County resource guide

Okaloosa County, Florida

Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Okaloosa County. Florida statewide resources also apply.

Local providers

6 listed

Diagnostic clinics

Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.

Fort Walton Beach

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital — Pediatric Services

Pediatric services through HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. Autism referrals and developmental screenings for Okaloosa County families. More complex evaluations often require travel to Pensacola or Tallahassee.

Ages 0–18(850) 862-1111

For comprehensive autism evaluations, consider traveling to Studer Family Children's in Pensacola or requesting telehealth options.

ABA therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.

Fort Walton Beach · multi-county

Behavioral Health Works — Okaloosa County

In-home and telehealth ABA therapy serving military and civilian families in Okaloosa County. The large TRICARE-eligible military population near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field means many providers here accept both TRICARE and Florida Medicaid.

Ages 2–18

TRICARE accepted — important for the large military population at Eglin and Hurlburt. Also accepts FL Medicaid.

Niceville

TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration — Eglin Area

Active-duty military families at Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field access ABA therapy through the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration (ACD). The ACD covers applied behavior analysis at no cost to eligible military families. Contact TRICARE to find network ABA providers near Fort Walton Beach.

Ages 0–20Accepting new patients(844) 866-9378

For military families only. If your sponsor is active duty, this is your ABA pathway — not 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.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(850) 474-2560

FREE. State-funded. The primary autism resource hub for the entire Panhandle. Critical first call for Pensacola families.

Fort Walton Beach · multi-county

CARD at University of West Florida — Okaloosa County Services

Free state-funded autism resource center serving Okaloosa County through the UWF CARD Panhandle region. Family consultation, school advocacy, and resource navigation for Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Destin families.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(850) 474-2560

FREE. State-funded. Resources are thinner in the Panhandle — CARD at UWF is especially important here.

Fort Walton Beach

Family Network on Disabilities — Okaloosa County

Free special education advocacy for Okaloosa County families. FND helps military families navigating school transitions and IEP transfers across district lines — a common challenge near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(850) 474-3391

FREE. Federally funded PTI. Special expertise in IEP portability for military families who move frequently.

For providers

Be the first featured provider in Okaloosa County

Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in Okaloosa County see you first.

Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it's free →

See all Florida resources

Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Florida.

Florida state guide →