County resource guide
Autism Resources in Davidson County, Tennessee
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Davidson County. Tennessee statewide resources also apply.
Davidson County (Nashville) is home to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — one of the nation's most respected autism programs and a federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. TRIAD at Vanderbilt is internationally recognized for autism assessment and educator training. Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital provides pediatric evaluation services. The Tennessee Disability Coalition is the state's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy. Tennessee requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
School evaluation
Request a School Evaluation
Under IDEA, your school district must evaluate your child for free if you request it in writing. Here’s who to contact in Davidson County:
Metro Nashville Public Schools Special Ed
Serves all of Davidson County (consolidated city-county government).
Contacts verified May 2026 — call to confirm current numbers
Learn how to write your evaluation request →Provider directory
Local Providers34 providers in Davidson County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Davidson County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Nashville
ABS Kids — Nashville
Autism diagnosis and ABA therapy with an East Nashville center at 2710 Old Lebanon Pike serving Davidson County.
Source: https://www.abskids.com/locations/nashville/
Nashville
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental and autism evaluations at Vanderbilt's Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Nashville's premier pediatric facility. Coordinated with TRIAD and the broader Vanderbilt Kennedy Center system.
Nashville · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — TRIAD Autism Program
One of the nation's most respected autism programs. The Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is a federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and a national leader in autism research, evaluation, and educator training. The diagnostic team here is among the most skilled in the South.
Nationally recognized. TRIAD is a gold standard for autism assessment and educator training in the Southeast.
Nashville · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — TRIAD Autism Program
Cheatham County (Ashland City) is a Nashville suburb approximately 25 miles northwest of downtown Nashville. Families have excellent access to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's TRIAD program for gold-standard autism evaluations. Cheatham's suburban position makes it one of the better-positioned rural Tennessee counties for specialty pediatric care.
About 25 miles from Ashland City. One of the best-positioned rural Middle TN counties for Vanderbilt access.
Springfield · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center TRIAD — Robertson County Referrals
Robertson County families in Springfield and Greenbrier are approximately 30 miles from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's TRIAD Autism Program in Nashville — one of the nation's top autism diagnostic and research programs. TRIAD evaluations are worth the drive for Robertson County families.
Springfield is ~30 minutes from Vanderbilt's TRIAD — nationally recognized gold standard.
Lebanon · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center TRIAD — Wilson County Referrals
Wilson County families in Lebanon and Mount Juliet have excellent access to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's TRIAD Autism Program in Nashville, approximately 30 miles west. TRIAD is a nationally recognized gold standard for autism evaluation in the Southeast. Ask your pediatrician for a direct TRIAD referral.
Lebanon is ~30 minutes from Vanderbilt — worth the drive for TRIAD's gold-standard evaluations.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Nashville
ABA Centers of Tennessee — Nashville
Top-rated ABA therapy, autism testing, and diagnosis in Nashville. No long waitlist for autism testing and diagnosis.
Source: https://www.abacenterstn.com
Nashville
Ascend Autism — Nashville
Early intervention ABA therapy with a 5,000-square-foot facility. Full-day, half-day, and after-school programs in Nashville.
Source: https://ascendautism.com/nashville-tn/
Hendersonville · multi-county
Autism Learning Partners — Hendersonville
ABA therapy services in Hendersonville serving Sumner County children. BCBA-supervised in-home and center-based programming. Accepts most commercial insurance under Tennessee's ABA mandate.
Nashville · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Nashville Metro/Cheatham
Hopebridge provides clinic-based ABA therapy through Nashville metro locations accessible to Cheatham County families. Integrated ABA, speech, and OT services. TennCare and commercial insurance accepted under Tennessee's ABA insurance mandate.
Nashville clinic locations are approximately 25 miles from Ashland City.
Nashville
Wellspring Learning Centers
ABA therapy in Nashville for preschool-aged children. Locations in Belle Meade and Antioch serving Davidson County families.
Source: https://wellspringlearningcenters.com
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Tennessee Family Support Program — up to $6,000 a year
Running since 1992 and funded with state money, this is one of the most generous state programs of its kind anywhere: up to $6,000 per person per year for a family supporting someone with a severe disability at home. It is deliberately broad — respite, before and after school care, day care, home and vehicle modifications, specialist equipment, personal assistance, transport, homemaker services, nursing, counseling and summer camp all qualify. Awards depend on local council priorities and available funds, so you may receive less, but the ceiling is real.
Separately, the Family Directed Respite Voucher gives up to $600 a year per household and lets you choose your own respite provider. The two are different programs — ask about both.
~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.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Hendersonville · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Middle Tennessee Network
Autism Tennessee connects Sumner County families in Gallatin and Hendersonville to the broader Middle Tennessee support network, including parent groups, sibling events, and resource navigation services.
Ashland City · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Middle Tennessee Network
Autism Tennessee connects Cheatham County families to the Middle Tennessee peer support network. Nashville-area programming, support groups, and statewide advocacy resources are easily accessible from Ashland City.
Nashville · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Nashville
Tennessee's statewide autism organization with strong Nashville programming. Support groups, family events, resource navigation, and advocacy across Middle Tennessee.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Franklin · multi-county
Support & Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) — Middle TN
Tennessee's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy coaching, training workshops, and one-on-one guidance for Williamson County families navigating special education. Covers the full Middle Tennessee region.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP meeting, evaluation request, or dispute in Tennessee.
Nashville · multi-county
Tennessee Disability Coalition — Family Voices
Tennessee's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Tennessee families statewide. Knows Tennessee's special education rules and procedures.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential before any IEP meeting or dispute in Tennessee.
Autism-friendly dentists
Dentists experienced with autistic patients — desensitisation visits, sensory accommodations, and staff who take the time it takes.
Nashville · multi-county
Meharry ABLE Clinic for Persons with Special Medical Needs
1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Third Floor, Nashville, TN 37208
Meharry Medical College's School of Dentistry runs the ABLE Clinic specifically for people with special medical needs, at fees roughly 50 percent below the Nashville private-practice average. It accepts TennCare and most private insurance. For a family who has been quoted a private sedation-dentistry price, the difference here is substantial.
Appointment only. Open Monday to Thursday 8am to 4pm and Friday morning.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Columbia · multi-county
Maury Magic Riders
Recreational and therapeutic horse riding for people with disabilities including autism. Riding works for many autistic people because the relationship is with the horse rather than with a group.
Nashville
Metro Parks Nashville - disABILITIES programs
Nashville's supervised recreation program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, running for more than 40 years across selected community centers, including adult day programs and sports leagues. Adult provision inside a municipal parks department is unusual and worth knowing about.
Nashville · multi-county
Nashville Dolphins
Free swim lessons and swim team places for children AND adults with special needs including autism. Free, all ages, and swimming - which is both a safety skill and one of the activities that works across the widest range of support needs.
Nashville · multi-county
YMCA of Middle Tennessee - Full Circle
Adaptive swim classes and structured sport - basketball, softball, soccer - for people with diverse abilities across the Middle Tennessee YMCA network.
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.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
Help families find accurate information about your services. Submit your practice for review so parents in this area can better understand their options.
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Davidson County.
School & special education
Services & benefits
- TN DIDD — Davidson County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Nashville/Davidson regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- TN DIDD — Davidson County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Nashville/Davidson regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- TN DIDD — Davidson County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Nashville/Davidson regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Davidson 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 Davidson County
Serving families across Davidson County including Nashville, Goodlettsville, Antioch, Bellevue, Donelson, Hermitage, Madison, Oak Hill, Forest Hills and Berry Hill and more.
See all Tennessee resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Tennessee.
Tennessee state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Davidson County, Tennessee?
We list 22 providers serving Davidson County, covering ABA therapy, diagnostic clinics, parent & family support, activities, clubs & recreation and autism-friendly dentists, 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.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Davidson County?
ABA providers serving Davidson 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.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Davidson County?
1 provider serving Davidson County delivers services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
How do I get a free evaluation for a child under 3 in Davidson County?
Contact Metro Nashville Public Schools Special Ed, the Early Intervention program serving Davidson County. Under Part C of IDEA you can request an evaluation yourself — you do not need a doctor's referral, and the evaluation is free. Contact details are listed in the key contacts section of this page.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Tennessee?
Tennessee families can apply to the Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Around 1,750 waiting — small by national standards, 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 Davidson County?
If none of the Davidson County providers is the right fit, these Tennessee counties currently have the most listed providers: Putnam County (25), Overton County (24), Maury County (23), Wilson County (23). 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 Tennessee
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Davidson County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Davidson 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.
- 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?
- Who has managed an eye exam here?
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 Davidson County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Davidson 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 Davidson 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
Are you a provider serving Davidson County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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