DeKalb County. Alabama statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
13 listedDiagnostic 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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See all Alabama resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Alabama.
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