Broward County has its own autism support network, separate from Palm Beach County's. Fort Lauderdale families use a different CARD center, a different school district and a different APD office than families just to the north. This guide lists the offices that serve Fort Lauderdale, explains how the Broward school district handles evaluations and private providers in schools, and covers county recreation and hurricane registration. For the countywide view, see our Broward County autism resources guide. Contact details are from each agency's own page as of October 2026; confirm before you go.
Which CARD center serves Fort Lauderdale?
Broward County is served by UM-NSU CARD, a joint program of the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University that covers Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. FAU CARD, which serves Palm Beach County, does not cover Broward. UM-NSU CARD lists a separate contact for Broward families:
- Nova Southeastern University, 7600 SW 36th St., Bldg. 200, Davie, FL 33328
- Phone: 954-262-7111
- Email: card@nova.edu
UM-NSU CARD says its services and programs for people with autism and related disabilities of all ages, their families and the professionals who work with them are offered at no cost, and it asks families to register first. Registration is offered in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. CARD is a resource and training center, not an ABA provider. See which CARD serves my county.
Where do I start if my Fort Lauderdale child is under 5?
Broward County Public Schools describes its Child Find program as the entry point to exceptional student education for children from birth to age 5 in Broward. If you are concerned about a child under five, call 754-321-7200 or complete the district's online Child Find referral.
- Under 3: children who need Early Steps are referred for Part C services. In Broward, Early Steps is led by the Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) of Broward Health, which says the program has no income requirement and is free for families. You can also use the statewide Early Steps line, 1-800-218-0001. See our Early Steps guide.
- Ages 3 to 5: Child Find offers free screenings, coordinated with the district's preschool assessment teams. Preschool evaluations take place at Child Find and Preschool Diagnostic Services at the Wingate Oaks Center, 1211 NW 33rd Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311.
FDLRS Reach is the FDLRS associate center for Broward, at 7601 N University Drive, Tamarac, FL 33321, phone 754-321-3466. The district publishes its Child Find guide, The Road Through Child Find, in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole.
How do Broward schools handle evaluations and private ABA providers?
For a child already in a Broward public school, start with the school's ESE staff and put your request for an evaluation in writing. Under Florida's rule, the district has 30 days to ask for your consent or explain in writing why it refuses, and once you consent the evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days, with some school breaks not counted.
Private schools: if your child attends an eligible private school, Broward's Private School Services office can arrange an evaluation at no cost to parents and, if eligible, a Private School Service Plan. Email the required documents to esepss@browardschools.com or call 754-321-3426 with questions.
Private BCBAs and RBTs at school: Florida law (s. 1003.572) lets private instructional personnel hired by parents observe, collaborate and provide services in the school setting when the teacher and principal agree to the time and place. Broward County Public Schools requires these private professionals to complete a district PIP (private instructional personnel) packet before they work on campus. Ask your child's school for the current packet and timeline. See private ABA in public school under s. 1003.572.
Where is the APD office for Fort Lauderdale?
APD's Southeast Region has a Fort Lauderdale office that serves Broward County:
- 3125 West Commercial Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
- Phone: (954) 467-4218
APD serves people whose developmental disability, including autism, began before age 18. Waiver funding often involves a long wait, which is why many families apply early. See how to apply for APD services.
Are there recreation programs for autistic kids near Fort Lauderdale?
Broward County Parks and Recreation has a Special Populations Section that runs year-round programs for children, teens and adults with disabilities, and helps people with disabilities join other county programs with modifications or equipment. Recent listings for young people with developmental disabilities include:
- A dance program, Take the Stage, for ages 6 to 17
- Special Olympics Little ELITES, ages 6 to 12
- C.O.R.E.S. 4 K.I.D.S. social program, ages 6 to 12, with one guest
- Bowling, kickball and Musical Expressions for ages 13 and up
Preregistration is required. Call Special Populations at 954-357-8170 (TTY 954-537-2844) or email SpecialPopulations@Broward.org. The county asks people who need accommodations to call at least five business days before an event. Schedules change by season, so confirm days and times when you register.
Should we register with Broward emergency management before hurricane season?
Broward County runs two different lists, and they do different jobs:
- Special Needs Shelter pre-registration, for residents with a special medical need, plus pre-registration for transportation to the shelter.
- The Vulnerable Population Registry, for people at risk because of a disability, frailty or health issue who plan to stay home during a storm. The county says it is used for planning only and does not guarantee assistance.
You can register online or by calling the Broward County Call Center at 311 or 954-831-4000 (TTY 954-831-3890). Describe your child's specific needs when you call, because special needs shelters are generally set up for medical needs, and an autistic child without those needs may be directed to a general shelter. Do this well before a storm. See how to register for a special needs shelter.
How does in-home or school ABA work in Fort Lauderdale without a local center?
Hope Center for Behavior Change serves Fort Lauderdale and Broward County without a Broward office. Sessions happen where your child already spends the day: at home, at school (with the school's agreement), at daycare or in the community. That can suit families who would rather not commute, and it lets the RBT practice skills in the places your child needs them.
| Setting | What to arrange | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Home | A regular time and a space with few distractions | Parent training fits naturally into home sessions |
| School | Teacher and principal agreement on time and place; Broward's PIP packet | Start the paperwork early in the school year |
| Daycare | The daycare director's permission | Useful for toddlers who spend most of the day there |
| Community | A goal tied to a real outing, such as a grocery trip | Planned with your BCBA |
The nearest Hope Center location is our West Palm Beach center (750 S Military Trail, Suite D-E). We have no waitlist; services usually begin 3 to 5 business days after insurance approves the plan. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Bengali and Russian. 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.
Read about in-home ABA and where we provide ABA, then request a free consultation and benefits check or call 561-337-8865.