Autism Resources in Clarke, Mississippi

Quitman

Anderson Regional Medical Center — Clarke County MS Referrals

Clarke County MS families in Quitman (not to be confused with Quitman GA) access specialist care through Meridian (~30 miles west). Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian and UMMC Jackson (~90 miles west) are the primary autism evaluation resources.

Meridian · multi-county

Anderson Regional Medical Center — Pediatrics

Anderson Regional Medical Center is the primary hospital serving Lauderdale County and east-central Mississippi. Pediatricians can provide developmental screening and referrals for autism evaluations. For comprehensive evaluations, families typically travel to UMMC in Jackson (~90 miles west).

Regional hospital. Comprehensive autism evaluations typically require travel to UMMC Jackson (~90 miles) or Children's of Alabama in Birmingham (~130 miles).

Meridian · multi-county

First Steps — East Mississippi Regional Office

Mississippi's First Steps early intervention program serving Lauderdale and surrounding east Mississippi counties. Free services under IDEA Part C for children under 3 with developmental concerns.

FREE. No income requirement. Children in east MS should not delay referral — provider shortages make early coordination critical.

Quitman

Mississippi First Steps — Clarke County

Mississippi First Steps IDEA Part C early intervention for Clarke County children under 3. Free home-based services for Quitman MS and surrounding communities.

Quitman

Ability Tree — Clarke County MS ABA

ABA therapy for Clarke County MS families via Meridian-area providers. BCBA-supervised. Accepts Mississippi Medicaid. Meridian is the nearest ABA hub (~30 miles west).

Meridian · multi-county

Ability Tree — Meridian

ABA therapy services in the Meridian area. BCBA-supervised in-home and community-based therapy for children with autism. Accepts Mississippi Medicaid.

Mississippi Medicaid covers ABA. Rural east MS has limited providers — telehealth consultation may supplement in-person services.

Meridian · multi-county

Telehealth Autism Services — East Mississippi

For Lauderdale County families, telehealth is often the most practical way to access autism-experienced therapists and psychiatrists. Mississippi Medicaid covers telehealth mental health services. Providers like Brightline, Elemy, and Mississippi-based university telehealth programs serve the region remotely.

Telehealth is often the only practical option for autism-experienced mental health support in rural east MS. Mississippi Medicaid covers approved telehealth visits.

Quitman

Autism Society Mississippi — Clarke County

Autism Society Mississippi connects Clarke County families to statewide peer support. Meridian-area chapters are the nearest hub for east Mississippi families.

Quitman

MPACT — IEP Advocacy for Clarke County MS

MPACT, Mississippi's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy for Clarke County families navigating local school districts.

Jackson · multi-county

MPACT — Mississippi Parent Training & Information Center (East MS)

MPACT (Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center) is the state's federally funded PTI, serving all Mississippi families including those in Lauderdale County. Free IEP navigation, school advocacy, and parent training. In a region with few specialized providers, MPACT is an essential ally.

FREE. Statewide service. Call to request advocacy support or attend a training in your region.