Autism Resources in Louisiana
A statewide guide to autism services across Louisiana — for families in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and communities across the state.
Louisiana has some genuine anchors — Children's Hospital New Orleans and Ochsner's Boh Center, LSU Health, The Emerge Center in Baton Rouge, the EarlySteps early intervention program, and a state insurance mandate that covers ABA to age 21. Louisiana also faces real challenges — the OCDD waiver waiting registry, where waits for the New Opportunities Waiver routinely reach a decade or more, plus provider shortages and rural access gaps.
This page walks through how the pieces fit together and where the gaps are.
We've written this as a starting point. Louisiana 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.
Louisiana at a glance
Early intervention program
Insurance mandate
Medicaid waivers (4)
- New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
- Children's Choice (CC) Waiver
- Supports Waiver (SW)
- Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
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Support organizations
Louisiana's federally designated protection and advocacy organization (formerly The Advocacy Center). Free information, referral, advocacy, and legal representation for Louisianans with disabilities.
Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center (LaPTIC)Louisiana's federally funded statewide Parent Training and Information Center, hosted by Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans. Free help with special education, IEPs, and disability navigation.
Families Helping FamiliesA statewide network of regional centers providing peer support, information, and navigation for Louisiana families of people with disabilities.
Autism Society of Greater New OrleansRegional Autism Society affiliate providing advocacy, support, resources, and community events for New Orleans-area families.
OCDD (Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities)Louisiana Department of Health office administering EarlySteps, the developmental disability waivers, and the Request for Services Registry.
Get our free summer guide
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.