County resource guide
Jones County, Mississippi
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Jones County. Mississippi statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
7 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Hattiesburg · multi-county
Forrest General Hospital — Pediatric Services
Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg serves as the regional medical hub for south-central Mississippi. Pediatric specialists here can initiate developmental screenings and referrals for autism evaluations. Families needing comprehensive diagnostic evaluations are typically referred to UMMC Blair E. Batson in Jackson.
Regional hospital. Comprehensive autism evaluations typically require referral to UMMC in Jackson (~90 miles north).
Laurel
South Central Regional Medical Center — Developmental Pediatrics
South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel is the primary hospital for Jones County in south-central Mississippi. Pediatric developmental screenings and referrals for autism evaluation. Hattiesburg (~55 miles west) provides comprehensive pediatric services. Laurel is also known for the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, reflecting the community's cultural resources.
South-central MS. Hattiesburg (~55 miles west) is the primary comprehensive specialist destination for Jones County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Hattiesburg · multi-county
First Steps — South Mississippi Regional Office
Mississippi's First Steps early intervention program provides free developmental services for children under 3 with disabilities, including autism. The south Mississippi regional office coordinates services for Forrest, Lamar, and surrounding counties.
FREE under IDEA Part C. No income requirement. Refer any child under 3 with developmental concerns.
Laurel
Mississippi First Steps — Jones County
Mississippi First Steps IDEA Part C early intervention for Jones County children under 3. Free speech, OT, and developmental services delivered in the home in the Laurel area.
FREE. Call as soon as developmental concerns arise — early intervention is the most critical first step.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Laurel
Centria Autism — ABA Therapy (Jones County)
Centria Autism provides in-home and telehealth ABA therapy for Jones County families. BCBA-supervised programming. Hattiesburg-area ABA centers are accessible at ~55 miles. Accepts Mississippi Medicaid.
Mississippi Medicaid covers ABA. Hattiesburg ABA providers are the nearest in-person option for Laurel-area families.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Laurel
Autism Society Mississippi — Jones County/Laurel Area
Autism Society Mississippi connects Jones County families to statewide peer support and resource networks. Laurel's south-central location gives families access to both Hattiesburg and Jackson autism family communities.
Contact Autism Society MS for support groups serving south-central Mississippi including Jones County.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Laurel
MPACT — IEP Advocacy for Jones County
MPACT, Mississippi's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy and special education support for Jones County families navigating Laurel and Jones County school districts.
FREE. Statewide by phone and video.
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See all Mississippi resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Mississippi.
Mississippi state guide →