Autism Resources in Wake County, North Carolina

Raleigh

ABS Kids — Raleigh

Autism diagnosis and individualized ABA therapy throughout Wake County, developing treatment plans with Raleigh families.

Source: https://www.abskids.com/locations/raleigh-durham/

Durham · multi-county

Duke University Medical Center — Developmental Pediatrics (Franklin NC Referrals)

Franklin County (Louisburg) is on the Research Triangle fringe, giving families relatively easy access to both Duke University Medical Center in Durham (~35 miles) and UNC Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill (~45 miles). Duke's developmental pediatrics team is a top-tier resource for autism evaluations in the Triangle region.

Duke is about 35 miles from Louisburg. UNC Children's in Chapel Hill (~45 miles) is the alternative — both are world-class.

Chapel Hill · multi-county

UNC TEACCH Autism Program — Chapel Hill (Durham-area Families)

The flagship UNC TEACCH center at Chapel Hill is the birthplace of structured teaching for autism, just minutes from Durham. World-renowned diagnostic evaluations, adult services, and school consultation. One of the most consequential autism programs ever created.

The original TEACCH center. World-class — expect a waitlist.

Raleigh

UNC TEACCH Autism Program — Raleigh

One of the world's most respected autism programs. TEACCH at UNC pioneered structured teaching approaches used globally. The Raleigh center offers evaluations, consultation, and professional training. A gold standard in autism assessment.

Internationally recognized. One of the most respected diagnostic and treatment programs in the world.

Raleigh

WakeMed Children's — Developmental Pediatrics

Developmental pediatric evaluations at WakeMed, serving Raleigh and Wake County families. Coordinated with Wake County Public Schools and local therapy providers.

Louisburg · multi-county

Autism Learning Partners — Franklin County NC

ABA therapy for Franklin County families through the Raleigh and Durham metro areas, approximately 35–50 miles from Louisburg. BCBA-supervised with NC Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted. Franklin County's Triangle fringe location gives families more provider choices than many rural NC counties.

NC Medicaid covers ABA for eligible children. The Research Triangle's dense provider network is accessible for most Franklin County families.

Raleigh

Behavior Frontiers — Raleigh

In-home and center-based ABA therapy in Wake County. BCBA-supervised with naturalistic approach. Accepts most commercial insurance under NC's ABA mandate.

Cary

Cortica — Cary

Comprehensive autism therapy and neurodevelopmental care with formal evaluations and ongoing therapy in Cary/Wake County.

Source: https://www.corticacare.com/locations/nc/cary

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.

Statewide · multi-county

Respite through CAP waivers and the Family Caregiver Support Program

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.

~3,000 providers nationwide

ARCH National Respite Locator

A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.

Most states run one

Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program

Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.

Louisburg · multi-county

Autism Society of North Carolina — Franklin County/North Triangle

ASNC support for Franklin County families in Louisburg. Parent support groups, crisis support line, and connections to the Triangle-area autism community. Franklin County families have relatively easy access to Raleigh and Research Triangle ASNC programming.

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.

Raleigh

Autism Society of North Carolina — Raleigh (HQ)

ASNC headquarters in Raleigh. Full range of services including a statewide crisis support line, adult day programs, housing assistance, and the most comprehensive autism resource network in North Carolina.

ASNC is one of the strongest state autism organizations in the country. Adults and families.

Davidson · multi-county

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC)

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.

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 providing free IEP advocacy for Franklin County families in Louisburg. Staff help families navigate Franklin County Schools. Franklin County's proximity to the Triangle brings more resources but also higher family expectations — ECAC helps ensure the IEP delivers what students are entitled to.

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

Davidson · multi-county

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) — Wake County

NC's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, providing free IEP advocacy and special education support to Wake County families. ECAC staff can review evaluations, explain IDEA rights, and attend IEP meetings virtually.

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

Chapel Hill · multi-county

UNC Henson Geriatric and Special Care Clinic

Part of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, treating patients who are medically, physically or developmentally compromised. The school sees a large share of Medicaid, uninsured and underinsured patients, which matters when special-care dentistry is otherwise a private-pay proposition. Be aware this clinic takes patients by referral only - you will need your dentist or physician to send you.

Referral only. Ask your current dentist or pediatrician to refer rather than calling cold.

Raleigh · multi-county

Autism Society of North Carolina - recreation programs

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.

Charlotte · multi-county

Camp Blue Skies

2820 Selwyn Ave, Box 767, Charlotte, NC 28209

A camp exclusively for adults aged 21 and over with developmental disabilities, built around physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and social skills. Adult-only provision is genuinely scarce, and for many families this is the first thing that exists after school services end.

Moncure · multi-county

Camp Royall

Run by the Autism Society of North Carolina at Moncure, and one of the largest autism-specific camps in the country. Crucially it runs year-round rather than only in summer, with weekend and short programs alongside residential sessions, so it is not a once-a-year opportunity you have to win a place in.

Raleigh · multi-county

Miracle League of the Triangle

Youth and adult baseball each spring and autumn for people with disabilities, non-competitive with volunteer coaches. Adult leagues are unusual and worth knowing about.

Raleigh · multi-county

North Carolina Adapted Sports

Statewide adapted sport programming - a route into organized competitive sport for young people who want to compete rather than simply take part.

200+ locations nationwide

ACEing Autism

Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.

~4,000 camps nationwide

American Camp Association — camp finder

A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.

Nationwide — find your local chapter

Best Buddies

One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.

A national programme 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 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.

Local affiliates across most of the country

Easterseals — camps and recreation

Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.

A national programme 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 affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.

Week-long camps hosted nationwide

iCan Shine (iCan Bike)

Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.

Local chapters in a number of US cities

KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)

Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.

900+ divisions nationwide

Little League Challenger Division

Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.

A national programme 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.

200+ communities

Miracle League

Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.

Every state — county-level programs

Special Olympics

Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.

Through local clubs and state associations

TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)

The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.