Autism Resources in Georgia
A statewide guide to autism services across Georgia — for families in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Athens, and communities across the state.
Georgia's autism services are anchored by one of the largest autism centers in the country: the Marcus Autism Center, part of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and affiliated with Emory University, which treats more than 5,000 children a year. Georgia has a private-insurance mandate — Ava's Law — that covers ABA for children through age 20, the Babies Can't Wait early intervention program, and the Katie Beckett (Deeming) pathway to Medicaid. But Georgia's I/DD waivers, the NOW and COMP programs, carry long waitlists, and specialty capacity is heavily concentrated in metro Atlanta.
This page walks through how the pieces fit together and where the gaps are.
We've written this as a starting point. Georgia readers who know specifics better than we do — tell us what we got wrong or missed.
Find your city
Jump to a local guide with providers, schools, and activities near you.
Georgia at a glance
Early intervention program
Insurance mandate
Medicaid waivers (3)
- New Options Waiver (NOW)
- Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP)
- Katie Beckett (Deeming Waiver / TEFRA)
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Support organizations
Part of Children''s Healthcare of Atlanta and affiliated with Emory University — one of the largest autism centers in the United States, treating more than 5,000 children a year. Diagnostic evaluation, early intervention, feeding, behavioral, and language services, plus major autism research.
Parent to Parent of GeorgiaGeorgia''s federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and a key navigation resource. Free help with special education, the Katie Beckett pathway, NOW/COMP waivers, and connecting families to one another.
Georgia DBHDDThe Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities administers the NOW and COMP Medicaid waivers and the I/DD planning list, the main pathways to long-term community supports.
Babies Can''t WaitGeorgia''s early intervention program for children birth to 3, administered by the Department of Public Health. Free evaluation and service coordination; no autism diagnosis required to start.
Georgia Advocacy OfficeGeorgia''s federally designated protection and advocacy organization. Legal and systems advocacy for Georgians with disabilities.
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Sensory-smart, low-pressure, and actually fun. Free PDF, delivered instantly, plus one short practical email each week.
10 Amazing Activities to Do With an Autistic Child This Summer — free PDF, delivered instantly.
No spam. Unsubscribe any time.