Autism Resources in Kemper, Mississippi

De Kalb

Anderson Regional Medical Center — Kemper County Referrals

Kemper County families in De Kalb access hospital care through Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian (~30 miles west) and through Children's of Alabama in Birmingham (~90 miles east). This border county has options in two directions for specialist care.

Kemper County borders Alabama. Birmingham's Children's of Alabama is ~90 miles east and serves as an alternative to UMMC Jackson for some families.

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.

De Kalb

Mississippi First Steps — Kemper County

Mississippi First Steps IDEA Part C early intervention for Kemper County children under 3. Free speech, OT, and developmental services delivered in the home in De Kalb and surrounding communities.

De Kalb

Ability Tree — Telehealth ABA (Kemper County)

Telehealth ABA therapy for Kemper County families in east Mississippi. BCBA-supervised remote programming. Accepts Mississippi Medicaid. Alabama ABA providers in Birmingham may also be accessible.

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.

De Kalb

Autism Society Mississippi — Kemper County

Autism Society Mississippi connects Kemper County families to statewide peer support networks. This border county's families can also connect with Alabama autism communities.

De Kalb

MPACT — IEP Advocacy for Kemper County

MPACT, Mississippi's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy for Kemper County families. Mississippi IDEA governs school services regardless of access to Alabama medical providers.

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.