County resource guide
Autism Resources in Shelby, Kentucky
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Shelby. Kentucky statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
13 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Louisville · multi-county
Norton Children's Hospital — Autism Evaluation Program
Comprehensive autism evaluations at Norton Children's Hospital, Louisville's premier pediatric hospital. Multi-disciplinary team serving Jefferson County and the greater Louisville metro.
Louisville's dominant pediatric program. Ask about their community-based evaluation referrals.
Shelbyville · multi-county
Norton Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics (Shelby County Referral)
Shelby County families in Shelbyville are 30 miles east of Louisville, giving direct access to Norton Children's Hospital — the premier autism evaluation center in western Kentucky. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.
Taylorsville · multi-county
Norton Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics (Spencer County Referral)
Spencer County families in Taylorsville are within 30 miles of both Louisville and Lexington, giving them access to two major autism evaluation centers. Norton Children's in Louisville is the primary referral destination.
New Castle · multi-county
Norton Children's Hospital — Henry County Referral Pathway
Henry County (New Castle) is ~35 miles northeast of Louisville, providing strong access to Norton Children's Hospital for comprehensive autism evaluations. The Louisville metro's full pediatric specialty network is readily accessible for Henry County families.
Louisville metro (~35 mi west) provides strong access to full pediatric specialty network.
Frankfort · multi-county
UK HealthCare — Kentucky Children's Hospital (Franklin KY)
As Kentucky's state capital, Frankfort (Franklin County) has excellent access to UK HealthCare in Lexington (approximately 25 miles). UK's developmental pediatrics program provides comprehensive autism evaluations and is the primary specialist hub for Franklin County families.
Frankfort is 25 miles from Lexington. Norton Children's Louisville also accessible.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Shelbyville · multi-county
Kentucky First Steps — Shelby County Early Intervention
Free early intervention for Shelby County children under 3. Shelbyville's proximity to Louisville means families have access to an above-average density of contracted First Steps providers.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Shelbyville · multi-county
Hopebridge — ABA Therapy (Shelby County / Louisville Metro)
Hopebridge provides center-based and in-home ABA therapy for Shelby County families, with clinics accessible via Louisville metro. BCBA-supervised programs accepted by Kentucky Medicaid and most commercial insurers.
Frankfort · multi-county
Hopebridge — Frankfort ABA Therapy
Frankfort's capital-city location and I-64 access support ABA therapy options including Hopebridge and other Lexington-affiliated providers. Center-based ABA with BCBA supervision is accessible for Franklin County families between the two major metro areas.
Kentucky requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Frankfort · multi-county
Autism Society of Kentucky — Bluegrass Capital Network (Franklin)
The Autism Society of Kentucky serves Franklin County families with statewide peer support and access to Lexington-area programming. Frankfort's central location makes both Lexington and Louisville ASK chapters accessible.
Louisville · multi-county
Autism Society of Kentucky — Louisville
Kentucky's statewide autism organization with active Louisville programming. Support groups, resource navigation, and family events across Jefferson County.
Shelbyville
Autism Society of Kentucky — Shelby County
Autism Society of Kentucky support for Shelby County families. Louisville chapter events and support groups are easily accessible from Shelbyville, just 30 miles west.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Shelbyville · multi-county
KY-SPIN — Shelby County IEP Advocacy
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Shelby County families. KY-SPIN serves all 120 Kentucky counties; Shelbyville families can also access Louisville-area advocacy resources.
Taylorsville · multi-county
KY-SPIN — Spencer County IEP Advocacy
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Spencer County families. KY-SPIN serves all of Kentucky; Spencer County's proximity to Louisville also provides access to additional advocacy organizations.
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