County resource guide
Washington County, Tennessee
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Washington County. Tennessee statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
8 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Johnson City · multi-county
Ballad Health — Johnson City Medical Center Developmental Pediatrics
Johnson City Medical Center (Ballad Health) is the major academic medical center in the Tri-Cities region. Ballad's developmental pediatrics and Niswonger Children's Hospital team provides autism evaluations for Washington County and Northeast Tennessee, serving as the regional hub for families from a broad mountain corridor.
Niswonger Children's Hospital is the Tri-Cities region's premier pediatric autism referral center. Ask for a direct developmental pediatrics appointment.
Elizabethton · multi-county
Sycamore Shoals Hospital — Developmental Referrals (Carter County)
Sycamore Shoals Hospital (Ballad Health) in Elizabethton is Carter County's community hospital. For autism evaluations, Ballad's Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City (~15 miles west) is the regional hub and the primary referral destination for Carter County families.
Niswonger Children's in Johnson City (~15 miles) is the primary autism diagnostic center for Carter County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Johnson City · multi-county
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) — Washington County
TEIS Part C early intervention for Washington County children birth to age 3. Free evaluations, IFSP planning, and in-home therapy services in Johnson City and throughout Washington County.
Free under IDEA Part C. Self-refer by phone — no doctor referral required.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Johnson City · multi-county
Behavioral Innovations — Johnson City
Center-based ABA therapy in Johnson City serving Washington County. BCBA-supervised with naturalistic teaching methods. Accepts most commercial insurance under Tennessee's ABA insurance mandate. One of the Tri-Cities' primary ABA providers.
Tennessee requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Kingsport · multi-county
Tri-Cities Autism Support Network
Community-based support group serving autism families across the Tri-Cities region — Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol (TN and VA). Monthly meetings, parent peer support, and resource sharing for Sullivan County families.
Regional chapter connected to Autism Tennessee statewide network.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Elizabethton · multi-county
Support & Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) — Carter County
STEP's Northeast Tennessee team serves Carter County families with free IEP advocacy and special education rights support. Essential resource for families in rural Carter County navigating the school system.
FREE. Tennessee's federally funded PTI.
Kingsport · multi-county
Support & Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) — Northeast TN
STEP's Northeast Tennessee team serves Sullivan County and the Tri-Cities area. Free IEP coaching, special education rights training, and one-on-one support for families navigating Kingsport City Schools or Sullivan County Schools special education.
FREE. Also useful for families in the Virginia or North Carolina portions of the Tri-Cities area — STEP can advise on Tennessee-side resources.
Johnson City · multi-county
Support & Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP) — Tri-Cities/Washington County
STEP's Northeast Tennessee team serves Washington County families with free IEP advocacy, special education rights training, and one-on-one support navigating Washington County and Johnson City school systems.
FREE. Tennessee's federally funded PTI. Also helpful for families from nearby Southwest Virginia.
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See all Tennessee resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Tennessee.
Tennessee state guide →