County resource guide
Stone County, Mississippi
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Stone County. Mississippi statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
8 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Wiggins
Hattiesburg-Area Specialists — Accessible from Stone County
Stone County's nearest comprehensive autism evaluation resources are in Hattiesburg (Forrest County, ~35 miles north). Forrest General Hospital and Hattiesburg-area developmental pediatricians serve as the primary referral hub for Stone County families.
Stone County is very rural. Hattiesburg (~35 min north) is the nearest hub for autism evaluation and therapy. No local autism specialists.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Picayune · multi-county
First Steps — Pearl River County
Mississippi First Steps provides free early intervention for Pearl River County children under 3. Services coordinated through the south Mississippi regional office, often delivered in the home.
FREE. One of the most accessible services for rural Pearl River County families with children under 3.
Wiggins
Mississippi First Steps — Stone County
Mississippi First Steps IDEA Part C early intervention for Stone County children under 3. Free speech, OT, and developmental services delivered in the home — one of the few autism-related services available locally in this very rural county.
FREE. Home visit model is essential for rural Stone County families. No income requirement.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Wiggins
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Stone County)
Telehealth ABA therapy for Stone County families in rural south Mississippi. BCBA-supervised remote programming. Accepts Mississippi Medicaid.
Stone County has no local ABA centers. Telehealth or travel to Hattiesburg ABA providers required. Mississippi Medicaid covers ABA.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Wiggins
Autism Society Mississippi — Stone County
Autism Society Mississippi connects Stone County families to statewide peer support networks. The Gulf Coast chapter (Jackson County) and Hattiesburg-area family groups are also accessible given Stone County's geography.
Contact Autism Society MS for support groups. Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg chapters are accessible from Wiggins.
Ocean Springs · multi-county
Autism Society of Mississippi — Gulf Coast Chapter
Support group and resource network for autism families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including Jackson County. Family connections, local events, and resource navigation.
Free. Contact the state chapter to connect with Gulf Coast area groups.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Jackson · multi-county
MPACT — IEP Advocacy for Pearl River County
MPACT, Mississippi's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, serves Pearl River County families navigating IEPs and special education. Free support critical in a rural county with limited local specialists.
FREE. Statewide service by phone and video. Especially valuable for isolated rural families.
Wiggins
MPACT — IEP Advocacy for Stone County
MPACT, Mississippi's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy for Stone County families navigating the Stone County School District. Statewide by phone and video — no travel required.
FREE. One of the most accessible advocacy resources for isolated rural Stone County families.
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See all Mississippi resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Mississippi.
Mississippi state guide →