County resource guide
Autism Resources in Alachua County, Florida
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Alachua County. Florida statewide resources also apply.
Alachua County (Gainesville) is home to the University of Florida and UF Health Shands — one of Florida's premier academic medical centers. UF's CARD center serves the North Central Florida region. Alachua County Public Schools provides special education. Family Network on Disabilities (FL PTI) provides free statewide IEP advocacy.
Provider directory
Local Providers35 providers in Alachua 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 Alachua County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Gainesville
UF Health — Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Autism evaluations through UF Health's academic medical center — one of Florida's most comprehensive diagnostic programs. Multi-disciplinary team of developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and neurologists. Connected to UF's research programs and CARD center.
Academic medical center — high-quality comprehensive evaluations. Expect a waitlist; request early.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Starke · multi-county
Early Steps — North Central Florida (Bradford County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Bradford County. Home-based speech, OT, and developmental therapy under IDEA Part C.
FREE if income-eligible. Self-referral accepted.
Trenton · multi-county
Early Steps — North Central Florida (Gilchrist County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Gilchrist County. Speech, OT, and developmental therapy delivered in the home — the only practical EI model for this very rural county.
FREE if income-eligible. Self-referral accepted.
Bronson · multi-county
Early Steps — North Central Florida (Levy County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Levy County. Home-based speech, OT, and developmental therapy under IDEA Part C — the home-based model is the standard in this rural county.
FREE if income-eligible. Self-referral accepted.
Palatka · multi-county
Early Steps — North Central Florida (Putnam County)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention for children birth–3 in Putnam County with developmental delays or autism risk. Speech, OT, PT, and developmental therapy delivered in the home.
FREE if income-eligible; sliding scale otherwise. Self-referral accepted.
Gainesville · multi-county
Early Steps — North Central Florida (Region 3)
Florida's Early Steps program provides free in-home early intervention services for children birth–3 with developmental delays or disabilities, including autism. Services in Alachua County include speech, OT, PT, and developmental therapy delivered where families live.
FREE if income-eligible; sliding scale otherwise. Ask your pediatrician for a referral or self-refer.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Starke · multi-county
Autism Learning Partners — Bradford County (Telehealth)
Telehealth and in-home ABA therapy for Bradford County families. BCBA-supervised with Florida Medicaid accepted. Bradford County's rural setting means telehealth parent coaching is the most accessible ABA model.
Accepts FL Medicaid. Telehealth is the primary model for Bradford County.
Trenton · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — Gilchrist County (Telehealth)
Telehealth and in-home ABA therapy for Gilchrist County families. BCBA-supervised with Florida Medicaid accepted. One of the most rural counties in Florida — telehealth parent coaching is the only realistic ABA model for most families.
Telehealth is the primary ABA delivery model for Gilchrist County. Accepts FL Medicaid.
Bronson · multi-county
Behavioral Health Works — Levy County (Telehealth)
Telehealth and in-home ABA therapy for Levy County families. BCBA-supervised with Florida Medicaid accepted. Levy County's rural setting means local in-person ABA options are extremely limited — telehealth parent coaching is the primary model.
Telehealth is the primary ABA model for rural Levy County. Accepts FL Medicaid.
Gainesville
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Gainesville
Center-based ABA, speech, and occupational therapy in Gainesville. Hopebridge's integrated care model provides BCBA-supervised ABA alongside speech and OT under one roof, reducing the coordination burden for families.
Accepts Florida Medicaid and commercial insurance. Florida law mandates ABA coverage.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Florida ADRC network — respite through the Elder Helpline
Worth knowing before you start looking: Florida has NO state Lifespan Respite Care Program and no state respite voucher scheme, unlike many other states. What exists instead runs through eleven regional Aging and Disability Resource Centers and the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which does cover people caring for a child of any age with a disability. One call to the Elder Helpline screens you against several respite streams at once — the name is misleading, and it is still the right number.
Do not be put off by "Elder" — the helpline screens caregivers of children with disabilities too. Also ask your APD area office what the iBudget waiver funds for respite.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Gainesville · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida
Free state-funded Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at UF, serving Alachua, Marion, Levy, Gilchrist, Dixie, Columbia, Union, Bradford, Putnam, and Flagler counties. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, school support, and professional training at no cost to families.
FREE. State-funded. Home base for UF's CARD — Gainesville families get in-person access.
Starke · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Bradford County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Bradford County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Starke area families at no cost. Bradford County is rural — CARD at UF provides the most comprehensive support.
FREE. State-funded. Telehealth consultation widely available for Bradford County families.
Cross City · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Dixie County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Dixie County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation at no cost. Gainesville is accessible (1 hr east) and is home to UF Health, which provides the best regional evaluation pathway. Telehealth with UF CARD is the recommended first step for Cross City families.
FREE. State-funded. Gainesville/UF Health (1 hr east) is the nearest major provider hub. CARD at UF telehealth is the recommended first step.
Palm Coast · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Flagler County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Flagler County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, school advocacy, IEP support, and community resource navigation for Palm Coast and Bunnell families at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. Flagler is served by UF CARD — request a Flagler County consultant.
Trenton · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Gilchrist County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Gilchrist County through the UF CARD. Family consultation and resource navigation for Trenton area families. Gilchrist is one of Florida's smallest and most rural counties — CARD at UF is the essential first call.
FREE. State-funded. Telehealth consultation is the norm for Gilchrist County families.
Bronson · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Levy County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Levy County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Chiefland, Bronson, and Williston families at no cost. Levy is a very rural county where CARD is the essential first resource.
FREE. State-funded. Levy is rural — CARD at UF is the primary autism resource hub. Telehealth consultation available.
Ocala · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Marion County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Marion County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, school support, and resource navigation for Ocala families at no cost. Marion County is one of Florida's larger rural counties — CARD provides both in-person and telehealth consultation.
FREE. State-funded. Ocala is the regional hub for North Central Florida — CARD at UF serves Marion County as part of a large region.
Palatka · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Putnam County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Putnam County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Palatka and surrounding area families at no cost. Putnam is a rural county with limited local specialty services.
FREE. State-funded. CARD at UF is especially critical in rural Putnam County — call early.
Lake Butler · multi-county
CARD at University of Florida — Union County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Union County through the UF CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation for Lake Butler area families at no cost. Union is one of Florida's smallest counties — CARD at UF is the essential first call and often the only autism-specific resource families access.
FREE. State-funded. Union County is very rural with limited local services — CARD at UF is the critical first resource. Telehealth consultation available.
Gainesville
Family Network on Disabilities — North Central Florida
Florida's federally funded PTI center offering free special education advocacy for Alachua County families. Parent advocates help families understand IDEA rights, navigate IEP meetings, and access disability services.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Parent advocates who have lived the process.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Tallahassee · multi-county
Florida Disabled Outdoors Association
A statewide nonprofit promoting accessible, inclusive outdoor recreation, and a useful route to finding accessible outdoor activity in parts of Florida that have little organized provision.
Clermont · multi-county
Special Olympics Florida
1915 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont, FL 34711
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to athletes or their families, organized by region across the state.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. Worth a direct conversation about fit if your family member is autistic without one.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme 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 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme 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 affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme 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.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
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Helpful guides
Guides for Alachua 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 Alachua County
Serving families across Alachua County including Gainesville, Alachua, High Springs, Newberry, Hawthorne, Micanopy, Waldo, Archer, LaCrosse and Earleton and more.
See all Florida resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Florida.
Florida state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Alachua County, Florida?
We list 23 providers serving Alachua County, covering ABA therapy, advocacy & legal, early intervention (0–3), respite care and activities, clubs & recreation, plus 1 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 Alachua County accept Medicaid?
4 of the providers we list for Alachua County state that they accept Medicaid, including Autism Learning Partners — Bradford County (Telehealth), Behavioral Health Works — Gilchrist County (Telehealth), Behavioral Health Works — Levy County (Telehealth) and Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Gainesville. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Alachua County?
ABA providers serving Alachua 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 Alachua County families?
Yes — 9 providers serving Alachua County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Alachua County?
8 providers serving Alachua 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 Florida?
Florida families can apply to the iBudget Florida Waiver (APD), a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Often 10+ years — one of the longest in the country, 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 Alachua County?
If none of the Alachua County providers is the right fit, these Florida counties currently have the most listed providers: Sarasota County (24), Leon County (23), Manatee County (21), Orange County (20). 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 Florida
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Alachua County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Alachua 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?
- Where do parents here actually talk to each other?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
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 Alachua County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Alachua 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 Alachua 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
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