Autism Resources in Washington County, Maine
12 providers in Machias and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Washington County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Washington County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Down East Community Hospital — Developmental Referral to Eastern Maine Medical Center
Machias, ME
Down East Community Hospital in Machias is the primary hospital for Washington County, Maine's most remote coastal county. For autism and developmental evaluations, the hospital connects families to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor — a drive of approximately 90 miles. Telehealth developmental screenings are available, and families on coastal islands may have ferry-dependent access timelines.
Bangor (~90 min) is the nearest specialist center. Island families should account for ferry schedules. Telehealth screening is available as a first step.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Maine Child Development Services — Downeast Region
Machias, ME
Child Development Services serves Washington County through the Downeast Region, providing free early intervention for children birth to age 3. Services are delivered in the home or community, which is especially important in this remote coastal county where traveling to specialist offices is a major burden. Island families should discuss access needs when enrolling.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Home-based services mean no travel burden. Island families: discuss scheduling and access when contacting CDS.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Arrow Behavioral Health — Telehealth ABA for Downeast Maine
Machias, ME
Washington County is among Maine's most geographically isolated regions, with in-person ABA nearly impossible to access locally. Arrow Behavioral Health provides telehealth-first ABA services via MaineCare, making consistent applied behavior analysis therapy accessible for families throughout Downeast Maine regardless of distance from urban centers or ferry schedules.
Telehealth ABA is the primary realistic option in Washington County. MaineCare accepted. Island families: services delivered via video — no ferry required.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Maine — Washington County Families
Machias, ME
The Autism Society of Maine connects Washington County families to online and statewide support groups, resource navigation, and family events. In Maine's most isolated county — where in-person autism community resources are nearly absent — the statewide online network is the primary source of peer support and connection for many families.
Online support groups are especially critical for Washington County's geographic isolation. Island families welcome.
Also serving Washington County
These 20 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Washington 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.
Maine Coast Hospital — Pediatrics
Ellsworth, ME · serves several counties
Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth is the primary hospital serving Hancock County. Pediatric services provide initial developmental screenings; families needing full autism evaluations are typically referred to Bangor or Portland.
Hancock County families often travel to Bangor (1+ hour) for full developmental evaluations. Maine Medical Center (Portland) is 3+ hours.
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center — Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Bangor, ME · serves several counties
Northern Light EMMC is the largest hospital in northern and eastern Maine, serving Penobscot County and a vast rural catchment area. Its child psychiatry and developmental programs provide autism evaluations and assessments for families from Bangor through Aroostook County.
Primary hospital serving northern and eastern Maine. Expect waitlists — Bangor is the hub for most of rural Maine.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Child Development Services — Hancock Region
Ellsworth, ME · serves several counties
IDEA Part C Early Intervention for children 0–3 in Hancock County. Free evaluations and services delivered in home and community settings across the county.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Coastal geography means some families face long travel times. In-home services help reduce this barrier.
Mental health
1 providerTherapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Acadia Hospital — Child & Adolescent Services
Bangor, ME · serves several counties
Acadia Hospital in Bangor provides outpatient mental health services to Hancock County families, including therapy and psychiatric support for autistic children and adolescents with co-occurring anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges.
Hancock County families often travel to Bangor for specialty mental health services. Telehealth options may be available.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
NAMI Maine Family Respite — and the Respite for ME pilot
Statewide, ME · serves several counties
The route most relevant to autism families is the NAMI Maine Family Respite Program, which provides certified providers to care for children with significant developmental delays and behavioral or emotional disorders so that caregivers can get a break. Separately, Respite for ME is a state pilot run with the five Area Agencies on Aging offering caregiver grants. Maine's children's behavioral health services also fund respite directly.
Maine is mid-transition on its waivers — ask about respite under the new Lifespan waiver rather than by the old Section 21 and 29 numbers.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, ME
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, ME
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
2 providersParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Maine — Downeast Chapter
Ellsworth, ME · serves several counties
Autism Society of Maine chapter serving Downeast Maine including Hancock and Washington counties. Provides peer support, family resource navigation, and local events for this rural coastal region.
Contact the Autism Society of Maine statewide to connect with local Downeast supports.
Autism Society of Maine — Eastern Maine Chapter
Bangor, ME · serves several counties
Local chapter of the Autism Society of Maine based in the Bangor area. Offers family support groups, social events, and resource navigation for Penobscot County and surrounding communities.
Contact statewide Autism Society of Maine to connect with the local Bangor chapter.
Activities, clubs & recreation
11 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Camp CaPella
Dedham, ME · serves several counties
Recreation and education for children and adults with disabilities aged five and up, on Phillips Lake at Dedham with full accessible access to the water for swimming, boating and fishing.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, ME
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, ME
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, ME
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, ME
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, ME
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.
See all 11 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, ME
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.
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, ME
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, ME
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, ME
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, ME
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 Washington County
Washington County (Machias, Calais, Eastport) is Maine's easternmost county — the Downeast coast bordering New Brunswick, Canada — with very limited local healthcare. Families requiring autism evaluations must travel to Bangor or Portland — several hours for some communities. Washington County schools provide special education. Maine Parent Federation provides free statewide IEP advocacy. Telehealth is the primary means of accessing therapy services here.
Helpful guides
Guides for Washington 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 Maine resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Maine.
Maine state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Washington County, Maine?
We list 12 providers serving Washington County, covering mental health, ABA therapy, parent & family support, activities, clubs & recreation and early intervention (0–3), plus 2 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.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Washington County?
ABA providers serving Washington 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 Washington County families?
Yes — 3 providers serving Washington 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 Washington County?
2 providers serving Washington 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 Maine?
Maine families can apply to the Sections 21 and 29 — transitioning to the new Lifespan waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Section 29's waiting list has ended; both are closing to new enrollment, 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 Washington County?
If none of the Washington County providers is the right fit, these Maine counties currently have the most listed providers: Waldo County (14), Franklin County (13), Hancock County (12), Androscoggin County (11). 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 Maine
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Washington County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Washington 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 Washington County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Washington 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 Washington 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
Are you a provider serving Washington County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →