Orange County, North Carolina

Chapel Hill

UNC Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics

Comprehensive autism and developmental pediatrics at UNC Children's Hospital, part of UNC Health. Academic medical center team with developmental pediatricians, neuropsychologists, and psychiatrists. Serves the Triangle region and beyond. A top resource for Orange County families and one of NC's premier academic children's hospitals.

Academic medical center. Strong for complex cases, research, and adult autism. Serves Orange and Triangle-area counties.

Chapel Hill

UNC TEACCH Autism Program — Chapel Hill (Headquarters)

The global headquarters of the TEACCH Autism Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One of the world's most respected and longest-running autism centers, TEACCH provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, structured teaching consultation, and professional training. An essential resource for Orange County families and a gold standard of autism care.

World headquarters. Internationally recognized program — worth the waitlist. Complex and adult evaluations accepted.

Chapel Hill

Orange County Early Intervention Program (NC Infant-Toddler)

North Carolina's Part C Early Intervention program through the CDSA for Orange County. Free in-home developmental evaluations and therapy for children under 3. Given Orange County's university community, BCW staff are experienced with families who may also be accessing UNC research studies.

FREE under IDEA Part C. Call as soon as developmental concerns arise — do not wait for a diagnosis.

Chapel Hill · multi-county

Autism Learning Partners — Chapel Hill

Center-based and in-home ABA therapy in Chapel Hill serving Orange County families. BCBA-supervised with naturalistic approaches tailored to each child. NC Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted under North Carolina's ABA insurance mandate.

NC Medicaid covers ABA for eligible children. NC requires commercial insurance to cover ABA.

Burlington · multi-county

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Burlington

Hopebridge provides center-based ABA therapy in Burlington for Alamance 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 therapy for eligible children. NC requires commercial insurance coverage.

Pittsboro · multi-county

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Chatham County

Hopebridge provides ABA therapy serving Chatham County families. BCBA-supervised with integrated speech and OT services. NC Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted under NC's ABA insurance mandate. Chatham County's growing population includes many families with connections to the Research Triangle's university community.

NC Medicaid covers ABA. NC requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.

Pittsboro · multi-county

Autism Society of North Carolina — Chatham County

ASNC support for Chatham County families connected to the Triangle area autism community. Parent support groups, crisis support line, and connection to statewide ASNC resources. Chatham County's location between Raleigh and Chapel Hill gives families access to both the Triangle metro autism networks.

Davidson · multi-county

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)

NC's federally funded PTI center serving Alamance County families with free IEP advocacy, IDEA rights training, and one-on-one support. Staff assist families navigating Alamance-Burlington School System's EC processes and dispute resolution.

FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP meeting or dispute.

Davidson · multi-county

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)

NC's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center serving Orange County families with free IEP advocacy and special education rights training. Staff help families navigate Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools — two distinct districts with different special education cultures.

FREE. Federally funded PTI. Orange County has two separate school districts — ask ECAC which applies to your address.

Davidson · multi-county

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)

NC's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy and special education support for Chatham County families. Staff help navigate Chatham County Schools and understand rights under IDEA. As Chatham County grows rapidly, more families are navigating special education for the first time.

FREE. Federally funded PTI. Serves all NC counties.