Coral Springs is a family suburb in northwest Broward County, next to Parkland, Tamarac and Margate. Broward has its own set of autism offices, separate from Palm Beach County's: a different CARD center, a different Early Steps program, its own FDLRS center and its own county emergency management rules. This guide compares therapy settings for Coral Springs families and lists the public offices that serve them, with contacts from each agency's own website as of October 2026. Please confirm before you visit. For the county overview, see our Broward County autism resources guide.
Can a Coral Springs child get ABA from Hope Center?
Hope Center does not have an office in Coral Springs or anywhere in Broward County. We serve Broward families in their homes, at school (when the school agrees), at daycare and in the community. Whether we can staff your address and the hours you need depends on the schedule, so call 561-337-8865 to ask. Our centers are in West Palm Beach, Temple Terrace, Port Charlotte, Jacksonville and Sebring; see where we provide ABA.
In-home or school-based ABA: which fits your child?
| Question | In-home ABA | School or daycare ABA |
|---|---|---|
| Where goals are practiced | Morning routines, meals, bedtime, play with siblings, community trips | Following classroom directions, transitions, recess, lunch |
| Who needs to agree | Your family; a caregiver is present during sessions | For public schools, the teacher and principal must agree on time and place (Fla. Stat. 1003.572); private schools and daycares set their own rules |
| Parent training | Built into your daily routines | Scheduled separately, often at home |
| Good first step when | Challenges are mostly at home, or your child is not yet in school | The school reports behavior or learning concerns, or the IEP team wants to coordinate |
Many children start with one setting and add another. See school versus clinic ABA and center versus in-home ABA.
Which CARD center serves Coral Springs?
Broward County is served by UM-NSU CARD, a collaborative program of the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. It is not the same CARD as Palm Beach County's. UM-NSU CARD says its services and programs are available to people with autism and related disabilities of all ages and their families at no cost.
- Broward families: 954-262-7111 or card@nova.edu
- Training requests and events: see the CARD website
CARD does not provide ABA. It helps you understand autism, find services, plan for school and connect with other families. See which CARD serves my county.
Who screens young children in Coral Springs?
| Child's age | Who to call | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to 35 months | Broward Early Steps | (954) 728-1101, as listed by Broward County Public Schools, or the referral form linked from the district's ESE page |
| Under 5 | Broward Child Find (Pre-K Assessment) | 754-321-7200; preschool evaluations take place at Wingate Oaks Center, 1211 NW 33rd Terrace, Fort Lauderdale |
| Ages 3 to 5 | FDLRS Reach | 7601 N University Drive, Tamarac, FL 33321; 754-321-3466 |
FDLRS Reach in Tamarac is a short drive south of Coral Springs. Screenings through Child Find are free. See our Early Steps guide.
How do I ask Broward County Public Schools for an evaluation?
Coral Springs public schools are part of Broward County Public Schools. Its Exceptional Student Education Division is reachable at 754-321-3400 (Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center, 600 S.E. Third Avenue, Fort Lauderdale). For a school-age child, start with your school's ESE specialist and put your request in writing. For a child in a private school, the district has a separate Child Find process for parentally placed private school students; questions go to 754-321-3426.
Under Rule 6A-6.0331, after a parent's written request the district has 30 days to seek consent or explain in writing why it refuses, and 60 calendar days after consent to complete the evaluation (some breaks excluded). If your child has a private BCBA or RBT, Fla. Stat. 1003.572 lets them observe, collaborate and provide services at school when the teacher and principal agree on the time and place. See private ABA in Broward County schools.
Where is APD for Broward County?
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities serves Broward County from its Southeast Region office in Fort Lauderdale:
- 3125 West Commercial Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
- Phone: (954) 467-4218
APD serves people with developmental disabilities, including autism, and runs the iBudget waiver. Funding waits can be long, so apply early. See how to apply for APD services.
What does the City of Coral Springs offer children with special needs?
Coral Springs lists several inclusive programs on its official pages (checked October 2026). Dates and prices change each season, so call before you sign up.
- Special Population Programs. Parks and Recreation runs programs for children and adults with disabilities, including Special Populations Youth Activities for ages 6 to 12 (an adult caregiver must attend), a Saturday Social Club for ages 10 and up, and evening dances. Phone 954-345-2208; based at the Senior Center at Sartory Hall, 10150 NW 29th Street.
- Inclusive classes. The city says its recreation opportunities include classes that are inclusive of people with special needs, such as dance, gymnastics, early sports and fencing for various age ranges.
- Summer camp. In summer 2026, the city's Kamp Kool included a Special Populations Elementary Camp group for children entering grades 1 to 5, at a 5 to 1 ratio. Campers had to be independent with eating, toileting and changing, and the camp filled, so register early for next summer.
- Love Serving Autism. Free tennis lessons for people with special needs on select Saturdays at the Cypress Tennis Courts; call 954-344-1840.
Library. Broward County Library's Northwest Regional Library, 3151 N University Drive, Coral Springs (954-357-7990), lists a monthly Sensory Time for ages 5 to 10, described as an interactive program designed for sensory-seeking children. For other access needs, the library's Access Services Coordinator is at 954-357-8687.
Coral Springs Police Special Needs Database. If a family member has a disability, impairment or cognitive delay, you can submit the police department's online registration form; an officer will contact you to verify the information and take a photograph. Phone 954-346-1311 or email specialneeds@coralsprings.gov. If your child goes missing, call 911 right away and check water first, including lakes and canals.
Does Broward's special needs shelter take autistic children?
Broward County Emergency Management says a Special Needs Shelter may be appropriate for people whose medical condition needs more care than a general shelter provides but who do not need a hospital. Shelters have medical staff and backup power for essential equipment, and family members and caregivers are encouraged to come. Each applicant is reviewed individually. The county also says that if you need a quiet zone for a cognitive disability or mental health need, or other accommodations, you should call 954-831-3902 (TTY 954-831-3940) for current information.
Apply online through the statewide registry at snr.flhealthresponse.com, or call 954-831-3902 to request an application. Pre-registration is open all year. Broward also offers pre-registration for evacuation transportation, including Paratransit (TOPS) for people whose disabilities, including cognitive disabilities, prevent them from using fixed-route buses. See registering for a special needs shelter.
Starting ABA with Hope Center in Coral Springs
We have no waitlist. Call 561-337-8865 or request a free consultation and benefits check. We collect documents, verify benefits, and a BCBA completes a 2 to 4 hour assessment, in one or two sessions, at your home or at one of our centers. Writing the plan takes up to two weeks; our clinical director reviews it before it goes to your insurer. Services usually start 3 to 5 business days after approval. We work with Blue Cross Blue Shield (Florida Blue), Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), UMR, Personify Health and TRICARE East, and offer self-pay with a sliding scale; costs depend on your plan. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Bengali and Russian.