Autism Resources in Washington County, Tennessee
11 providers in Johnson City and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Washington County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Washington County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Ballad Health — Johnson City Medical Center Developmental Pediatrics
Johnson City, TN · serves several counties
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.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) — Washington County
Johnson City, TN · serves several counties
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.
Also serving Washington County
These 21 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Washington County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Diagnostic clinics
4 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Laughlin Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Greeneville, TN · serves several counties
Laughlin Memorial Hospital in Greeneville is the primary hospital for Greene County. Autism evaluations typically route to Ballad Health's Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City (~30 miles northeast) for comprehensive assessment.
Johnson City (~30 miles) is the regional hub for comprehensive autism evaluations.
Sycamore Shoals Hospital — Developmental Referrals (Carter County)
Elizabethton, TN · serves several counties
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.
Sycamore Shoals Hospital — Johnson County Referral
Mountain City, TN · serves several counties
Johnson County families in Mountain City access developmental and autism evaluation services primarily through Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton (~25 miles south) or Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City (~35 miles south) within the Ballad Health network.
Johnson City (~35 miles south) is the nearest comprehensive autism evaluation center for Johnson County families.
Unicoi County Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Erwin, TN · serves several counties
Unicoi County Memorial Hospital in Erwin provides basic care and developmental referrals for Unicoi County. Autism evaluations typically route to Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City (~15 miles north) within the Ballad Health system.
Johnson City (~15 miles north) is the primary autism evaluation hub for Unicoi County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) — Greene County
Greeneville, TN · serves several counties
TEIS Part C early intervention for Greene County children birth to age 3. Free evaluations, IFSP planning, and in-home therapy in Greeneville and throughout Greene County.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Self-refer by phone — no doctor referral required.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Tennessee Family Support Program — up to $6,000 a year
Statewide, TN · serves several counties
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.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, TN
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, TN
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
2 providersParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Tennessee — Tri-Cities / Unicoi County
Erwin, TN · serves several counties
Autism Tennessee connects Unicoi County families to the Tri-Cities autism support network. Johnson City is just 15 miles north; Erwin families can access Tri-Cities area parent support groups and statewide resources.
Tri-Cities Autism Support Network
Kingsport, TN · serves several counties
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
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP)
Greeneville, TN · serves several counties
Tennessee's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free help for families of children and youth with disabilities, birth to 26: understanding special education, IEP and 504 plans, and one-on-one support. Offices in Greeneville, Nashville and Memphis.
Activities, clubs & recreation
10 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, TN
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, TN
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, TN
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program 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 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, TN
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program 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 locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, TN
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, TN
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
See all 10 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, TN
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program 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. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, TN
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, TN
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, TN
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Washington County
Washington County — home to Johnson City and Jonesborough — is in the Tri-Cities region of northeast Tennessee. Johnson City Medical Center (Ballad Health) and East Tennessee State University's Quillen College of Medicine provide important medical and training resources. Washington County Schools provides special education. TEIS serves children under 3. STEP provides free IEP advocacy statewide, and ETSU's pediatric programs support local provider capacity.
Helpful guides
Guides for Washington 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.
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 Washington County, Tennessee?
We list 11 providers serving Washington County, covering parent & family support, diagnostic clinics, advocacy & legal, early intervention (0–3) and respite care. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Washington County?
2 providers serving Washington 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.
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 Washington County?
If none of the Washington County providers is the right fit, these Tennessee counties currently have the most listed providers: Davidson County (21), Maury County (20), Putnam County (20), Wilson County (20). 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 Washington County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Washington 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.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- 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?
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 Washington County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Washington 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 Washington 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.
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