County resource guide
Bay County, Florida
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Bay County. Florida statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
5 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Panama City
HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital — Pediatric Services
Pediatric services through HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital in Panama City. Developmental screenings and autism referrals for Bay County families. For comprehensive evaluations, families often travel to Tallahassee or Pensacola.
For full autism evaluations, consider FSU CARD telehealth or traveling to Tallahassee Memorial or Sacred Heart Pensacola.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Panama City · multi-county
Autism Learning Partners — Bay County (Telehealth)
In-home and telehealth ABA therapy for Bay County families. Given the post-Hurricane Michael provider shortage, telehealth ABA parent coaching is a lifeline for many Panama City families. BCBA-supervised with strong emphasis on parent-implemented strategies.
Telehealth available statewide. Bay County families should ask specifically about in-home and telehealth options. Accepts FL Medicaid.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Pensacola · multi-county
CARD at University of West Florida
Free state-funded autism resource center serving the Florida Panhandle — Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Franklin, Liberty, and Gadsden counties. Family consultation, school advocacy, and professional training at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. The primary autism resource hub for the entire Panhandle. Critical first call for Pensacola families.
Panama City · multi-county
CARD at University of West Florida — Bay County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Bay County through the UWF CARD Panhandle region. Family consultation, school advocacy, and community resources for Panama City and surrounding areas. Bay County is still rebuilding from Hurricane Michael — CARD helps families navigate a resource-sparse environment.
FREE. State-funded. Bay County resources remain thin post-Hurricane Michael. CARD is the essential first call.
Panama City
Family Network on Disabilities — Bay County
Free special education advocacy for Bay County families through Florida's federally funded PTI center. FND helps families navigate post-disaster school disruptions, IEP rights, and disability services in a county still recovering from Hurricane Michael.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Post-Hurricane Michael school disruptions make FND especially valuable here.
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See all Florida resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Florida.
Florida state guide →