Marcus Autism Center on Briarcliff Road in Atlanta: What Families Need to Know

If you’re searching for “Marcus Autism Center Briarcliff Road Northeast Atlanta GA,” you’re likely trying to find autism services, evaluations, or support for a child in the Atlanta area. This guide walks through what the Marcus Autism Center is, how the Briarcliff Road location fits into Atlanta’s care landscape, and what local families can realistically expect.

Where Is Marcus Autism Center on Briarcliff Road?

The main Marcus Autism Center campus is located in northeast Atlanta, in the Druid Hills / Emory area:

Marcus Autism Center – Main Campus
1920 Briarcliff Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone (main line): often listed publicly; call or check current information through Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta or the center’s main directory.

This location is just northeast of downtown Atlanta and is convenient to:

• I-85 (via North Druid Hills Road)
• Emory University and the CDC area
• Neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Decatur, Brookhaven, and Tucker

Most Atlanta families who mention “Marcus Autism Center Briarcliff Road” are referring to this main site.

What Marcus Autism Center Is (and Is Not)

Marcus Autism Center is widely known in the Atlanta region as a specialized center for children with autism and related developmental differences. It generally focuses on:

• Evaluation and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions
• Therapy and treatment services for children and sometimes adolescents
• Behavioral support and caregiver training
• Feeding, communication, and developmental programs

It is not:

• A general pediatric office
• An emergency care facility
• A walk-in urgent care clinic

Most services require referrals, intake paperwork, and scheduled appointments. For families in Atlanta, it is often considered a “destination” provider for more complex developmental and behavioral needs.

Services Commonly Associated with the Briarcliff Road Location

Specific offerings can change over time, but families in Atlanta typically seek the following types of support at the 1920 Briarcliff Road NE site:

1. Diagnostic Evaluations

Many Atlanta parents come to Marcus to ask:
“Does my child have autism?” or “What is going on developmentally?”

Common evaluation-related services may include:

• Comprehensive autism evaluations
• Developmental assessments for communication, social skills, and behavior
• Assessments for younger children (toddler and preschool ages) and, in some cases, school-age children

These evaluations are often in-depth and can involve multiple appointments, standardized tools, and observations.

2. Therapy and Treatment Programs

Depending on age and need, Briarcliff-based programs may involve:

• Applied behavior analysis–style approaches or other structured behavioral therapies
• Parent and caregiver training, focusing on strategies to support behavior and communication at home
• Language and communication support for non-speaking or minimally verbal children
• Support around social skills, daily routines, and school-related behavior

Not every child will be eligible for every program. Intake and screening determine which services may be appropriate.

3. Feeding and Mealtime Support

Some Atlanta families are referred to Marcus Autism Center for feeding difficulties, including:

• Extreme food selectivity
• Refusal to eat certain textures or entire food groups
• Mealtime behavior that makes nutrition and growth difficult to manage at home

These services are typically specialized and may involve coordinated care between behavior specialists and medical providers.

Getting to Marcus Autism Center on Briarcliff Road

Driving and Parking

The Briarcliff Road location sits in a busy but accessible corridor of northeast Atlanta.

Common approaches:

• From I-85 North or South:
  • Exit at North Druid Hills Road, head toward Briarcliff Road, then turn onto Briarcliff heading toward Emory/Atlanta.
• From Emory / CDC / Druid Hills:
  • Use Briarcliff Road NE heading north; the center is along this corridor.

Parking is typically in a designated lot near the building. Families should:

• Allow extra time for traffic, especially during morning and late afternoon
• Plan to arrive early to handle parking, check-in, and paperwork

Transit and Rideshare

Public transportation options can be limited depending on your starting point, but some families use:

• MARTA bus routes that run along Briarcliff or nearby major roads
• Rideshare services for long evaluation days so one adult can focus on the child and another on navigation

If you rely on MARTA or paratransit, it can help to:

• Call the center ahead of time to verify the exact entrance and best drop-off location
• Plan for extra transfer time and delays

How to Start the Process as an Atlanta Family

For most Atlanta-area parents, accessing services at Marcus Autism Center typically involves several steps.

1. Get a Referral (If Required)

Many insurance plans and specialized clinics require a referral from:

• Your pediatrician
• A family doctor
• Another specialist (such as a child psychiatrist, neurologist, or developmental pediatrician)

Speak with your child’s existing provider and explain:

• Your concerns (social, communication, behavior, language, learning, or regression)
• That you’re interested in an autism or developmental evaluation at Marcus Autism Center on Briarcliff Road NE in Atlanta

2. Contact the Center’s Intake or Scheduling Department

When you call the main number for Marcus Autism Center:

• Ask for new patient intake or developmental/autism evaluations
• Be prepared to share:
  • Your child’s age
  • Main concerns
  • Previous diagnoses, if any
  • Insurance information

⚠️ Wait times for evaluations in the Atlanta area, including at large centers like Marcus, can be significant. Families are often encouraged to:

• Get on the waitlist as early as possible
• Continue using local early intervention or school system supports while waiting

3. Gather Records and School Information

To make the evaluation more effective, families in Atlanta are commonly asked to bring:

• Previous evaluations (speech, OT, psychology, school testing)
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents if your child receives special education services through Atlanta Public Schools or nearby districts (DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, etc.)
• Report cards or progress reports
• Relevant medical records for developmental or neurological concerns

This paperwork helps clinicians understand your child’s history in both home and Georgia school settings.

What Atlanta Families Can Expect at Appointments

While exact procedures vary by program and age, families in Atlanta often experience the following patterns at the Briarcliff Road location:

Before the Visit

• Phone or online questionnaires about your child’s development and behavior
• Confirmation calls about appointment times, parking, and check-in procedures
• Clarification about insurance coverage and any estimated out-of-pocket costs

During the Visit

• Check-in at a front desk with ID, insurance card, and paperwork
• Time in a child-friendly waiting area (often with toys or activities)
• A combination of:
  • Parent or caregiver interview
  • One-on-one interaction with your child
  • Structured assessment tasks and observations

Families sometimes spend several hours at the center for a full evaluation. Bringing snacks, comfort items, and activities (if allowed) can make the day easier on your child.

After the Visit

Depending on the service:

• You may receive feedback the same day or at a follow-up appointment
• A written report or summary may be provided and can be shared with:
  • Your pediatrician
  • School teams (IEP, student support, etc.)
  • Other therapists in the Atlanta area (speech, OT, ABA, counseling)

Insurance, Costs, and Practical Considerations

Insurance and Payment

For Atlanta families, coverage for autism-related services can be highly variable. It often depends on:

• Your insurance plan type (employer-based, marketplace, Medicaid, PeachCare, etc.)
• Your child’s age
• Whether your plan includes behavioral health and autism benefits

Before your first visit, consider:

• Calling your insurance company with the address:
  “Marcus Autism Center, 1920 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329”
• Asking whether:
  • The center is considered in-network
  • Autism evaluations and related therapies are covered services
  • Prior authorization is required

Travel and Time Commitment

Marcus Autism Center is a regional center, so families may travel from:

• In-town neighborhoods (Midtown, Inman Park, East Atlanta, Grant Park)
• Suburbs like Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Gwinnett County
• Other parts of Georgia and sometimes beyond

Plan for:

• Heavy Atlanta traffic around rush hour and near major interchanges
• Possible need for time off work and school, especially for multi-hour or multi-day evaluations
• Childcare arrangements for siblings, if they’re not attending

Other Atlanta-Area Supports to Use Alongside Marcus Autism Center

Even if you are on the waitlist for services at Briarcliff Road, there are several local resources you can explore in parallel.

Early Intervention (Birth to 3)

For children under 3 in the Atlanta area:

• Babies Can’t Wait (Georgia’s early intervention program)
  • Offers evaluation and services (such as speech and developmental support) in the home or community
  • Families can self-refer and do not need a formal autism diagnosis to start the process

Public School Supports (Age 3 and Up)

For children 3 and older:

• Atlanta Public Schools and surrounding districts provide:
  • Special education assessments
  • Preschool special education
  • IEP services, speech therapy, OT, and classroom supports

You can request an evaluation through your local school district, even if your child does not have a diagnosis yet.

Local Therapy Providers

While waiting for or supplementing services at Marcus Autism Center, Atlanta families often look into:

• Private speech-language pathologists
• Occupational therapists (OT)
• Behavioral or ABA-focused providers
• Social skills groups or counseling practices

These can be located throughout metro Atlanta, including in-town neighborhoods, Decatur, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Fulton County.

Quick Reference: Marcus Autism Center Briarcliff Road (Atlanta)

If you’re in or near Atlanta and searching for “Marcus Autism Center Briarcliff Road Northeast Atlanta GA,” you’re looking at one of the region’s major hubs for autism-focused evaluation and care. Knowing the exact location, typical services, and next steps—referral, intake, and gathering records—can help you move forward more confidently while you also connect with other local supports such as early intervention and your child’s school system.