Autism Resources in Thurston County, Washington
16 providers in Olympia and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Thurston County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Thurston County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Providence Medical Group — Developmental Pediatrics
Olympia, WA
Providence's Olympia-area developmental pediatrics team evaluates children for autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences. Referrals from a primary care provider are typically required. Accepts Apple Health (Medicaid) and most commercial plans.
Ask your pediatrician for a developmental referral to shorten wait times.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Thurston County Birth to Three
Olympia, WA
IDEA Part C Early Intervention services for Thurston County children under 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are free and provided in natural environments — home, childcare, or community settings. No diagnosis required.
FREE under federal law. Request an evaluation as soon as you have concerns — don't wait for a diagnosis.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Learning Tree ABA — Olympia
Olympia, WA · serves several counties
Center- and home-based ABA therapy serving the South Puget Sound region. BCBA-supervised with individualized programming for early learners and school-age children. Washington state insurance mandate requires commercial insurers to cover ABA.
Washington requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Washington — South Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
Local chapter of the Autism Society of Washington offering parent support groups, social events for autistic individuals, and resource navigation in the Olympia/South Sound area.
Advocacy & legal
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Washington PAVE — Thurston County Support
Olympia, WA
Washington PAVE is the state's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP coaching, dispute navigation, and special education training for Thurston County families. Bilingual Spanish support available.
FREE. Serves all Washington counties. The first call before any IEP dispute.
Also serving Thurston County
These 23 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Thurston 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
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Providence Centralia Hospital — Developmental Services
Centralia, WA · serves several counties
Providence Centralia Hospital provides primary care and developmental referrals for Lewis County. For comprehensive autism evaluations, Lewis County families typically access Providence Medical Group in Olympia (~35 miles north) or Seattle Children's.
Ask your pediatrician for a referral to Providence Olympia or Seattle Children's for comprehensive autism evaluations.
ABA therapy
3 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Autism Learning Partners — Tacoma
Tacoma, WA · serves several counties
Center- and home-based ABA therapy serving Pierce County. BCBA-supervised programs for toddlers through teens. Accepts Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) and commercial insurance under Washington's ABA insurance mandate.
Washington requires all commercial insurance plans to cover ABA therapy.
Learning Tree ABA — Lewis County
Chehalis, WA · serves several counties
ABA therapy serving Lewis County through the South Puget Sound region network. Center- and home-based services with BCBA supervision. Washington's insurance mandate requires commercial insurers to cover ABA.
Washington requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Learning Tree ABA — Mason County
Shelton, WA · serves several counties
ABA therapy serving Mason County through the South Puget Sound regional network. Center- and home-based services with BCBA supervision. Washington's insurance mandate requires commercial insurers to cover ABA.
Washington requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Lifespan Respite Washington — voucher program
Statewide, WA · serves several counties
Unpaid family caregivers in Washington can receive up to $1,000 toward respite through contracted agencies across the state, covering in-home respite and adult day services among other options. Lifespan Respite Washington, run through PAVE, helps caregivers through the application rather than leaving them to work it out.
Funded by a federal grant, so availability moves with the funding cycle — apply rather than assume it has run out.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, WA
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, WA
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
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Washington — South Sound/Mason County
Shelton, WA · serves several counties
Mason County autism families connect through the South Sound chapter of the Autism Society of Washington, with resource navigation, peer support, and connection to Olympia and Bremerton-area providers.
Advocacy & legal
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Washington PAVE
Tacoma, WA · serves several counties
Washington State's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and navigation support for families across the state. Knows Washington's special education rules inside out.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. The most important call before any IEP dispute in Washington.
Autism-friendly dentists
1 providerDentists experienced with autistic patients — desensitisation visits, sensory accommodations, and staff who take the time it takes.
UW DECOD Clinic — Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities
Seattle, WA · serves several counties
The University of Washington's long-running clinic for people with developmental and acquired disabilities. DECOD is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country and trains dentists nationally in disability care. Dental school clinics trade time for expertise: appointments run longer because students do the work under supervision, and there can be a wait for a first visit. In exchange you get a team that treats disabled patients every day, usually at a lower cost, and they generally accept Medicaid.
Activities, clubs & recreation
13 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
APEX Summer Camp - UW Autism Center
Seattle, WA · serves several counties
Run by the University of Washington Autism Center for children with autism, ADHD and related conditions, alongside their siblings and peers. Structured activities and recreation aimed at confidence and social skills, with the clinical grounding of a university autism center behind it.
Blue Compass Camps
Puget Sound, WA · serves several counties
Outdoor overnight camps around Puget Sound for young people aged 10 to 18 with Asperger's, autism without an intellectual disability, ADHD, or anyone who would benefit from guided adventure - horse riding, backpacking, kayaking. Aimed precisely at the group that finds disability-specific provision a poor social fit and mainstream camp unsupportive.
Washington Autism Alliance - recreation resources
Redmond, WA · serves several counties
A statewide autism organization maintaining recreation listings alongside advocacy and insurance navigation - useful outside the Puget Sound metro where organized provision is sparse.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, WA
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, WA
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, WA
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.
See all 13 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, WA
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, WA
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, WA
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.
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, WA
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, WA
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, WA
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, WA
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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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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About autism services in Thurston County
Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater) is home to Washington's state capital. MultiCare Capital Medical Center provides evaluation services. Olympia School District provides special education. Washington PAVE provides free statewide IEP advocacy. Washington's DDA and ESIT early intervention support eligible residents.
Helpful guides
Guides for Thurston 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 Thurston County
Serving families across Thurston County including Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, Rainier, Rochester, Bucoda and Grand Mound and more.
See all Washington resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Washington.
Washington state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Thurston County, Washington?
We list 16 providers serving Thurston County, covering activities, clubs & recreation, ABA therapy, parent & family support, respite care and diagnostic clinics, plus 3 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 Thurston County accept Medicaid?
2 of the providers we list for Thurston County state that they accept Medicaid, including Autism Learning Partners — Tacoma and Providence Medical Group — Developmental Pediatrics. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Thurston County?
ABA providers serving Thurston 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 Thurston County?
4 providers serving Thurston 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 Washington?
Washington families can apply to the DDA waivers — Basic Plus, Core, CIIBS, IFS, Community Protection, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Usually none — but enrolling in DDA is not the same as getting services, 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 Thurston County?
If none of the Thurston County providers is the right fit, these Washington counties currently have the most listed providers: King County (20), Pierce County (13), Skagit County (13), Snohomish County (13). 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 Washington
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Thurston County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Thurston 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 Thurston County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Thurston 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 Thurston 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 Thurston County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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