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Atlanta, GA Area Autism Resources
Atlanta, GA Area Autism Resources
Additional local Atlanta area resources for your family.
Our sole passion here at ABLE Kids is to provide your child or loved one the skills he/she needs to live a full and meaningful life. We have collected additional local Atlanta area resources for your family, including local autism testing centers, mentoring & development opportunities, sensory friendly programs and activities, and options for assistance in paying for ABA Therapy services near you.
Autism Testing Centers
Dr. Brandi Smith and her team are dedicated to providing clients and their families the highest quality of care in diagnostic assessment. Children’s Autism Assessment Center (CAAC) proudly provides gold standard neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and provides tailored recommendations and resources to meet each person’s individual needs.
The assessment process starts with an intake session (1 hour) consisting of a semi-structured diagnostic interview. This interview allows the psychologist a chance to meet with the client and their family/guardians to better understand the presenting concerns.
After intake, the psychologist creates an individualized assessment plan and typically schedules a client to return on another day for testing. Testing typically includes the use of standardized assessment measures (e.g., ADOS-2) aimed to gather information regarding a person’s behavioral and developmental functioning and may consist of interviews, structured or unstructured observations, self- parent- and/or teacher rating measures, and structured testing.
Following testing, a client returns for a feedback session and receives their child’s report. Our goal for the feedback session and throughout the assessment process is to ensure that clients and their families feel supported whether they are first receiving a diagnosis or need updated resources and recommendations. CAAC is committed to helping families understand their child’s unique strengths and challenges and to guiding parents in determining how to best help their child build skills and foster their abilities.
Children’s Autism Assessment Center
6667 Vernon Woods Drive, A-20
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
drbrandismith@caacatlanta.com
(404) 390-1322
The Georgia Autism Center (GAC) is highly committed and eager to assist individuals and families of children or loved ones with an autism spectrum and other related neurodevelopmental disorders to receive proper diagnoses, aid in the development of their individualized treatment plans, enhance independence, and foster the utmost quality of their lives.
Dr. Fox, former proud owner of Georgia Pediatric Psychology, routinely performs evaluations on children as young as 12 months through early adulthood to detect signs of neurocognitive or developmental delays. Dr. Fox also assesses adults with disabilities in need of obtaining home and community-based services. Assessments are performed in order to determine the need for community-based services and financial support that would help increase an individual’s independence and quality of life while also helping to reduce some of the financial burden which they or their families endure while providing for their needs.
There will be several forms to be completed pertaining to the client’s development including prenatal, medical, educational, social, family, and psychiatric history. You and your child, depending on his or her age, will be asked a number of questions as it pertains to your concerns and child’s developmental and psychosocial history. Depending on the age, your child will be observed at the initial visit for 1-2 hours in a play or interactive setting and several tests will be administered to assist in obtaining more comprehensive information and with developing the most appropriate testing battery. Following this appointment, the client may be scheduled to return for a formal testing battery.
Georgia Autism Center
4046 Wetherburn Way, Ste. 1
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
(770) 696-4384
Marcus’ evaluations help to determine whether or not children meet criteria for autism, using the highest standard of care in diagnostic assessment. In addition to determining a diagnosis, the evaluation process helps to identify a child’s specific strengths and weaknesses and guides appropriate recommendations for treatment and intervention. At Marcus Autism Center, caregivers benefit from having multidisciplinary care and support services under one roof.
Toddler Evaluations
Children 2 and younger are seen by a multidisciplinary team for a one-day evaluation. This evaluation includes:
- A parent interview by a medical provider
- Developmental assessment
- Assessment of the child’s social interaction and play
- Adaptive assessment
- Feedback session with parents to discuss diagnosis, your child’s strengths and weaknesses and recommendations
This appointment lasts about 3 hours and a full written report summarizing our findings will be provided to you after the evaluation.
Preschool and School-Age Evaluations
Diagnostic evaluations for children ages 3 and older consist of two appointments:
Diagnostic Interview
The diagnostic interview appointment is a one-hour interview with parents. During this parent interview, the clinician will gather detailed information about your child’s development and current symptoms. You may also be asked to complete parent rating scales, and be given forms to be completed by your child’s teacher or other caregivers. It is important that your child be present for this appointment.
Testing Appointment
Many children are scheduled for a testing appointment after the diagnostic interview. This testing appointment usually occurs several weeks after the diagnostic interview and includes an assessment of the following:
- Cognitive abilities or developmental level
- Social interaction
- Communication
- Emotional functioning
- Behavior
- Adaptive skills
This testing appointment lasts for about 5 hours and includes:
- Direct testing with your child throughout most of the morning
- A lunch break for families
- An afternoon feedback session with parents to discuss diagnosis, your child’s strengths and weaknesses and treatment recommendations
A full written report summarizing these findings will be provided to you after the evaluation.
Marcus Autism Center
1920 Briarcliff Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 785-9400
Peachtree Pediatric Psychology
Dr. Avital K. Cohen and the staff at Peachtree Pediatric Psychology are passionate about helping parents understand their child’s strengths and weaknesses to help guide the journey towards supporting any areas of difficulty, and utilizing positive areas for growth. When parents are worried about a child’s language delay, school performance, behaviors, or emotions, they often don’t know where to turn for answers. A comprehensive psychological evaluation can help better understand the underlying challenges a child is experiencing socially, at home, or at school to determine what types of interventions, supports, and services would be most beneficial.
Our office is conveniently located in Sandy Springs on Hammond Drive across from Hammond Park and easily accessible via 285, 400 and Marta. Our practice specializes in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as other common problems in the pediatric population, including developmental delays, learning problems, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), emotional disorders, behavioral issues, and more. We bring extensive experience and professionalism to every case and customize our support to your individual needs and concerns.
Peachtree Pediatric Psychology
750 Hammond Drive
Building 10 Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30328
Admin@PeachPsychology.com
(404) 796-7777
Mentoring & Development
Mission
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Who We Serve
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
Programs
Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
- One-To-One Friendships
- Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion.
- Integrated Employment
- Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves.
- Leadership Development
- Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to be leaders, public speakers, and advocates.
- Inclusive Living
- Providing a vibrant, integrated living opportunity for people with and without IDD.
Sensory Friendly Programs
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don’t forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
Participating theatres include: Sugarloaf Mills 18 & Parkway Pointe 15
These modifications of the Center’s regular programming will allow guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder to experience sensory-friendly Family Series performances, Film series, and Create-A-Puppet Workshops™. Guests will be welcomed by staff members who have been trained in interactions with patrons with ASD.
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St. NW at 18th
Atlanta, GA 30309-2820
404-873-3391
Chuck E. Cheese’s is proud to support families who have children with autism and special needs. We now offer a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month opening 2 hours early. Our trained and caring staff is there to make sure each guest has a fun-filled visit. The Sensory Sensitive Sundays experience includes:
- Less crowding and noise
- Dimmed lighting
- Show and music turned off or down
- Limited appearances by Chuck E.
- Food and games are offered
Locations:
- 1690 MALL OF GEORGIA BLVD, BUFORD, GA 30519
- 3201 MACON RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31906
- 1530 DOGWOOD DRIVE, CONYERS, GA 30207
- 335 UPPER RIVERDALE ROAD, JONESBORO, GA 30236
- 827 BARRETT PARKWAY, KENNESAW, GA 30144
Certified Autism Center
Georgia Aquarium has become the first aquarium to be designated a Certified Autism Center. This title is granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Essentially, this new certification means that any visitors on the autism spectrum or with other sensory disorders can enjoy the best possible visit that caters to their needs. To achieve this, the Aquarium Guest Experience, Training, and Education teams had to train a minimum of 80% of our front-line staff and volunteers on working with guests on the spectrum – while maintaining certain facility options for this demographic as well.
Expedited Entrances
Expedited entrance lines are available at our general admission ticket purchase line, our security line, and at both of our live presentations in the Truist Pier 225 sea lion gallery and in the Dolphin Coast theater.
Sensory Bags
Free sensory bags are equipped with noise-canceling headsets, sunglasses for those sensitive to light, a pair of fidget devices, and an “I need/I feel” card, which may be used to help nonverbal individuals communicate with staff. Individuals may also add a weighted lap pad and/or a bouncy band for chairs to their kit when checking out the sensory bag. Sensory bags can be checked out at our Point of Sales desk located at our main entrance or at our Information Desk located in the main atrium.
Designated Quiet Zones
Designated quiet zones have been established throughout the Aquarium for families to use to help individuals decompress. These areas may be identified on the Aquarium map and via signage.
Georgia Aquarium will now be listed on IBCCES website AutismTravel.com, a free online source for parents and caregivers that lists certified destinations.
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Popadoodle Kids Imagination Center
Popadoodle, LLC is in the Lilburn/Stone Mountain, GA area. It is a children’s imagination center catered to girls and boys ages 0 to 11. Our center is a child’s dream playroom that offers various activities to spark creativity and artistic expression. We offer after school Art & S.T.E.M. classes during the week, open play time on the weekends, and birthday parties anytime!
3rd Saturday of every month; The Center will be open at 9 AM for families with children on the autism spectrum or children with sensory processing disorders. Sensory Saturdays include a sensory modified setting. $7/child. Drop-ins Welcome”
Popadoodle Kids Imagination Center
1218 Rockbridge Rd., SW
Stone Mountain, GA 30087
678-779-7052
From the Museum: Would you or someone you love benefit from having a quieter experience at Tellus Science Museum. If so, make reservations for an intimate morning, limited to 200 participants, which offers a crowd-free environment and less sensory stimulation.
Tellus Science Museum
100 Tellus Drive
Cartersville, GA 30121
770-606-5700
New sensory friendly jump time for our special needs community only, every First Sunday of the month from 10am-12n (time/date varies per location).
No flashing lights, no whistles, low music level, and less crowded. We invite you and your families to join us! Reduced rates available (varies per location). Open to sensory-sensitive individuals, their siblings and caregivers only.
Check the link above for dates and locations.
Certified Sensory Inclusive Destination
Zoo Atlanta has partnered with KultureCity to improve our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our objective is to provide an exclusive and seamless experience for all guests. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying our team members with continuous training and by offering the resources and accommodations below.
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise canceling headphones and other resources are available to borrow (at no cost by presenting an ID) at our Member Services Office located just outside the Zoo Atlanta entrance.
Weighted Lap Pads
Weighted lap pads are available to borrow by request (at no cost by presenting an ID) at the Zoo train station in KIDZone and at the World of Wild Theater presented by Georgia Natural Gas.
Quiet Areas and Headphone Zones
Look for signage inside the Zoo identifying Quiet Zones and Headphone Zones, and see the Zoo Atlanta map for in-park locations.
Social Story
To help you further with your upcoming visit to Zoo Atlanta, download a social story via the KultureCity Sensory Inclusive App.
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 624-5600
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
The Gym for All Kids
From their website: “We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. As the only kids gym that offers an inclusive philosophy, we have found all children can benefit from our uniquely designed sensory equipment that is specifically designed to aid children with sensory processing disorders. However, in our experience, all children are able to benefit greatly from this equipment and by allowing children of all ability levels to play together they are able to learn a great deal from each other and become the best motivation for success on every level.
The gym includes:
- Suspended equipment with swings – for balance and vestibular treatment
- Crash mats and crash pillows – for fun, motor planning, and strength
- Zipline – for stress release and joint and body relaxation
- Trampoline – for building leg and core strength
- Indoor play structure – for climbing and increasing playground skills
- Sensory-based toys – for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills
- Fine Motor and Arts and Crafts Area – for improved hand-eye coordination”
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
614 W Crossville Rd
Roswell, GA 30075
(770) 680-2535
Paying For Services
This program provides coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) services for individuals under the age of 21. ASD coverage is provided for assessment and treatment services according to severity and is based on medical necessity.
*We also work with Georgia Medicaid CMO’s: Caresource, Amerigroup, and more…
Provides Medicaid benefits to eligible children through the TEFRA/ Katie Beckett Medicaid program under §134 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) of 1982.
