County resource guide
Autism Resources in Shelby County, Tennessee
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Shelby County. Tennessee statewide resources also apply.
Shelby County (Memphis) is anchored by Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, the dominant pediatric center in the greater Memphis area, for autism evaluations. The Tennessee Disability Coalition provides free IEP advocacy statewide including Shelby County families. Memphis families seeking the highest level of diagnostic expertise often travel to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville.
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 Shelby County:
Shelby County Schools Special Ed
Serves all of Shelby County including Memphis.
Contacts verified May 2026 — call to confirm current numbers
Learn how to write your evaluation request →Provider directory
Local Providers31 providers in Shelby 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 Shelby 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.
Ripley · multi-county
Baptist Memorial Hospital — Lauderdale County Referral
Lauderdale County families in Ripley access developmental and autism evaluation referrals through Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis (~60 miles south) or through Jackson's Pathways of Tennessee. Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis is the primary pediatric evaluation hub.
Memphis (~60 miles south) is the regional hub for comprehensive evaluations.
Memphis
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Comprehensive autism and developmental evaluations at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, the dominant pediatric center in the greater Memphis area. Connected to University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Memphis · multi-county
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis is the primary academic medical referral for Haywood County (Brownsville) autism evaluations, approximately 50 miles west. Le Bonheur's developmental medicine team provides comprehensive autism assessments for West Tennessee agricultural communities.
About 50 miles from Brownsville. Le Bonheur is the standard academic medical referral for West Tennessee autism evaluations.
Somerville · multi-county
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital — Fayette County Referral
Fayette County families in Somerville are approximately 40 miles east of Memphis, making Le Bonheur Children's Hospital the primary autism evaluation destination. Le Bonheur's developmental pediatrics program is the premier pediatric center in the greater Memphis area.
Somerville is ~40 miles east of Le Bonheur in Memphis — the regional autism diagnostic hub.
Memphis · multi-county
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital — Neurology & Developmental Medicine
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis is the primary academic medical center for Tipton County autism evaluations, approximately 30–40 minutes south of Covington. Le Bonheur's developmental medicine team provides comprehensive autism assessments for children across West Tennessee.
About 35 minutes from Covington. Le Bonheur's wait times can be long — ask about their referral network for earlier community evaluations.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Memphis · multi-county
BlueSprig Autism — Memphis Area
BlueSprig provides clinic-based ABA therapy for children with autism in the greater Memphis metro area, accessible to Tipton County families. Individualized ABA programming, naturalistic teaching, and parent training are core components.
Memphis-area clinic. Tipton County families typically commute. Ask about telehealth parent coaching options.
Memphis · multi-county
BlueSprig Autism — Memphis Area (Haywood County)
BlueSprig provides clinic-based ABA therapy in the greater Memphis area serving Haywood County families. Individualized BCBA-supervised programming with TennCare and commercial insurance accepted under Tennessee's ABA insurance mandate.
Memphis-area clinic locations serve Haywood County families. In-home ABA delivery in Brownsville may also be available.
Somerville · multi-county
Centria Autism — Fayette County
In-home ABA therapy serving Fayette County families in Somerville and surrounding rural West Tennessee communities. BCBA-supervised individualized programs accepting TennCare and commercial insurance.
Tennessee requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Memphis
Centria Autism — Memphis
In-home and center-based ABA therapy in Shelby County. BCBA-supervised. Accepts most commercial insurance and Tennessee Medicaid.
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.
Memphis · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — Memphis
Memphis-area programming from Autism Tennessee, including support groups and resource navigation for Shelby County families.
Brownsville · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — West Tennessee Chapter
Autism Tennessee connects Haywood County families to the West Tennessee peer support network and statewide autism resources. Memphis-area programming and virtual events are the primary community connections for families in Brownsville.
Covington · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — West Tennessee Network
Autism Tennessee connects Tipton County families to West Tennessee peer support, family events, and statewide autism programming. The Memphis-area chapter provides the closest in-person programming for Tipton families.
Somerville · multi-county
Autism Tennessee — West Tennessee Network
Autism Tennessee connects Fayette County families to the West Tennessee autism parent network. Support groups in Memphis are the nearest resource; Autism Tennessee provides virtual programming for this rural county.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Somerville · multi-county
Support & Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) — West TN
STEP's West Tennessee team serves Fayette County with free IEP advocacy and special education rights training. Critical resource for families in rural Fayette County navigating Fayette County Schools special education.
FREE. Tennessee's federally funded PTI.
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.
Nashville · multi-county
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center — STEP (Special Education Advocacy)
The Special Education Advocacy Program (STEP) at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is Tennessee's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and direct family support statewide, including Tipton County.
FREE. Tennessee's PTI. Call before any IEP meeting, evaluation dispute, or due process question.
Autism-friendly dentists
Dentists experienced with autistic patients — desensitisation visits, sensory accommodations, and staff who take the time it takes.
Memphis · multi-county
UTHSC College of Dentistry - Special Care Clinic
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center runs a Special Care Clinic in Memphis for people with special health care needs who cannot be treated in an ordinary dental setting. Being turned away by a regular practice is the usual reason families end up here, and it is the right referral rather than a last resort.
Patients are screened before treatment is agreed - call to request the screening appointment.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Memphis · multi-county
Tristate Adaptive Sports Association
Adaptive sport and recreation across west Tennessee, northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas - the main organized route in the Memphis region.
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 Shelby County.
School & special education
Services & benefits
- TN DIDD — Shelby County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Memphis/Shelby regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- TN DIDD — Shelby County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Memphis/Shelby regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- TN DIDD — Shelby County Regional Office
Contact DIDD's Memphis/Shelby regional office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Shelby 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 Shelby County
Serving families across Shelby County including Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, Millington, Arlington, Lakeland, Munford, Brighton and Oakland 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 Shelby County, Tennessee?
We list 19 providers serving Shelby County, covering parent & family support, diagnostic clinics, ABA therapy, advocacy & legal and respite care, 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.
Which autism providers in Shelby County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Shelby County state that they accept Medicaid, including Centria Autism — Memphis. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Shelby County?
ABA providers serving Shelby 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.
Are there telehealth autism services for Shelby County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Shelby County offers telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Shelby County?
3 providers serving Shelby County deliver 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 Shelby County?
Contact Shelby County Schools Special Ed, the Early Intervention program serving Shelby 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 Shelby County?
If none of the Shelby 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 Shelby County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Shelby 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 Shelby County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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