Parent Resources
Parent to Parent
Parent to Parent is a support organization that connects families of individuals with special needs. It offers emotional support, information, and resources by matching parents who have experience with a child’s specific disability or condition to other parents seeking guidance.
Babies Can't Wait
Babies Can’t Wait: Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) is Georgia’s early intervention program offering coordinated services to infants and toddlers (birth to three years old) with developmental delays or disabilities. The program aims to enhance children’s development by supporting families and caregivers through services
Marcus Autism Center
The Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest autism centers in the U.S., providing comprehensive services for children with autism spectrum disorder. It offers diagnosis, early intervention, speech and language therapy, behavioral treatment, and family support. The center also conducts cutting-edge research and partners with families to create individualized care plans to support long-term development.
Georgia Department of Education
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) provides resources and support for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through its Special Education Services and Supports division. This includes guidance on developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), information on the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, and details about Hospital/Homebound Services for eligible students. GaDOE also offers a Parent Survey to gather feedback from families of students with disabilities, aiming to improve educational outcomes and parental involvement.
Katie Beckett Waiver-Medicaid
The Katie Beckett Waiver in Georgia allows children under 18 with significant disabilities, including autism, to receive Medicaid benefits regardless of their parents’ income. This program enables eligible children to access essential medical services and therapies at home, provided the cost of home care does not exceed that of institutional care. To apply, parents must submit a completed application along with medical documentation to the Centralized Katie Beckett Medicaid Team.
https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/tefrakatie-beckett
SPECTRUM
Spectrum provides a variety of programs, including monthly support groups, respite care, family camps, and social skills groups for individuals across the autism spectrum. They also host community events such as sensory-friendly activities and educational workshops.
Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) connects families with children on the autism spectrum to support programs like Family Support Services and the Georgia Autism Initiative. These programs offer help with early intervention, respite care, therapy access, and financial assistance.
Georgia Autism Center
The Georgia Autism Center offers comprehensive services for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Their offerings include assessments, diagnoses, care coordination, educational planning, and assistance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The center collaborates with various professionals—such as developmental pediatricians, neurologists, and therapists—to ensure coordinated care, and also provides guidance on accessing financial support through programs like the Katie Beckett Medicaid Waiver and the New Options Waiver (NOW)
Behavioral Analyst Certification Board
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is the organization that certifies professionals in behavior analysis, including Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who often work with children on the autism spectrum. For parents, the BACB ensures that providers delivering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy meet high standards of education, training, and ethics. Families can use the BACB’s online registry to find qualified professionals and verify credentials.
BACB