Navigating Autism Services in Atlanta: How to Find the Right Autism Center for Your Family

For families in Atlanta, Georgia, looking for an autism center often feels urgent and overwhelming. Whether you’re seeking an evaluation for the first time, looking for ongoing therapy, or trying to find support as an autistic adult, Atlanta has a wide range of options—but they’re spread across hospitals, private practices, schools, and nonprofits.

This guide explains what an autism center typically offers, how services work specifically in Atlanta, what to look for, and where to start contacting local resources.

What Is an Autism Center?

An autism center is usually a clinic or multi-disciplinary program that focuses on:

• Diagnosis / evaluation for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Therapeutic services (for example, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or applied behavior analysis (ABA))
• Family education and support
• Sometimes school consultation, social skills groups, or life-skills training

In Atlanta, autism-related services are often provided through:

• Major health systems (for example, Emory, Grady, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
• Private therapy practices and clinics
• University-affiliated centers
• Nonprofits and community organizations
• Public-school–based services through Atlanta Public Schools and nearby districts

Not all places that treat autistic individuals use the term “autism center,” so it’s helpful to look at the services offered rather than the name alone.

Common Services Offered by Autism Centers in Atlanta

1. Diagnostic Evaluations

Many families in Atlanta first contact an autism center for a formal evaluation. These evaluations may include:

• Developmental history and caregiver interview
• Standardized assessments of communication, social interaction, and behavior
• Cognitive or learning testing
• Recommendations for school, home, and therapy

In Atlanta, diagnostic services are commonly found at:

• Hospital-based programs (especially for children)
• Neuropsychology or developmental pediatrics clinics
• Some private centers focused on autism and neurodevelopment

Because waitlists can be long, families sometimes join more than one waitlist at different centers.

2. Therapy and Intervention Services

Autism centers in metro Atlanta may offer one or several of the following:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or behavior-based programs
• Speech-Language Therapy (communication, social communication, AAC support)
• Occupational Therapy (OT) (sensory processing, fine motor skills, daily living skills)
• Physical Therapy (PT) if there are motor or balance needs
• Psychological services (counseling, behavior consultation, parent coaching)

Some centers focus heavily on one approach (for example, ABA), while others use a multi-disciplinary model.

3. Services for Autistic Teens and Adults

In Atlanta, support for autistic adults can be more limited than for children, but some centers and programs focus on:

• Diagnostic evaluations for adults
• Counseling or therapy for anxiety, depression, or life transitions
• Social skills or peer support groups
• College support (for example, through disability services at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and other local colleges)
• Job readiness and employment support (sometimes coordinated with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency)

When contacting a center, ask directly if they see adults and what age ranges they serve.

4. Family Support and Education

Many Atlanta-area autism centers and nonprofits offer:

• Parent education workshops
• Caregiver coaching for supporting communication and behavior at home
• Sibling support groups
• Guidance on IEPs and 504 plans in local schools
• Help connecting to state services and benefits

These supports can be as important as direct therapy, especially when navigating complex systems for the first time.

Key Types of Autism Resources in Atlanta

Below is a high-level overview of where Atlanta residents commonly access autism-related care and support.

Where Atlanta Families Commonly Start

Below are some widely recognized entry points and public-facing agencies in the Atlanta area. Listings are informational, not endorsements.

1. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) – Pediatric-Focused Services

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a major hub for pediatric specialty care and often plays a role in autism evaluations and related therapies.

• Main administrative contact (not autism-specific):
  Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  1577 Northeast Expressway
  Atlanta, GA 30329
  Phone: 404-785-5000

Within the CHOA system, families are often referred to:

• Developmental or behavioral pediatrics
• Psychology / neuropsychology services
• Rehabilitation services (speech, OT, PT)

Referrals often come from a primary care pediatrician, so contacting your child’s doctor is usually the first step.

2. Emory University–Affiliated Services

Emory-affiliated clinics in Atlanta provide:

• Neurodevelopmental evaluations
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Adult autism and neuropsychiatric care in some programs

A common downtown/central contact point:

• Emory University Hospital Midtown
  550 Peachtree St NE
  Atlanta, GA 30308
  Main phone: 404-686-4411

Call and ask for assistance reaching neurodevelopmental, psychology, or psychiatry services related to autism, depending on age and needs.

3. Grady Health System – Central Atlanta Option

Grady provides a range of medical and mental health services to Atlanta residents, including many with Medicaid or uninsured.

• Grady Memorial Hospital
  80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: 404-616-1000

Grady can sometimes help with:

• Developmental screening referrals
• Mental health services for autistic teens and adults
• Connection to community supports and social services

4. Public-School Services in Atlanta

If the child is school-aged and lives in the city limits, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) may provide evaluations and services, even if there is not yet a formal autism diagnosis.

• Atlanta Public Schools – Special Education Department
  130 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: 404-802-3500

Families can:

• Submit a written request for an evaluation to their child’s school
• Ask about IEP eligibility under autism or other categories
• Learn which school-based therapies (speech, OT, counseling) are available

Nearby districts such as DeKalb County, Fulton County, Cobb County, and Gwinnett County also provide similar services for residents in those areas of metro Atlanta.

5. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

For state-level developmental disability services, including some autism-related supports:

• DBHDD Region 3 (Metro Atlanta)
  Office contact (central information line for DBHDD):
  Georgia DBHDD
  2 Peachtree St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: 404-657-2252

DBHDD is involved with:

• Developmental disability services and waivers (through programs like COMP or NOW)
• Coordination with local Community Service Boards (CSBs)
• Some support for long-term service planning

Families often work with DBHDD when they need long-term supports, such as residential help or intensive community-based services.

6. Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) – For Teens and Adults

For older teens and adults on the autism spectrum looking for job training or employment support:

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency – Atlanta Area Office (Central)
  2296 Henderson Mill Rd NE, Suite 200
  Atlanta, GA 30345
  Main phone: 404-638-0393

GVRA typically helps with:

• Job coaching and work readiness training
• Support for post-secondary education or training
• Assistance with finding and keeping employment, when eligible

7. Nonprofits and Community Organizations

A variety of nonprofits in Atlanta focus on autism, disability rights, and family support. These groups often provide:

• Support groups (online and in-person)
• Workshops on IEPs, behavior support, and transition planning
• Recreation, social events, or enrichment programs

Families frequently learn about these groups through:

• School social workers or counselors
• Hospital social work departments
• Local parent networks and community centers

Because nonprofit offerings change, calling or checking current program lists is useful.

Paying for Autism Center Services in Atlanta

Costs and coverage vary widely across Atlanta. When you call any autism center or clinic, it helps to ask:

1. What insurance do you accept?

• Many centers accept private insurance plans.
• Some accept Georgia Medicaid / PeachCare for Kids.
• A few may be self-pay only or have sliding scales.

2. Are you in-network with my specific plan?

Insurance networks can differ even within the same company. Ask directly about:

• Your exact plan name
• Copays, deductibles, and prior authorization requirements

3. Do you help with insurance authorization?

Some autism centers in Atlanta have billing or intake staff who assist with:

• Pre-authorization for ABA, speech, or OT
• Explaining what is covered and what is not

4. Are there financial assistance options?

You can ask about:

• Payment plans
• Sliding-scale fees (more common in nonprofits or university clinics)
• Any charity care or assistance programs connected to hospital systems

How to Choose an Autism Center in Atlanta

When comparing centers, it can help to use a simple checklist:

1. Age and Service Fit

• Do they serve infants and toddlers, school-age children, teens, or adults?
• Do they provide diagnostic evaluations, therapies, or both?
• Can they address additional needs (for example, ADHD, anxiety, learning differences)?

2. Approach and Philosophy

Ask how the center:

• Views autism and neurodiversity
• Involves parents, caregivers, or the autistic person in decisions
• Handles behavioral challenges and sensory needs
• Coordinates with schools and other providers

Different Atlanta centers may lean more toward medical, behavioral, or strength-based / neurodiversity-affirming approaches. Choosing one that aligns with your values often makes the process smoother.

3. Location and Transportation

Metro Atlanta traffic and distance matter. Consider:

• How close the center is to your home, work, or school
• Access to MARTA bus or rail, if needed
• Whether you will be attending multiple sessions per week (common with some therapy programs)

Many families try to find centers in or near:

• Downtown/Midtown (central access)
• Decatur / DeKalb
• Sandy Springs / North Atlanta
• Cobb, Gwinnett, or South Fulton depending on where they live

4. Waitlists and Scheduling

In Atlanta, especially for evaluations:

• Waitlists of several months are common.
• Some centers prioritize younger children for early intervention.

Ask:

• How long is the current wait for new patients?
• Do you offer cancellation lists or earlier openings?
• Can any initial services (like parent education) start sooner?

Practical Steps to Get Started in Atlanta

Here is a simple order of steps many Atlanta families follow:

1. Talk to your primary doctor.

   • For children, ask the pediatrician for developmental screening and referrals.
   • For adults, talk with your primary care physician or mental health provider about local options.

2. Contact one or more autism centers or hospital programs.

   • Ask whether they provide diagnostic evaluations, therapy, or both.
   • Clarify ages served, insurance, and current wait times.

3. Reach out to your school district (if school-aged).

   • If you live in the city, contact Atlanta Public Schools about evaluation or IEP services.
   • If you live in another metro county, contact that district’s special education department.

4. Explore state and community supports.

   • Call DBHDD or visit a local Community Service Board if you need long-term supports.
   • For teens and adults seeking work, call GVRA.

5. Connect with at least one local support or information group.

   • Ask hospitals, schools, or community centers about parent groups or autism support groups in Atlanta.
   • These networks often share up-to-date information on which centers have openings and which providers are a good fit.

Tips for Talking With an Autism Center in Atlanta

When you call or email a center, it helps to have:

• Basic information: age, main concerns, any prior evaluations
• Insurance details: card handy when speaking with intake or billing
• Questions written down, such as:
  • How do you determine which services are appropriate?
  • How often are sessions?
  • Do you coordinate with schools or other providers?
  • What can we do while we wait for a full evaluation or opening?

📌 Helpful reminder: If one center’s waitlist is long, it’s common in Atlanta to be on several waitlists at once while also accessing school services, early intervention, or community supports in the meantime.

Living in Atlanta gives you access to a large network of medical centers, therapy practices, schools, and state agencies that can function together like an “autism center” for your family. By starting with your doctor, contacting local clinics, and connecting with public and nonprofit resources, you can build a support system that fits your needs right here in Atlanta.