County resource guide
Johnston County, North Carolina
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Johnston County. North Carolina statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
11 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Smithfield
Johnston Health (UNC Health) — Pediatric Developmental Services
Johnston Health, part of UNC Health, provides pediatric care for Johnston County in Smithfield and Clayton. Developmental screenings and autism evaluation referrals are coordinated through their pediatric network. Johnston County is one of North Carolina's fastest-growing counties, with many families commuting to Raleigh — UNC Children's in Chapel Hill is also accessible for comprehensive evaluations.
Johnston County is booming as a Raleigh suburb. UNC Children's and WakeMed are within ~40 miles for specialized evaluations.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Smithfield
Johnston County Early Intervention Program (NC Infant-Toddler)
North Carolina's Part C Early Intervention program for Johnston County. Free in-home developmental evaluations and therapy for children under 3. Johnston County's growth means EI capacity has expanded — contact your pediatrician or call directly for a referral.
FREE under IDEA Part C. No diagnosis required — call as soon as developmental concerns arise.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Goldsboro · multi-county
Autism Learning Partners — Goldsboro
Autism Learning Partners provides center-based ABA therapy in Goldsboro serving Wayne County and surrounding eastern NC communities. BCBA-supervised programming accepts NC Medicaid and commercial insurance. Wayne County has a significant military population from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base — Tricare coverage is available.
Tricare accepted. Wayne County has active military families from Seymour Johnson AFB.
Dunn · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Harnett County
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.
Clayton · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Johnston County
Hopebridge center-based ABA therapy serving Johnston County's rapidly growing population in Smithfield and Clayton. BCBA-supervised with integrated speech and OT services. NC Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted. Johnston County's explosive growth as a Raleigh suburb has created significant ABA waitlists — contact early and maintain your place on multiple waitlists.
Johnston County's rapid growth creates long ABA waitlists. Contact multiple providers and get on waitlists early.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Lillington · multi-county
Autism Society of North Carolina — Harnett County
ASNC programming and support for Harnett County families. Parent support groups, crisis support line, and connection to statewide resources. Harnett County families also connect to the Fort Liberty/Fayetteville autism community given proximity to Cumberland County.
Smithfield · multi-county
Autism Society of North Carolina — Johnston County
ASNC support for Johnston County's growing population. Parent support groups connecting new residents to the community, crisis support line, and connection to Triangle-area autism resources. Johnston County families also access Raleigh-area ASNC programming given their proximity.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Davidson · multi-county
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
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.
Davidson · multi-county
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
NC's federally funded PTI serving Johnston County families at no cost. Free IEP advocacy and IDEA rights training. As Johnston County Schools grows rapidly, ECAC helps families navigate the increasingly complex EC department. Particularly valuable for families new to the area from out of state.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential for families new to NC navigating Johnston County Schools.
Davidson · multi-county
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
NC's federally funded PTI serving Wayne County families with free IEP advocacy and IDEA rights training. Staff understand both civilian and military family needs in Wayne County and can help families navigate Wayne County Schools' EC department.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Military families: IDEA rights are the same at Seymour Johnson-area schools.
Davidson · multi-county
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)
NC's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy for Nash County families. Staff assist with navigating Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools and understanding IDEA rights. Nash County is in eastern NC where rural poverty can limit access to private advocates.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Virtual consultations available for eastern NC families.
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See all North Carolina resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in North Carolina.
North Carolina state guide →