Grants for Autistic Children
Families raising autistic children can access grants to help cover therapy costs, special education services, assistive technology, and other support needs. While most grants fund service providers and schools rather than giving money directly to families, many organizations offer subsidized or free services funded by these grants. Below are 41 verified opportunities supporting autism services and special needs programs.
Types of Autism Support Funding
🧩 Therapy & Clinical Services
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other evidence-based interventions for children with autism.
đź“š Special Education Programs
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), inclusive education, special education teacher training, and classroom accommodations.
đź’» Assistive Technology
Communication devices (AAC), tablets with autism apps, sensory equipment, adaptive learning tools, and assistive software.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Support Services
Respite care, parent training, support groups, case management, transition planning, and recreational programs for autistic children.
Who Qualifies for Autism Grants?
Individual Families May Qualify For:
- State Medicaid Waivers: Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers cover autism therapy, respite care, and support services. Eligibility based on child's diagnosis, functional needs, and family income. Wait times vary by state (some have multi-year waitlists).
- Special Education Services: All children with autism qualify for free special education services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) ages 3-21. Contact your school district for evaluation and IEP development.
- SSI Benefits: Supplemental Security Income provides monthly cash assistance for families raising children with significant disabilities including autism (income and resource limits apply).
- TEFRA/Katie Beckett: Some states offer Medicaid coverage for children with disabilities regardless of family income, allowing families to access autism services without spending down assets.
- Nonprofit Assistance: Organizations like Autism Speaks, Autism Society, and local autism foundations offer equipment grants, therapy scholarships, and financial assistance programs (applications typically required).
Organizations Providing Autism Services:
- Autism Service Providers: ABA therapy centers, speech/OT clinics, autism treatment facilities
- Schools & Districts: Public schools, special education programs, autism-specific schools
- Nonprofits: Autism advocacy organizations, family support centers, recreational programs
- Healthcare Facilities: Children's hospitals, developmental pediatrics clinics, mental health centers
- Research Institutions: Universities conducting autism research and intervention studies
Note: Most federal autism grants fund service providers and research institutions rather than individual families. Families access services through providers who receive grant funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a grant to pay for my child's ABA therapy directly?
Direct grants to families are rare. Instead, most funding goes to therapy providers, clinics, and schools. However, you can access free or subsidized services through:
- Medicaid/HCBS Waivers: Cover ABA therapy if your child qualifies (contact your state Medicaid office)
- Private Insurance: Most states require autism therapy coverage (varying limits apply)
- School District: Free ABA services may be included in your child's IEP if medically necessary for education
- Nonprofit Scholarships: Organizations like Autism Care Today, ACT Today!, and local autism societies offer therapy assistance grants (typically $500-$5,000)
How do I get assistive technology for my autistic child?
Assistive technology (communication devices, tablets, apps) can be obtained through:
- School IEP: Request assistive technology assessment and include necessary devices in IEP at no cost
- Medicaid: Covers medically necessary assistive technology (requires prescription and prior authorization)
- State AT Programs: Every state has an Assistive Technology Act program offering device loans, assessments, and funding assistance
- Nonprofit Grants: Easter Seals, United Cerebral Palsy, and autism-specific organizations offer equipment grants
- Corporate Donations: Apple's ConnectAbility program, Microsoft Accessibility, and other tech companies provide discounted/donated devices
Average costs: AAC devices ($1,500-$15,000), tablets with apps ($300-$1,000), sensory equipment ($100-$2,000).
Does my child need an autism diagnosis to qualify for services?
It depends on the service:
- Special Education (IDEA): Requires formal evaluation by school district. Diagnosis not required—eligibility based on educational impact and meeting criteria for "autism" disability category.
- Medicaid Waivers: Typically require diagnosis from qualified professional (developmental pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist) plus functional assessment showing need for services.
- SSI Benefits: Medical diagnosis plus documentation of significant functional limitations required.
- Early Intervention (ages 0-3): Developmental delays qualify even without autism diagnosis. Contact state early intervention program for free evaluation.
Diagnostic criteria: DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder diagnosis from licensed professional (developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, child psychiatrist, or neurologist).
What's the difference between Medicaid and IDEA special education?
Medicaid (Healthcare):
- Covers medically necessary autism treatments (ABA, speech, OT, medications)
- Eligibility based on disability + income (or HCBS waiver)
- Services provided in clinical/home settings
- Requires prior authorization and medical necessity documentation
- May have co-pays depending on family income (HCBS waivers typically no cost)
IDEA Special Education (Educational Services):
- Provides services necessary for child to access education (speech, OT, social skills, behavioral support)
- All children with disabilities qualify regardless of income
- Free services—no cost to families
- Services provided in school settings (classroom, therapy room)
- IEP team determines educational necessity (not medical necessity)
Many families use both: Medicaid for intensive clinical therapy + IDEA for school-based support.
How long does it take to get approved for autism services?
Timelines vary significantly:
- School Evaluation/IEP: 60 days from written consent to evaluation completion (federal requirement). IEP meeting within 30 days of evaluation.
- Early Intervention (ages 0-3): Evaluation within 45 days of referral. Services begin immediately after IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) is developed.
- Medicaid Autism Services: 30-90 days for approval after application (varies by state). Urgent needs may be expedited.
- HCBS Waivers: 1 month to 10+ years depending on state waitlist (check your state's HCBS waiver wait time). Some states have "urgent need" criteria for immediate enrollment.
- Nonprofit Assistance: 2-12 weeks for application review (most have rolling applications or annual deadlines).
Pro tip: Apply for everything simultaneously—school evaluation, Medicaid services, and waiver waitlist. Don't wait for one process to complete before starting another.
Can I get respite care funding to help with caregiver burnout?
Yes, several programs provide respite care for families raising autistic children:
- Medicaid HCBS Waivers: Most autism waivers include respite care hours (typically 100-500 hours/year). Covers in-home caregivers or out-of-home respite facilities.
- State Respite Programs: Many states offer respite vouchers or subsidized respite regardless of waiver enrollment (search "[your state] respite care program").
- ARCH National Respite Network: Maintains state-by-state respite resource directory at archrespite.org
- Nonprofit Grants: Local autism organizations, The Autism Society chapters, and faith-based groups may offer respite assistance.
- Recreation Programs: Many communities offer subsidized camps and recreational programs specifically for children with autism (partial respite relief).
Respite rates typically $10-$25/hour. HCBS waivers usually cover full cost. Without waiver, families may pay sliding scale based on income.
How to Access Autism Services & Support
- Get Evaluation & Diagnosis
If your child isn't diagnosed yet, contact your pediatrician for developmental screening referral. For children under 3, call your state's early intervention program (find via ECTA Center at ectacenter.org). For ages 3+, request special education evaluation from school district in writing.
- Start School-Based Services Immediately
Contact your local school district to request evaluation for special education under IDEA (ages 3-21) or early intervention services (ages 0-3). These services are FREE regardless of income and must begin within federal timelines. Email or send certified letter requesting evaluation to ensure paper trail.
- Apply for Medicaid & HCBS Waiver
Contact your state Medicaid office to apply for regular Medicaid (if income-qualified) AND request HCBS autism waiver application. Get on waiver waitlist immediately even if wait time is years—your place in line is based on application date. Some states offer "urgent need" category for immediate waiver enrollment.
- Research Nonprofit Assistance
Search for local autism organizations, Autism Society chapters, and national foundations offering therapy scholarships, equipment grants, or financial assistance. Applications typically require diagnosis documentation, financial information, and description of need. Many have rolling deadlines.
- Check State Assistive Technology Programs
Visit AT3Center.net to find your state's AT program. These programs offer device assessments, short-term loans, funding assistance, and sometimes equipment grants. Many have low-interest loan programs for purchasing communication devices and assistive technology.
- Connect with Support Network
Join local autism parent groups (Facebook, Meetup, school-based), contact your state's Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), and connect with autism advocates who can help navigate systems. Parent navigators can be invaluable for understanding eligibility, deadlines, and appeal processes.
Essential Autism Support Resources
🏥 HRSA Autism Programs
Federal Health Resources & Services Administration funds autism training, research, and state systems development. Programs include LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) and MCHB autism initiatives.
Visit HRSA Autism Programs →📞 Autism Response Team (ART)
Autism Speaks' free support hotline connects families to local services, therapy providers, financial assistance, and educational resources. Available in English and Spanish via phone (888-288-4762) or email.
Contact Autism Response Team →🎓 Center for Parent Information & Resources
Every state has a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) providing free help with special education, IEPs, evaluations, and disability rights. Find your state's PTI and connect with parent advocates.
Find Your State PTI →💻 State Assistive Technology Programs
All 56 states and territories have AT Act programs offering device assessments, equipment loans, funding assistance, and recycled/refurbished assistive technology. Many provide grants for communication devices.
Find Your State AT Program →Available Autism & Special Needs Grants (41)
Below are verified federal and state grants supporting autism services, special education, and disability programs. Most fund organizations providing services rather than giving money directly to families. Contact providers in your area to ask if they have grant-funded programs offering free or subsidized services.
Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) Program
Advanced Technological Education
NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) Initiative
FY 2024 – 2026 - Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Office of Education
Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering
Education Programs in Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Environmental Education Grant Program
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Braille Training Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.235E
Collaboratory to Advance Mathematics Education and Learning (CAMEL) for K-12
BJA FY25 The Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities
Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education
Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH)
NIJ FY25 Invited to Apply - Novel Psychoactive Substance Discovery, Education, and Reporting Institute
Clean Energy Access: LA County TECH Grant: Round 2
The CEA-LAT Grant will provide up to $200,000 in funding to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Los Angeles County that perform outreach and education on the Technology for Equipment and Clean Heating Clean Initiative (TECH Clean CA). It focuses on building decarbonization, healthy homes, electrification technologies, and health-related impacts. Proposals will undergo a competitive selection process. Please refer to the CEA-LAT Grant Guidelines and application forms, located on the right sidebar under Applicant Resources, to create a complete and competitive application. Activities: Potential activities include, but are not limited to: Conducting community outreach and education activities that enrich outreach and education, such as: staff training evaluating grant project impact...
Disadvantaged Communities; Education; EmploymentFisheries Restoration Grant Program (2026)
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce funding opportunities under the 2026 Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) Proposal Solicitation Notice (Solicitation) for projects that lead to process-based restoration, enhancement, or protection of anadromous salmonid habitat. Proposal applications will be accepted for the types of projects outlined in the solicitation, subject to the funding program criteria. Priority 1 Projects are those that restore, enhance, or protect salmonid habitat in anadromous watersheds through implementation or design projects that lead to implementation. Approximately 65% of the PCSRF grant award will fund Priority 1 Projects. Priority 2 projects are those that support implementation projects through watershed-scale...
Education; Environment & Water; Parks & Recreation; TransportationLiteracy Coaches and Reading Specialists Educator Training Grant Program
The goal of this grant will be to develop and provide training for educators to become literacy coaches and provide credentialing opportunities for educators to become reading and literacy specialists as well as provide support for the local educational agencies that receive the allocation in Assembly Bill 121, Section 51 (Chapter 8, 2025). Assembly Bill 121, Section 51 (Chapter 8, Statutes of 2025) authorizes this second competition for the LCRSET program. The CDE, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, will award $15 million to a County Office of Education or consortium of county offices of education with expertise in both literacy instruction and multilingual education and demonstrated success in improving literacy instruction and outcomes through dual language...
Education2026-27 School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Program (SMP) Start-Up and Expansion Grant
The intent of the grant is for the California Department of Education (CDE) to award competitive grants of up to $15,000 per school site for nonrecurring expenses incurred when initiating or expanding an SBP or SMP. The following types of grants are available: Start-up grants for costs associated with starting an SBP or SMP site. Expansion grants for costs associated with increasing program participation at an existing SBP or SMP site. Overview School food authorities (SFA) can submit the 2026-27 School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grant, known as the Breakfast Grant (BG), application found online on the California Department of Education (CDE) BG Request for Applications (RFA) web page. Please carefully review the Application Scoring...
Food & NutritionGrants and Cooperative Agreements Program (GCA) – G26
The Grants and Cooperative Agreements (GCA) Program provides for well managed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well managed, high-quality, OHV Recreation areas, roads, and trails, and to responsibly maintain the wildlife, soils, and habitat in a manner that will sustain long-term OHV Recreation. The GCA Program supports the planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, administration, operation, enforcement, restoration, and conservation of trails, trailheads, areas, and other facilities associated with the use of Off-Highway Motor Vehicles, and programs involving Off-Highway Motor Vehicle safety and/or education.
Education; Environment & Water; Parks & RecreationRequest for Application (RFA) 25-10031: Local Training and Education Program for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (DV)
The purpose of this RFA is to increase public awareness of Domestic Violence (DV), specifically Interpersonal Violence (IV), and support community-led efforts to adopt and implement primary prevention strategies that improve the scope and quality of services provided to victims of IV. The California Department of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch (CDPH/IVPB) anticipates releasing Request for Application (RFA): 25-10031, Local Training and Education Program for the Prevention of DV. CDPH/IVPB anticipates awarding up to one (1) local project with (3) three or more years of demonstrated experience and capabilities implementing local community organizing and/or public health policy, system, and environmental (PSE) change work. Funding will be available from State of...
Disadvantaged Communities; Health & Human Services2025-26 Digital Divide Grant Program Round 3
The Digital Divide Grant Program will award one grant of $100,000 for rural and urban public schools and two grants of up to $50,000 each for non-profit Community Based Organizations (CBO). The grants will fund digital projects that serve beneficiary public schools/districts and non-profit Community Organizations. Projects may address gaps in broadband networks, affordability, access to personal devices and digital skills training. The Digital Divide Grant Program (DDGP) will provide three grants for a total of $200,000. The DDGP is funded by fees collected from leases of state-owned property to wireless telecommunications service providers, pursuant to Government Code Section 14666.8. Eligible projects will serve a beneficiary public school or district located in an urban or rural...
Disadvantaged Communities; Education; HousingImportant: Grant information is updated regularly but may change. Always verify current details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements on the official grant source website before applying. For autism-specific guidance, consult with your child's healthcare team, school district, or a qualified autism advocate.