Community Resources:
Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities — OCDD
Part of the Louisiana Department of Health, OCDD serves as the Single Point of Entry into Louisiana’s developmental disabilities services system. It conducts eligibility assessments, processes waiver requests (such as the Children’s Choice, New Opportunities, Residential Options, and Supports Waivers), and oversees both public and private residential and community-based supports across the state. Residents should begin by applying through their local Human Services District or Authority, which serves as the access point for OCDD services in their community.
Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority (JPHSA)
JPHSA supports individuals with developmental disabilities through a range of services. They assist with determining eligibility, conducting assessments, and creating individualized support plans tailored to each person's needs. Available services include home- and community-based waiver programs, behavioral support to reduce challenging behaviors, and advocacy to help navigate legal or court systems. JPHSA also offers court liaison services to ensure individuals receive appropriate support in judicial settings.
Louisiana Early Steps (0-3 years)
EarlySteps serves families with infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) who have or are at risk for developmental delays or medical conditions likely to cause developmental challenges. Delivered in the child’s natural environment (home, daycare, or community), services, ranging from speech, physical, behavioral and occupational therapies to social work, nutrition, assistive technology, and care coordination, are tailored to support both the child’s development and the family’s capacity to foster growth. Referrals can be made by anyone through the regional System Point of Entry, and services are based on an Individualized Family Service Plan to meet each child and family’s specific needs.
Families Helping Families (Jefferson Parish)
Families Helping Families (FHF) is a network of non-profit resource centers in Louisiana, dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. These centers offer a range of services, including information and referral, education and training, and peer-to-peer support. The core philosophy of FHF is to empower families to navigate systems, understand their rights, and advocate for themselves.
LaCAN (Louisiana Council’s Advocacy Network) furthers the Council’s mission by advocating for policies and systems that support inclusion everywhere people learn, work, live, and play. LaCAN advocates for service systems that support children and adults with disabilities to live in their own homes and be fully-included and participating members of their local schools and communities.
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council — LaDDC
The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council (LaDDC) is a state‑appointed body dedicated to empowering Louisianans with developmental disabilities through advocacy, capacity-building, and systems change. Established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, LaDDC works to promote independence, inclusion, and productivity by advocating for supportive policies, providing training and technical assistance, and engaging the community via initiatives like LaCAN and strategic planning.
Arc of Greater New Orleans (ArcGNO) is a local nonprofit that empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and St. Tammany parishes. Through education, advocacy, and support, ArcGNO helps individuals reach their fullest potential by offering early intervention, in-home and residential support, day‑services at four community centers, employment assistance and coaching, transportation, and social enterprise jobs, such as those at their Mardi Gras Recycle Center, which helps fund over 80 positions.
Autism Society of Greater New Orleans - Autism Resource Document
ASGNO offers one-on-one assistance to help individuals, families, providers, and professionals find resources and support within the Autism community. They work to create connections and empower everyone in the Autism community with the resources they need to live fully. They advocate for policies and practices that benefit Autistic individuals, such as equitable access to education, supports, employment, and healthcare. They offer a variety of programs, including virtual social and support groups for Autistic adults and caregivers.
Fish in a Tree NOLA is a New Orleans–based neurodiversity community center that supports neurodivergent individuals and their families. Through peer support, workshops, sensory-friendly events, and inclusive consulting, they promote acceptance, empowerment, and joyful connection. Their programs are offered both locally and online.
Jefferson Parish Early Childhood Collaborative
The Jefferson Parish Early Childhood Collaborative is a partnership of early care and education programs supporting children from birth through age four and their families. Their mission is to ensure all children enter kindergarten healthy and ready for success by providing access to high-quality early care and education. The Collaborative offers a range of programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Pre-K, and Early Learning Centers, and assists families in making informed choices about their child's early development and learning.
ABA Providers
Pathway Therapeutic Partners - Parent training, school and parent consultation (multi-disciplinary)
Within Reach Center based, social groups
Atlas Autism Center based
Crescent Bloom Consulting School, in-home, community, social groups
Deep Roots Behavior Support Montessori style center, in home, community
Within Reach Community Support School consultation, parent training
The Art in Me In home, center, and community settings
Play Therapy & Counselors
Disability Advocacy/Neurodiversity/Helpful Social Media Profiles & Platforms:
Tiffany Hammond is the voice behind the popular social media platform Fidgets and Fries. An Autistic mother of two, she uses storytelling to challenge perceptions of Autism, emphasizing intersectionality and advocating for Disability Justice. Through her platform, she shares personal experiences to inspire and educate others on their journeys.
NeuroClastic is a nonprofit organization led by and for autistic individuals, dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of the autistic community. Their Instagram serves as a platform to share intersectional perspectives, advocate for social justice, and provide educational resources that challenge conventional narratives about autism. Through collaborations with autistic artists, writers, and activists, NeuroClastic fosters a more inclusive and informed understanding of neurodiversity.
A platform dedicated to reshaping perceptions of autism, emphasizing neurodiversity, and advocating for inclusive communities. Through shared stories, resources, and insights, they aim to foster understanding and acceptance for autistic individuals. Their content serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to learn more about autism from a personal and community-centered perspective.
Autism Society of Greater New Orleans
ASGNO is dedicated to creating connections and empowering individuals in the autism community throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Their mission encompasses providing resources, advocacy, and support to autistic individuals and their families.
In addition to therapy services, Play Spark Therapy offers resources and apparel aimed at spreading awareness and inclusivity for neurodiverse individuals. They share insights into their therapy practices, showcases their team and systemic barriers to accessing supports for disabled children, and promotes their resources and products designed to support neurodiverse individuals and their families.
McAlister Greiner Huynh is a National Board Certified special educator, behavior support specialist, and consultant based in North Carolina. With over 12 years of experience, she advocates for radical acceptance, neurodiversity, and disability pride. Through her platform, she shares philosophies on teaching, self-advocacy, accessibility, and coping strategies, aiming to create inclusive educational environments for neurodivergent individuals. She also offers apparel and accessories that celebrate neurodiversity and acceptance.
Autism Level UP, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering autistic individuals and their families through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Their mission is to provide resources and support that promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for the autism community. Through their Instagram presence, they share informative content, personal stories, and updates on events and initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive society.
CommunicationFIRST is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of individuals who cannot rely on speech alone to communicate. Their mission focuses on promoting access, opportunity, and justice for people with speech-related disabilities through public engagement, policy reform, and systemic advocacy. Through their Instagram presence, they share resources, personal stories, and initiatives aimed at fostering understanding and inclusion for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods.
Meaningful Speech is a platform dedicated to educating parents, speech-language pathologists, and professionals about gestalt language processing and delayed echolalia. Founded by Alexandria Zachos, MS, CCC-SLP/L, the platform offers resources and training to support neurodiversity-affirming, child-led therapy approaches. Through their Instagram and website, they provide insights into language development, share success stories, and promote inclusive communication practices. Their mission is to empower individuals to understand and support diverse language development pathways.
Meghan Ashburn is a parent advocate, educational consultant, and co-author of I Will Die On This Hill, a book that explores the experiences of autistic adults, parents, and their children. Through her platform, she offers resources, support, and community for parents and educators navigating the autism journey. Her work emphasizes neurodiversity-affirming practices and aims to create more inclusive educational environments. She also hosts That Au-Some Book Club, where members read and discuss books by autistic authors and allies.
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN)
AWN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing disability justice, gender and racial equity, neurodiversity, and trans liberation. Founded in 2009, AWN is the only national organization led by and for autistic women, nonbinary, and trans people. They work to dismantle systemic ableism and marginalization through community organizing, policy advocacy, and cultural work. AWN offers resources like Welcome Packets for newly diagnosed individuals and parents, webinars on topics such as disability justice in cultural work, and a comprehensive resource library covering topics from neurodiversity-affirming parenting to voting rights for disabled individuals.
New Disabled South is a regional disability justice organization uniting activists, advocates, and organizations across 14 Southern states. Their mission is to advance liberation and justice for all disabled people by addressing systemic inequities in areas such as poverty, criminalization, voting access, and technology. Through policy advocacy, community organizing, and research, they aim to dismantle barriers and promote inclusive, equitable systems for disabled individuals in the South.
Speech/OT/PT:
Therapeutic Learning Center Pediatric Therapy, Social Groups, Parent Support, Feeding
Kim 4 Kids Occupational Therapy, Groups, Feeding, Parent Support
Parent Support Groups/Trainings:
Caregivers and Parents of Autistic Children Support Group (any neurodiversity or disabilities welcome) - 7pm CST, Tuesdays
FREE Caregiver Training and Support Seminars (ASGNO) (pre-recorded)
Learn Play Thrive - Free parent packet on neurodiversity and parent trainings
Books for Caregivers:
Books for Children: