County resource guide
Autism Resources in Rutherford County, Tennessee
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Rutherford County. Tennessee statewide resources also apply.
Rutherford County — home to Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and La Vergne — is one of Tennessee's fastest-growing counties, southeast of Nashville. Families benefit from access to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital for specialized evaluation. Rutherford County Schools provides special education across an expanding district. TEIS serves children under 3, and STEP provides free IEP advocacy statewide.
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 Rutherford County:
Rutherford County Schools Special Ed
Serves all of Rutherford County including Murfreesboro.
Contacts verified May 2026 — call to confirm current numbers
Learn how to write your evaluation request →Provider directory
Local Providers33 providers in Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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.
Murfreesboro · multi-county
Middle Tennessee Autism Center — Murfreesboro
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
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
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center's TRIAD program in Nashville is the primary referral for Cannon County autism evaluations, approximately 55 miles northwest of Woodbury. Murfreesboro (Rutherford County, ~20 miles) also has accessible developmental services and ABA providers.
Murfreesboro (~20 miles) has closer community developmental services for Cannon County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
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.
Murfreesboro · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Murfreesboro/Cannon
Hopebridge provides clinic-based ABA therapy in Murfreesboro (~20 miles from Woodbury) serving Cannon County families. Integrated ABA and therapy services in a center-based model. TennCare and commercial insurance accepted.
Murfreesboro is the primary ABA clinic hub for Cannon County families.
Murfreesboro · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — ABA Outreach Murfreesboro
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Murfreesboro · multi-county
Step by Step Pediatric Therapy — Speech Murfreesboro
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.
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.
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.
Murfreesboro · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Rutherford County Support Group
Woodbury · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Upper Cumberland/Cannon Network
Autism Tennessee connects Cannon County families to the Middle Tennessee and Upper Cumberland support network. Virtual programming and Murfreesboro-area events are the primary community connections for families in Woodbury.
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.
Woodbury · multi-county
STEP — Support & Training for Exceptional Parents
Tennessee's federally funded PTI. Free IEP advocacy for Cannon County families. Staff help navigate Cannon County Schools and understand Tennessee's special education rights. Phone and virtual support serve this small, rural county.
FREE. Statewide PTI.
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.
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?
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Rutherford County.
School & special education
Services & benefits
- TN DIDD — Rutherford County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Murfreesboro/Rutherford regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- TN DIDD — Rutherford County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Murfreesboro/Rutherford regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- TN DIDD — Rutherford County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Murfreesboro/Rutherford regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Rutherford 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 Rutherford County
Serving families across Rutherford County including Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Eagleville, Rockvale, Walter Hill, Lascassas, Readyville, Christiana and Midland 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 Rutherford County, Tennessee?
We list 21 providers serving Rutherford County, covering parent & family support, ABA therapy, autism-friendly dentists, diagnostic clinics and activities, clubs & recreation, plus 4 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 Rutherford County?
ABA providers serving Rutherford 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.
How do I get a free evaluation for a child under 3 in Rutherford County?
Contact Rutherford County Schools Special Ed, the Early Intervention program serving Rutherford 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 Rutherford County?
If none of the Rutherford 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 Rutherford County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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
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