Marion County, Florida

Ocala

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital — Pediatric Developmental Services

Developmental pediatric services through HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, the primary health system in Marion County. Autism evaluations and behavioral health referrals for Ocala area families. For comprehensive evaluations, families also access UF Health Gainesville (1 hr).

For comprehensive autism evaluations, UF Health Gainesville (1 hr) and Nemours Children's are recommended. HCA Ocala can coordinate referrals.

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.

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.

Ocala · multi-county

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Ocala

Center-based ABA, speech, and occupational therapy in Ocala serving Marion County. Hopebridge's integrated autism therapy model provides BCBA-supervised ABA alongside speech and OT under one roof.

Accepts Florida Medicaid and commercial insurance. Ocala has a growing provider base as the county's population expands.

The Villages · multi-county

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Sumter County

Center-based ABA, speech, and occupational therapy serving Sumter County. Hopebridge has expanded into Central Florida — The Villages area families benefit from a growing provider base. BCBA-supervised with insurance and Medicaid accepted.

Accepts Florida Medicaid and commercial insurance. Florida's ABA insurance mandate covers most commercial plans.

Ocala

Autism Society of Florida — Marion County Chapter

Parent support network for Ocala and Marion County families of autistic children and adults. Monthly meetings, family social events, and resource connections in North Central Florida's largest inland city.

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.

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.

Ocala

Family Network on Disabilities — Marion County

Free special education advocacy for Marion County families through Florida's federally funded PTI. FND helps Ocala families navigate IEP processes, understand IDEA rights, and connect to regional disability services.

FREE. Federally funded PTI.