Florida families of young autistic children are often told to "call Early Steps," "call Child Find" and "call CARD," sometimes all in the same week. These are three different public programs with different ages, jobs and rules. This guide puts them side by side so you know which one to call, what to ask for, and where private ABA fits.
What is the short answer?
- Early Steps is early intervention for children from birth to 36 months. It evaluates, writes an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) and provides services. It is run by the Florida Department of Health.
- Child Find is the school district's duty to find and evaluate children who may need special education. For ages 3 to kindergarten entry, much of the screening is done through FDLRS centers. It leads to an evaluation and, if eligible, an IEP.
- CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities) is a network of seven university-based centers that give autistic people of all ages and their families support, consultation and training. CARD does not decide eligibility for school or Early Steps and is not a therapy provider in the way an ABA program is.
How do Early Steps, Child Find and CARD compare?
| Early Steps | Child Find (FDLRS and district) | CARD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ages | Birth to 36 months | Age 3 to kindergarten entry (districts also serve older students) | All ages |
| Who runs it | Florida Department of Health, through local programs | Your school district, with FDLRS associate centers funded by the Florida Department of Education | Seven university-based regional centers set up by section 1004.55, Florida Statutes |
| Diagnosis needed? | No: a developmental delay qualifies; autism is an established condition | No: a screening or a parent request starts the process | CARD serves people with autism and related disabilities; ask your center what it needs to register |
| What you get | Evaluation, service coordination, IFSP, services such as special instruction, speech, OT, PT and family coaching | Free screening, a district evaluation and, if eligible, an IEP with special education services | Individual and family assistance at home, in the community and at school; consultation for schools; training; public education; resource coordination |
| Cost | No family fees, copays or deductibles for IFSP services; insurance billed only with consent | Free (part of a free appropriate public education) | CARD-USF says its services are delivered at no cost; confirm with your regional center |
| Key timelines | Contact within 5 days of referral; evaluation and IFSP within 45 days | District seeks consent within 30 days after a concerning screening; evaluation within 60 calendar days of consent | None set in statute |
| How to start | 1-800-218-0001 or the online form at floridaearlysteps.com | Your county's FDLRS center or district Child Find office; or a written evaluation request | Register with the CARD center for your county |
Sources: Early Steps Policy Handbook (10/14/2026), Rule 6A-6.0331, fdlrs.org, section 1004.55 and CARD-USF. Programs update their procedures, so confirm details when you call.
When do I call Early Steps?
Call Early Steps if your child is under 3 and you have any developmental concern, whether or not there is a diagnosis. Anyone can refer, and no doctor's referral is needed. A child with a written autism diagnosis qualifies as an established condition; a child without one can qualify through a delay of 1.5 standard deviations in two areas or 2.0 in one, or through informed clinical opinion. Services happen, as far as possible, in your child's everyday settings.
If your child is very close to 3, still call. If the referral reaches Early Steps fewer than 45 days before the third birthday, Early Steps is not required to evaluate, but with your consent it must refer your child to the school district. See the full Early Steps guide.
When do I call Child Find?
Call Child Find, through your county's FDLRS center or the district, if your child is 3 or older and not yet in kindergarten and you have concerns. Under Rule 6A-6.0331, a screening through the district or FDLRS that suggests a disability triggers the district's duty to seek your consent to evaluate within 30 days. You can also skip the screening and request an evaluation in writing; the district then has 30 days to get your consent or explain in writing why it refuses. Once you consent, the evaluation must be done within 60 calendar days, not counting certain holidays and breaks.
Children leaving Early Steps at 3 move to the district through the transition process, which starts at least 90 days before the birthday. See FDLRS and Child Find for the center serving your county.
When do I call CARD?
Call CARD any time you want help understanding autism, finding resources, or getting support at home or school, at any age. Section 1004.55 describes the centers' services as individual and direct family assistance in the home, community and school; technical assistance and consultation, including for school districts; professional training; public education; and coordination with other resources. The statute also says a center's help "should not supplant" other agencies' responsibilities: CARD supports you, but it does not replace Early Steps services, the school's duties or therapy.
For the counties Hope Center serves, the statute assigns:
- Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Indian River: the center at Florida Atlantic University.
- Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe: the center at the University of Miami.
- Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, Charlotte and other west-central and southwest counties: CARD-USF at the University of South Florida (813-974-2532, as listed on CARD-USF's site).
- Duval, Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns: the center at the UF Health Science Center in Jacksonville.
- Orange, Osceola, Seminole and other central counties: the center at the University of Central Florida.
See CARD Florida: how the free university autism centers help and which CARD serves my county.
Can my child use more than one at once?
Yes, and many families do. Common combinations:
| Child's age | Often used together |
|---|---|
| Under 3 | Early Steps + CARD for family support + private ABA through insurance or self-pay |
| Around 3 | Early Steps transition to the district (IEP) + CARD + private ABA |
| 3 to 5 | District ESE pre-K or VPK + CARD + private ABA |
Where does private ABA fit?
None of these three programs is the same as private ABA therapy. ABA is a health service designed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and usually delivered by Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). It is paid for by your health plan, if it covers ABA, or by you. Early Steps, the school district and CARD can all work alongside an ABA program, and coordination between them helps your child the most. See Early Steps and private ABA and ESE pre-K for children with disabilities.
A quick decision checklist
- Is your child under 3? Refer to Early Steps today.
- Is your child 3 to 5 and not in kindergarten? Contact your FDLRS center or send the district a written evaluation request.
- Do you want guidance, training or school consultation at any age? Register with your CARD center.
- Has a clinician recommended ABA? Ask your insurer about ABA coverage or ask a provider about self-pay.
- Write down every date you call and every name you speak with.
How Hope Center helps
Hope Center for Behavior Change provides ABA at home, at daycare, at school and at our centers, with weekly parent training. Our staff can join IEP meetings where allowed and coordinate with Early Steps and CARD. We have no waitlist and offer a free benefits check. Contact us or call 561-337-8865.