County resource guide
Autism Resources in Bedford, Tennessee
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Bedford. Tennessee statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
11 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Nashville · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — TRIAD Autism Program
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's TRIAD program in Nashville is the primary referral for Bedford County autism evaluations, approximately 50 miles north of Shelbyville via US-231. TRIAD is a nationally recognized program providing comprehensive multi-disciplinary autism assessments. Murfreesboro (Rutherford County, ~25 miles) also has accessible developmental services.
About 50 miles from Shelbyville. Murfreesboro (~25 miles) has community developmental providers with shorter waits.
Nashville · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — TRIAD Autism Program
Lincoln County (Fayetteville, TN) families travel approximately 75 miles north to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville for comprehensive autism evaluations. Huntsville, Alabama (approximately 40 miles south) is also a practical alternative given Lincoln County's position on the Tennessee-Alabama border. Many Lincoln County families access Huntsville Hospital or HudsonAlpha health resources.
Huntsville AL (~40 miles south) is often closer than Nashville. Vanderbilt is the gold standard for TN Medicaid-funded evaluations.
Nashville · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — TRIAD Autism Program
Marshall County (Lewisburg) is approximately 50 miles south of Nashville via I-65. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is the primary academic medical referral for comprehensive autism evaluations. Murfreesboro (Rutherford County, ~35 miles northeast) also has accessible developmental services for Marshall County families.
About 50 miles from Lewisburg. Tennessee Walking Horse country — Shelbyville (Bedford County) and Columbia (Maury County) also have some local services.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Shelbyville
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) — Bedford County
TEIS Part C early intervention for Bedford County children birth to age 3. Free in-home developmental evaluations, IFSP planning, and therapy services in Shelbyville and surrounding communities. Tennessee's Walking Horse capital has a strong rural agricultural identity with limited local clinical infrastructure.
Free under IDEA Part C. Self-refer by phone — no doctor referral required.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Murfreesboro · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Murfreesboro/Bedford
Hopebridge provides clinic-based ABA therapy in Murfreesboro (approximately 25 miles from Shelbyville) serving Bedford County families. Integrated ABA, speech, and OT services in a center-based model. TennCare and commercial insurance accepted.
Murfreesboro is the most accessible ABA clinic hub for Bedford County families.
Franklin · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Nashville/Franklin Area
Hopebridge provides clinic-based ABA therapy in the Franklin/Brentwood area (Williamson County) approximately 35 miles north of Lewisburg, serving Marshall County families. Integrated ABA, speech, and OT services. TennCare and commercial insurance accepted.
Franklin/Brentwood ABA locations are about 35 miles from Lewisburg via I-65.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Shelbyville · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Middle Tennessee Network
Autism Tennessee connects Bedford County families to the Middle Tennessee regional support network. Support groups, family events, and statewide advocacy. Murfreesboro and Nashville-area programming is accessible for most Shelbyville families.
Lewisburg · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Middle Tennessee Network
Autism Tennessee connects Marshall County families to the Middle Tennessee peer support network. Nashville-area programming and support groups are accessible from Lewisburg via I-65. Virtual events serve families across south-central Tennessee.
Fayetteville · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Middle Tennessee/South Network
Autism Tennessee connects Lincoln County families to the Middle Tennessee peer network. Nashville-area programming and virtual statewide events serve families in Fayetteville and surrounding south-central Tennessee communities.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Shelbyville · multi-county
STEP — Support & Training for Exceptional Parents
Tennessee's federally funded PTI at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Free IEP advocacy and special education rights training for Bedford County families statewide. Staff help navigate Bedford County Schools.
FREE. Statewide PTI. Call before any IEP dispute.
Lewisburg · multi-county
STEP — Support & Training for Exceptional Parents
Tennessee's federally funded PTI. Free IEP advocacy for Marshall County families. Staff help navigate Marshall County Schools and understand special education rights. I-65 proximity gives Marshall County families relatively good access to Nashville-based STEP consultations.
FREE. Statewide PTI.
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Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Tennessee.
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