County resource guide
Washington County, Maine
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Washington County. Maine statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
13 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Machias
Down East Community Hospital — Developmental Referral to Eastern Maine Medical Center
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.
Ellsworth · multi-county
Maine Coast Hospital — Pediatrics
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.
Bangor · multi-county
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center — Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
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)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Ellsworth · multi-county
Child Development Services — Hancock Region
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.
Machias
Maine Child Development Services — Downeast Region
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
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Machias
Arrow Behavioral Health — Telehealth ABA for Downeast Maine
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.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Bangor · multi-county
Acadia Hospital — Child & Adolescent Services
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.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Ellsworth · multi-county
Autism Society of Maine — Downeast Chapter
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.
Bangor · multi-county
Autism Society of Maine — Eastern Maine Chapter
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.
Machias
Autism Society of Maine — Washington County Families
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.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Augusta · multi-county
Maine Parent Federation
Maine's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Maine families statewide. An especially important resource given Maine's limited provider landscape.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Especially critical in Maine where specialized resources are geographically dispersed.
Presque Isle · multi-county
Maine Parent Federation — Northern Maine Outreach
Maine's PTI serving Aroostook County families. Free special education advocacy, IEP support, and family training. MPF reaches northern Maine families by phone, video conference, and periodic in-person visits.
FREE. Critical for isolated Aroostook County families — MPF can provide remote advocacy support when travel isn't feasible.
Machias
Maine Parent Federation — Washington County Support
Maine's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one remote support for Washington County families. In Maine's most remote county, where few local autism specialists exist and travel to Bangor is a half-day commitment, the Maine Parent Federation's remote support services are an essential resource for navigating special education.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Remote support available — no need to travel for assistance.
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Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Maine.
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