Autism Resources in Craighead County, Arkansas
12 providers in Jonesboro and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Craighead County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Craighead County
Diagnostic clinics
2 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Jonesboro, AR · serves several counties
Developmental pediatrics program at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Autism screenings, developmental evaluations, and referrals for Northeast Arkansas families.
Primary pediatric hospital for Northeast Arkansas. Complex cases may be referred to Arkansas Children's Hospital.
The Learning Center of Northeast Arkansas (TLCNEA)
Jonesboro, AR
Nonprofit serving Jonesboro since 1959. Offers comprehensive autism spectrum disorder diagnostics (psychological testing, developmental evaluations, behavioral observations) plus ABA therapy, speech, OT, and physical therapy. Main campus at 2808 Fox Meadow Lane, Jonesboro AR 72404.
Source: https://www.tlcnea.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-diagnostics
Early Intervention (0–3)
2 providersFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
First Connections — Craighead County
Jonesboro, AR · serves several counties
Arkansas's IDEA Part C early intervention program serving Craighead County and Northeast Arkansas. Free evaluations and services for children under 3 with developmental delays.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Services delivered at home or in community settings.
Jumping Jelly Beans Pediatric Therapy
Jonesboro, AR
Pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy for children birth to 21, located at 906 East Matthews Avenue, Jonesboro AR 72401 (Medical Mile near St. Bernards). Serves early intervention and school-age populations across Northeast Arkansas.
Source: https://www.jjbtherapy.com/what-we-offer
ABA therapy
2 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Inner Circle Autism Network – Jonesboro
Jonesboro, AR
Center-based ABA therapy clinic at 820 Professional Acres Drive, Jonesboro AR 72401. Sensory-friendly spaces, parent observation rooms, school-readiness classroom. In-network with most private insurers, ARKids, and Arkansas Total Care.
Source: https://www.innercircleautism.com/about-2/locations/jonesboro-clinic/
Therapeutic Pathways — Jonesboro
Jonesboro, AR · serves several counties
ABA therapy center in Jonesboro serving children and adolescents in Northeast Arkansas. BCBA-led programming, naturalistic teaching strategies, and caregiver training. Accepts Arkansas Medicaid.
Arkansas Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible children. Telehealth may supplement in-clinic sessions for rural families.
Speech therapy
2 providersSpeech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Arkansas State University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic
Jonesboro, AR · serves several counties
University training clinic at Arkansas State University providing affordable speech-language therapy. Services include autism-related communication, AAC, and language delays. Supervised by licensed SLPs.
Reduced-cost services through a university training program. Supervised graduate clinicians.
CME Inc. (Communication Made Easy)
Jonesboro, AR
Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy practice at 151 Southwest Drive, Jonesboro AR 72401. Founded 2001. Staff of 30 therapists across two Northeast Arkansas locations. Accepts all Medicaid options, PASS plans, and commercial insurance. Free transportation available.
Source: https://www.providerspark.com/provider/communication-made-easy-inc-jonesboro-ar-1265658215/
Occupational therapy & sensory
1 providerOccupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Bloom Pediatric Therapy
Jonesboro, AR
Pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy at 1007 Windover Road Suite A, Jonesboro AR 72401. Specializes in autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing, feeding, and handwriting. Accepts Arkansas Medicaid, ARkids, BCBS, UHC, and Cigna.
Source: https://www.bloompediatrictherapy.net/
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Association of Northeast Arkansas (AANEA)
Jonesboro, AR
Local nonprofit at 1702 Stone Street Suite A, Jonesboro AR 72401. Founded 2010. Hosts monthly parent support group (2nd Thursday, 6:30–7:30 pm, Valley View Church of Christ) with childcare. Provides family resources, grants/stipends for conferences, and a lending library.
Source: https://www.yelp.com/biz/autism-association-of-northeast-arkansas-jonesboro
Also serving Craighead County
These 14 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Craighead 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.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Arkansas Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
Statewide, AR · serves several counties
Built specifically for the families the system misses: it exists to meet planned respite needs for unserved and underserved caregivers who have limited access to respite through existing programs, providing financial help to buy it. Arkansas also funds respite through the ARChoices waiver and the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
"Unserved and underserved" is the actual eligibility framing — if you have been turned away elsewhere, that is an argument for this rather than against it.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, AR
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.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, AR
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.
Activities, clubs & recreation
11 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Arkansas Autism Resource & Outreach Center (AAROC)
Little Rock, AR · serves several counties
A statewide autism nonprofit running Family Fun Days that cover the cost of a family day out at the Little Rock Zoo or a community festival, alongside support and direction for families. Removing the cost barrier to an ordinary day out is a small thing that families remember.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, AR
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.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, AR
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.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, AR
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.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, AR
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.
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, AR
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.
See all 11 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, AR
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.
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, AR
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.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, AR
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.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, AR
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.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, AR
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.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Craighead County
Craighead County (Jonesboro) is home to Arkansas State University and a regional hub in northeast Arkansas. St. Bernards Medical Center provides evaluation services. Jonesboro Public Schools provides special education. ADDIE (AR PTI) provides free statewide IEP advocacy. Arkansas State contributes training resources.
Helpful guides
Guides for Craighead 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.
Communities served
Cities in Craighead County
Serving families across Craighead County including Jonesboro, Caraway, Lake City, Bay, Brookland, Bono, Monette, Weiner, Harrisburg and Trumann and more.
See all Arkansas resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Arkansas.
Arkansas state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Craighead County, Arkansas?
We list 12 providers serving Craighead County, covering activities, clubs & recreation, respite care, speech therapy, parent & family support and occupational therapy & sensory, 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 Craighead County accept Medicaid?
3 of the providers we list for Craighead County state that they accept Medicaid, including Bloom Pediatric Therapy, CME Inc. (Communication Made Easy) and Therapeutic Pathways — Jonesboro. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Craighead County?
ABA providers serving Craighead 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.
Are there telehealth autism services for Craighead County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Craighead County offers telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Arkansas?
Arkansas families can apply to the Community and Employment Support (CES) Waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Years — more than 4,500 people waiting, served strictly in date order, 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 Craighead County?
If none of the Craighead County providers is the right fit, these Arkansas counties currently have the most listed providers: Saline County (16), Crawford County (14), Benton County (13), Pulaski County (13). 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 Arkansas
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Craighead County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Craighead 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 Craighead County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Craighead 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 Craighead 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.
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