How families pay for this

Tennessee’s Medicaid program, and the foundation most other help sits on top of. Children can qualify through household income or through disability-based routes, and coverage includes well visits, medications, and medically necessary therapy — including ABA.

The door for children whose needs are significant and whose family income is too high for regular Medicaid. Part A brings full TennCare plus up to $15,000 a year in home and community services; Part B brings up to $10,000 a year in flexible funds.

Up to $6,000 a year from the Department of Disability and Aging for respite, equipment, and home modifications. The priority window runs January 1 to April 15. Rutherford County families apply through UCP of Middle Tennessee (opens in a new tab).

TennCare’s long-term services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, built around employment and community living instead of facility care. Enrollment is capped by funding and priority group.

A tax-advantaged savings and investment account a disabled person can own without putting SSI or Medicaid at risk, run by the Tennessee Treasury.

Tennessee’s education savings account for students with an IEP and a qualifying disability, autism included. Approved uses include private-school tuition, umbrella-school homeschooling, curriculum, tutoring, therapies, and technology.

Tennessee’s autism mandate, common insurance terms in plain English, a worked therapy-cost example, and what to do when a bill lands. An EOB is not a bill.

Nonprofit money for therapy, communication devices, safety equipment, and camps, often paid directly to the provider. Application windows can be short.