Autism Resources in Heard County, Georgia
16 providers in Franklin, LaGrange and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Heard County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Heard County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
WellStar West Georgia Medical — LaGrange Hub for Heard County
LaGrange, GA · serves several counties
Heard County families in Franklin (GA) access autism evaluations through LaGrange (Troup County, about 20 miles south). WellStar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange is the primary hospital hub, with specialist referrals to Atlanta for complex cases.
LaGrange (20 miles) is the practical hub for Heard County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Babies Can't Wait — Heard County
Franklin, GA · serves several counties
Georgia's Part C Early Intervention program for Heard County infants and toddlers (birth to 3). Free evaluations and IFSP services for children in the Franklin area with developmental delays or autism risk.
FREE through age 3. Very rural county — services are often home-based.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Health Works — West Georgia Telehealth ABA
Franklin, GA · serves several counties
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy via telehealth for Heard County and the rural west Georgia region. Given Heard County's very rural character, telehealth is often the most practical ABA access path. Georgia ABA insurance mandate applies.
Georgia mandates ABA coverage. Telehealth is critical for rural Heard County families.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Georgia — West Georgia Outreach
Franklin, GA · serves several counties
Autism Society of Georgia family support for Heard County and the rural west Georgia region. Peer connection, resource navigation, and community events for Franklin-area families.
Also serving Heard County
These 24 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Heard County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Diagnostic clinics
2 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Piedmont Newnan — Developmental Pediatrics
Newnan, GA · serves several counties
Piedmont Newnan Hospital's developmental pediatrics program serves Coweta County families with autism evaluations and developmental assessments. Located 35 miles southwest of Atlanta, this Piedmont Health affiliate offers access without the Atlanta commute.
Tanner Health System — Carrollton Hub for Haralson County
Carrollton, GA · serves several counties
Tanner Health System in Carrollton (Carroll County, adjacent to Haralson) serves as the primary healthcare hub for Buchanan-area families. Developmental pediatric referrals and autism evaluations are accessible through Tanner or the Atlanta metro.
Carrollton (20 miles) is the hub. Atlanta metro also accessible for specialized evaluation.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Babies Can't Wait — Coweta County
Newnan, GA · serves several counties
Georgia's Part C Early Intervention program serving Coweta County infants and toddlers (birth to 3) with developmental delays or autism risk. Free evaluations, IFSP development, and therapy coordination through the state's BCW network.
FREE through age 3. Call immediately — do not wait for a formal diagnosis.
ABA therapy
4 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Health Works — West Georgia ABA
Buchanan, GA · serves several counties
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Haralson County and the west Georgia region. In-home and telehealth options available for rural Buchanan-area families. Georgia's ABA insurance mandate ensures coverage for most commercial plans.
Georgia mandates ABA coverage for commercial insurance.
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Carrollton
Carrollton, GA · serves several counties
Hopebridge provides center-based ABA therapy in Carrollton serving Carroll County and surrounding west Georgia families. BCBA-supervised with integrated speech and OT services. Georgia Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted under Georgia's ABA insurance mandate.
Medicaid accepted. Georgia requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — LaGrange
LaGrange, GA · serves several counties
Hopebridge provides center-based ABA therapy in LaGrange serving Troup County families. BCBA-supervised with integrated speech and OT services. Georgia Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted under Georgia's ABA insurance mandate.
Medicaid accepted. Georgia requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Lighthouse Autism Center — West Georgia In-Home ABA
Greenville, GA · serves several counties
In-home ABA therapy for Meriwether County children. BCBA-supervised. Accepts Georgia Medicaid and commercial insurance for families in west Georgia.
Georgia requires Medicaid to cover ABA therapy for eligible children with autism.
Occupational therapy & sensory
1 providerOccupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Children's Therapy Works — Newnan
Newnan, GA · serves several counties
Pediatric occupational and speech therapy clinic in Newnan serving Coweta County children with autism, sensory processing differences, and developmental delays. Sensory integration approach with experienced pediatric therapists.
Georgia requires ABA and therapy coverage for most commercial insurance.
Respite care
2 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, GA
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, GA
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
3 providersParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Georgia — Coweta / West Metro
Newnan, GA · serves several counties
Autism Society of Georgia family support serving the Coweta County area. Parent support groups, community events, and resource navigation for families in Newnan and the southwestern Atlanta suburbs.
Autism Society of Georgia — West Georgia / Troup County
LaGrange, GA · serves several counties
Autism Society of Georgia programming and support for Troup County families. Parent support groups, connection to statewide resources, and advocacy with the Georgia General Assembly. Helps families navigate limited rural provider options in west Georgia.
Autism Society of Georgia — West Georgia Chapter
Buchanan, GA · serves several counties
Autism Society of Georgia family support for Haralson County and the west Georgia region. Peer support groups, resource navigation, and community events for the Buchanan-Carrollton area.
Advocacy & legal
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Parent to Parent of Georgia
Atlanta, GA · serves several counties
Georgia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center: a statewide nonprofit supporting families and individuals from birth to 26 affected by disabilities or special health care needs, including help with special education.
Activities, clubs & recreation
10 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, GA
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, GA
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, GA
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program 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 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, GA
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program 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 locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, GA
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, GA
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
See all 10 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, GA
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program 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. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, GA
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, GA
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, GA
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Heard County
Heard County — home to Franklin — is a small rural county in west-central Georgia near Alabama. Provider availability is very limited; families travel to Carrollton, LaGrange, or the Atlanta metro for most autism evaluation and therapy. The West Central Georgia Community Service Board coordinates publicly funded DD services and waiver access. Georgia's Babies Can't Wait provides EI for children under 3, and Parent to Parent of Georgia offers free statewide IEP advocacy.
Helpful guides
Guides for Heard 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.
See all Georgia resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Georgia.
Georgia state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Heard County, Georgia?
We list 16 providers serving Heard County, covering parent & family support, early intervention (0–3), ABA therapy, occupational therapy & sensory and advocacy & legal, 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 Heard County accept Medicaid?
3 of the providers we list for Heard County state that they accept Medicaid, including Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Carrollton, Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — LaGrange and Lighthouse Autism Center — West Georgia In-Home ABA. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Heard County?
ABA providers serving Heard 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 Heard County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Heard 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 Heard County?
3 providers serving Heard 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 Georgia?
Georgia families can apply to the New Options (NOW) and Comprehensive Supports (COMP) Waivers, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Needs-based, not date-based — position depends on assessed need, 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 Heard County?
If none of the Heard County providers is the right fit, these Georgia counties currently have the most listed providers: Bibb County (23), Carroll County (19), Cobb County (17), Dawson County (17). 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 Georgia
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Heard County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Heard 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 Heard County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Heard 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 Heard 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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