County resource guide
Lauderdale County, Alabama
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Lauderdale County. Alabama statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
9 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Sheffield · multi-county
Helen Keller Hospital — Developmental Pediatric Referral
Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield provides pediatric care and developmental evaluation referrals for Colbert County and the Muscle Shoals–Sheffield area. Works closely with North Alabama Medical Center in Florence for the broader Shoals region.
North Alabama Medical Center in Florence and Huntsville Hospital are primary specialist referral destinations.
Florence · multi-county
North Alabama Medical Center — Developmental Pediatrics
North Alabama Medical Center in Florence is the primary hospital for the Shoals region, serving Lauderdale and Colbert counties. Provides developmental pediatric services and evaluation referrals for this northwest Alabama community. Huntsville (~90 min) and Nashville, TN (~2 hrs) are the nearest major academic medical centers.
Huntsville Hospital (~90 min east) is the nearest major pediatric specialist hub for the Shoals.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Florence
Alabama Early Intervention System — Lauderdale County
Alabama's IDEA Part C early intervention program for Lauderdale County. Free developmental services for children under age 3 in Florence and across the Shoals area.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Contact Alabama Early Intervention to request evaluation.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Florence · multi-county
Behavioral Innovations — Florence
Center-based ABA therapy in Florence serving Lauderdale County and the Shoals area. BCBA-supervised programming accepts commercial insurance per Alabama's ABA coverage requirements. One of the primary ABA resources for this northwest Alabama region.
Alabama requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Muscle Shoals · multi-county
Centria Healthcare — Muscle Shoals
Center-based ABA therapy in Muscle Shoals serving Colbert County and the Shoals region. BCBA-supervised programming accepts commercial insurance 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.
Muscle Shoals · multi-county
Autism Society of Alabama — Colbert County / Shoals
Parent support and resource network for autism families in Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and across Colbert County. Part of the broader Shoals autism family community alongside Lauderdale County families.
Florence · multi-county
Autism Society of Alabama — Lauderdale County / Shoals Chapter
Parent support group and resource network for autism families in Florence and the Shoals region. Serves families across Lauderdale and Colbert counties and connects them with Huntsville-area specialists and statewide autism resources.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Colbert County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving Colbert County. Free IEP advocacy and training for families in Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia navigating Colbert County and Muscle Shoals City Schools.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all of Alabama.
Birmingham · multi-county
APOWER — Alabama Parent Education Center (Lauderdale County)
Alabama's federally funded PTI serving Lauderdale County. Free IEP advocacy and training for Florence-area families navigating Lauderdale County Schools and Florence City Schools.
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.
Alabama state guide →