County resource guide
Autism Resources in Franklin, Arkansas
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Franklin. Arkansas statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
9 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Ozark
Mercy Hospital Ozark — Developmental Referrals
Mercy Hospital Ozark serves Franklin County families in the Arkansas River Valley. Developmental screenings and referrals. Fort Smith (~35 miles west) and Russellville (~35 miles east) both offer additional pediatric specialist access for Franklin County.
Russellville · multi-county
Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center — Pediatric Services
Pediatric developmental services at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville. Developmental screenings, referrals, and connection to specialists for Pope County families.
Complex autism evaluations are typically referred to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock (~90 miles away).
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Ozark
First Connections — Franklin County
Arkansas's IDEA Part C early intervention program for Franklin County children under 3. Free developmental evaluations and services delivered in home and community settings in the Ozark area.
Russellville · multi-county
First Connections — Pope County
Arkansas's IDEA Part C early intervention program serving Pope County and the Arkansas River Valley. Free evaluations and services for children under 3 with developmental delays.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Services delivered in home and community settings across Pope County.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Ozark
Hopebridge — River Valley ABA (Franklin County)
ABA therapy for Franklin County families via Fort Smith and Russellville metro providers. BCBA-supervised. Telehealth and in-home options address the rural geography. Accepts Arkansas Medicaid.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Russellville · multi-county
Arkansas Tech University — Communication Disorders Clinic
University training clinic at Arkansas Tech University offering affordable speech-language services for children and adults. Specializes in language delays, AAC, pragmatic language, and autism-related communication.
Reduced-cost services through a university training program.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Ozark
Autism Arkansas — Support & Resources (Franklin County)
Autism Arkansas connects Franklin County families to statewide peer support networks in the Arkansas River Valley corridor between Fort Smith and Russellville.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Ozark
Arkansas PAVE — IEP Advocacy for Franklin County
Arkansas PAVE provides free IEP advocacy for Franklin County families. The Ozark School District and other county districts benefit from this statewide advocacy resource.
Russellville · multi-county
Arkansas SPED Resource Center — Pope County Families
Free IEP advocacy and special education rights support for Pope County families. Arkansas's federally funded PTI center provides one-on-one help navigating the IEP process and dispute resolution.
FREE. Statewide service available by phone and video.
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See all Arkansas resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Arkansas.
Arkansas state guide →