Autism Resources in Newton, Mississippi

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).

Decatur

Newton Regional Hospital — Developmental Referrals

Newton Regional Hospital in Decatur serves Newton County in east-central Mississippi. Meridian (Lauderdale County, ~30 miles east) and Jackson (~70 miles west) both provide accessible specialist hubs. Newton County's I-20 location improves access compared to many rural Mississippi counties.

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.

Decatur

Mississippi First Steps — Newton County

Mississippi First Steps IDEA Part C early intervention for Newton County children under 3. Free speech, OT, and developmental services delivered in the home in Decatur and surrounding areas.

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.

Decatur

Ability Tree — Meridian (Newton County Access)

Newton County families access ABA therapy through Meridian-area providers (~30 miles east). Ability Tree in Meridian provides BCBA-supervised in-home and community-based ABA. Mississippi Medicaid covers ABA.

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.

Decatur

Autism Society Mississippi — Newton County

Autism Society Mississippi connects Newton County families to statewide peer support networks. I-20 access connects Decatur families to both Jackson and Meridian autism communities.

Decatur

MPACT — IEP Advocacy for Newton County

MPACT, Mississippi's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy for Newton County families. The Decatur School District and other county schools are served by this statewide resource.

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.