County resource guide
Autism Resources in Collier County, Florida
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Collier County. Florida statewide resources also apply.
Collier County (Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee) is in southwest Florida with significant seasonal population. NCH Healthcare System provides evaluation services. Collier County Public Schools provides special education. Family Network on Disabilities (FL PTI) provides free statewide IEP advocacy. Families access Lee County or Miami-Dade providers for specialized care.
Provider directory
Local Providers24 providers in Collier 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 Collier 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.
Naples
NCH Healthcare System — Pediatric Developmental Services
Developmental pediatric evaluations through NCH Healthcare System, Naples' primary nonprofit health system. Autism assessments and behavioral health coordination for Collier County families. NCH serves the Naples, Marco Island, and Bonita Springs areas.
NCH is the main health system in Naples. Expect waitlists — also consider Golisano Children's in Fort Myers for quicker access.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Naples
Centria Autism — Naples
Center-based ABA therapy in Naples with BCBA-supervised programming. Centria is a national provider with structured skill-building and parent training. Collier County has strong insurance parity — Florida's ABA mandate applies.
Accepts Florida Medicaid and commercial insurance. Florida's ABA insurance mandate covers most commercial plans.
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.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Naples
Autism Society of Southwest Florida — Naples Chapter
Parent support network for Naples and Marco Island families. Monthly meetings, family events, and peer connections. Collier County has both affluent Naples families and underserved Immokalee farm-worker families — the chapter works to bridge that gap.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Sarasota · multi-county
CARD at FGCU — Sarasota County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Sarasota County through the FGCU CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, school support, and community resources at no cost to families.
FREE. State-funded. First call for Sarasota families.
Fort Myers · multi-county
CARD at Florida Gulf Coast University
Free state-funded autism resource center at FGCU serving Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, and Monroe counties. Family consultation, school advocacy, and community training at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. First call for Southwest Florida families.
Port Charlotte · multi-county
CARD at Florida Gulf Coast University — Charlotte County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Charlotte County through the FGCU CARD Southwest Florida region. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and community resources for Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda families at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. Charlotte County families often share resources with Lee County — first call for Port Charlotte families.
Naples · multi-county
CARD at Florida Gulf Coast University — Collier County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Collier County through the FGCU CARD. Family consultation, school advocacy, IEP support, and community resources for Naples, Marco Island, and Immokalee families at no cost.
FREE. State-funded. First call for Naples families. Note: Immokalee families may face transportation barriers — CARD can help coordinate.
Moore Haven · multi-county
CARD at Florida Gulf Coast University — Glades County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Glades County through the FGCU CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and resource navigation at no cost. Glades County is one of Florida's least populated and most rural counties — telehealth consultation with CARD at FGCU is the most accessible first resource.
FREE. State-funded. Telehealth critical for Glades County. Fort Myers (1 hr) is the nearest major provider hub. CARD at FGCU telehealth is the recommended first step.
LaBelle · multi-county
CARD at Florida Gulf Coast University — Hendry County Services
Free state-funded autism resource center serving Hendry County through the FGCU CARD. Family consultation, IEP advocacy, and community resources for LaBelle and Clewiston families at no cost. Hendry is one of Florida's most rural counties, with a large farmworker population — CARD provides bilingual (English/Spanish) consultation.
FREE. State-funded. CARD at FGCU offers bilingual (English/Spanish) services — important for Hendry County's large Hispanic farmworker community. First call for LaBelle and Clewiston families.
Naples
Family Network on Disabilities — Collier County
Free special education advocacy for Collier County families through Florida's federally funded PTI. FND assists Naples-area families with IEP meetings, IDEA rights, and access to disability services. Bilingual services available for Immokalee's large Spanish-speaking community.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Bilingual advocates available — important for Immokalee area families.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
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 Collier 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 Collier County
Serving families across Collier County including Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee, Golden Gate, Lely, East Naples, North Naples, Bonita Springs, Ave Maria and Everglades City 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 Collier County, Florida?
We list 12 providers serving Collier County, covering parent & family support, advocacy & legal, ABA therapy, respite care and diagnostic clinics, 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 Collier County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Collier County state that they accept Medicaid, including Centria Autism — Naples. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Collier County?
ABA providers serving Collier 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 Collier County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Collier 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 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 Collier County?
If none of the Collier County providers is the right fit, these Florida counties currently have the most listed providers: Sarasota County (24), Alachua County (23), Leon County (23), Manatee County (21). 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 Collier County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Collier 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 Collier County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Collier 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 Collier 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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Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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