Autism Resources in Cumberland County, North Carolina
16 providers in Fayetteville, Greenville and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Cumberland County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Cumberland County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Cape Fear Valley Health — Child Development Center
Fayetteville, NC
Developmental and autism evaluations through Cape Fear Valley's pediatric program, serving Fayetteville and surrounding Cumberland County communities. Coordinates with military family services for Tricare-covered families near Fort Liberty.
Accepts Tricare. Key resource for military families at Fort Liberty (formerly Ft. Bragg).
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
UNC TEACCH Autism Program — Eastern Region
Greenville, NC · serves several counties
TEACCH's eastern North Carolina regional center providing structured teaching consultation, school support, and professional training. Families in Cumberland County can access structured teaching consultations and school team training.
Globally recognized structured teaching model. Serves eastern NC from Greenville; Cumberland families are in service area.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Innovations — Fayetteville
Fayetteville, NC
Center-based ABA therapy in Fayetteville serving Cumberland County children. BCBA-supervised programming accepts most commercial insurance and Tricare under North Carolina's ABA insurance mandate.
Tricare accepted. Serves active-duty and veteran families in the Fort Liberty area.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of North Carolina — Fayetteville Regional Office
Fayetteville, NC
ASNC's regional presence in Fayetteville offering support groups, crisis intervention, adult services, and connection to statewide resources. Experienced with the unique needs of military families navigating autism services through PCS moves.
ASNC staff understand Tricare, EFMP enrollment, and navigating services across military moves.
Also serving Cumberland County
These 24 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Cumberland County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Cape Fear Valley Health — Developmental Referrals (Bladen County)
Elizabethtown, NC · serves several counties
Autism evaluation referral pathway for Bladen County families through Cape Fear Valley Health in Fayetteville. Connects Elizabethtown-area families to comprehensive developmental diagnostics.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Harnett County
Dunn, NC · serves several counties
Hopebridge provides center-based ABA therapy serving Harnett County families. BCBA-supervised with integrated speech and OT services. NC Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted under North Carolina's ABA insurance mandate.
NC Medicaid covers ABA for eligible children. NC requires commercial insurance coverage.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Respite through CAP waivers and the Family Caregiver Support Program
Statewide, NC · serves several counties
Two separate routes in North Carolina. The Community Alternatives Program waivers cover respite as a funded service — CAP/C for children from birth to 20 who need a hospital or nursing facility level of care, and CAP/DA for disabled adults. Separately, the NC Family Caregiver Support Program, run through the Division of Aging, offers respite to unpaid family caregivers and does not require a waiver.
If your child does not meet the CAP/C medical-fragility bar, the Family Caregiver Support Program is the route to ask about instead — different eligibility, different door.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, NC
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, NC
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of North Carolina — Hoke County / Fort Liberty Area
Raeford, NC · serves several counties
ASNC support for Hoke County and Fort Liberty area families. Crisis support line, peer connections, and links to statewide resources. ASNC staff understand Tricare and EFMP navigation for military families moving to or from Hoke County.
Active support for military families near Fort Liberty. Ask about resources for post-PCS transitions.
Advocacy & legal
6 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Davidson, NC · serves several counties
North Carolina's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for NC families. Knows North Carolina's specific special education rules and procedures.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP meeting or dispute.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Davidson, NC · serves several counties
NC's federally funded PTI center providing free IEP advocacy and special education support for Harnett County families. Staff assist families navigating Harnett County Schools and understanding their rights under IDEA.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP meeting or dispute.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Davidson, NC · serves several counties
NC's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy for Sampson County families. Staff help navigate Sampson County Schools' EC department and understand IDEA rights. Telehealth consultations are particularly valuable for rural Sampson County families.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Virtual consultations available for rural families.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Davidson, NC · serves several counties
NC's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy for Robeson County families — one of North Carolina's most economically challenged and diverse counties. Staff serve English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and Indigenous families navigating Robeson County Schools' EC services.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Multilingual support available. Tribal families welcome.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Davidson, NC · serves several counties
NC's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy for Hoke County families — including military families navigating Hoke County Schools after a PCS to Fort Liberty. Staff understand both IDEA rights and the unique challenges of frequent school transitions for military children.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Military families: IDEA rights apply at all Hoke County schools.
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
Davidson, NC · serves several counties
NC's federally funded PTI center. Free IEP advocacy and special education rights support for Bladen County families in Elizabethtown and surrounding rural communities.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Activities, clubs & recreation
12 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Autism Society of North Carolina - recreation programs
Raleigh, NC · serves several counties
Statewide autism nonprofit running recreational activities and social programs alongside support groups, advocacy and training. The main organized route to autism-specific recreation in the state.
North Carolina Adapted Sports
Raleigh, NC · serves several counties
Statewide adapted sport programming - a route into organized competitive sport for young people who want to compete rather than simply take part.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, NC
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, NC
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, NC
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, NC
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
See all 12 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, NC
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, NC
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, NC
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the League Finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, NC
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, NC
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, NC
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
Read the guideFor providers
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School evaluation
Request a School Evaluation
Under IDEA, your school district must evaluate your child for free if you request it in writing. The request goes to your own district — the one you live in. If that is listed below, this is who to call in Cumberland County. If not, ask your district’s special education office; your rights are the same.
Cumberland County Schools — Exceptional Children's Services
Checked against each organization’s own website, September 2026. Numbers change, so confirm when you call.
Learn how to write your evaluation request →About autism services in Cumberland County
Cumberland County — home to Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and Hope Mills — is served by Cape Fear Valley Health for developmental evaluations and by Cumberland County Schools for special education. The large military community at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) means many families are TRICARE beneficiaries; ABA therapy is covered under TRICARE. NC Early Intervention services are available through the county CDSA, and ECAC provides free IEP advocacy statewide. The NC Innovations Waiver waitlist should be joined as early as possible.
Helpful guides
Guides for Cumberland County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
Communities served
Cities in Cumberland County
Serving families across Cumberland County including Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Eastover, Linden, Godwin, Stedman, Wade, Falcon and Vander and more.
See all North Carolina resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in North Carolina.
North Carolina state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Cumberland County, North Carolina?
We list 16 providers serving Cumberland County, covering activities, clubs & recreation, parent & family support, ABA therapy, diagnostic clinics and advocacy & legal, plus 2 more. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Which autism providers in Cumberland County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Cumberland County state that they accept Medicaid, including Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Harnett County. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Cumberland County?
ABA providers serving Cumberland County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Are there telehealth autism services for Cumberland County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Cumberland County offers telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
How do I get a free evaluation for a child under 3 in Cumberland County?
Early intervention for children under 3 in North Carolina is run by Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Early Intervention Section, NC Department of Health and Human Services, not by the school district. You can call (919) 707-5520 to make a referral. Under Part C of IDEA you can request an evaluation yourself — you do not need a doctor's referral, and the evaluation is free. From age 3, evaluations move to your local school district.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in North Carolina?
North Carolina families can apply to the NC Innovations Waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Ten years or longer — and slots are first come, first served, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in Cumberland County?
If none of the Cumberland County providers is the right fit, these North Carolina counties currently have the most listed providers: Wake County (23), Durham County (19), Orange County (19), Alamance County (17). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in North Carolina
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Cumberland County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Cumberland Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in Cumberland County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Cumberland County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in Cumberland County?
If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
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Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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