Jupiter sits at the northern edge of Palm Beach County, next to Tequesta, Juno Beach and the Martin County line. Two things shape autism planning here: the regional autism center (FAU CARD) has an office right in town, and water is everywhere, from the Intracoastal and the Loxahatchee River to backyard pools. This guide compares therapy options and lists the public offices Jupiter families use, with contacts taken from each agency's own page in October 2026. Confirm before you visit. For the full county directory, see our Palm Beach County autism resources guide.
What does FAU CARD's Jupiter office offer?
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University is one of seven regional autism centers set up under Florida law (s. 1004.55). It serves Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties and says it provides consulting, training and support at no charge for autistic people, their families and the professionals who work with them.
- Jupiter campus office: 5353 Parkside Dr., MC03, Student Resources Building, Suite 274A, Jupiter, FL 33458
- Main line: 561-213-5751
- Email: card@fau.edu
CARD can help you understand a new diagnosis, find local services, and consult with your child's school. It does not deliver ABA therapy. Call before you visit rather than walking in. See which CARD serves my county.
Where can a Jupiter child get ABA?
Hope Center does not have an office in Jupiter. We serve Jupiter from our West Palm Beach center at 750 S Military Trail, Suite D-E, West Palm Beach, FL 33415, which is a long drive south for many north-county families. That is why many Jupiter families look first at ABA in the home, at school or at daycare. Whether we can staff your schedule depends on the hours you need, so call 561-337-8865 to ask.
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| In-home ABA | No commute; goals practiced in real routines (bath time, meals, pool rules) | A caregiver must be home; staffing depends on area and hours |
| School or daycare ABA | Works on classroom skills where they happen | Needs teacher and principal consent under Fla. Stat. 1003.572; daycare policies vary |
| West Palm Beach center | Structured setting; Saturday morning hours (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) | The longest drive of the three; harder to fit around school |
See center versus in-home ABA for a fuller comparison.
Who do I call before or after a diagnosis?
- Under 3: Treasure Coast Early Steps (Easterseals Florida), 561-882-6426. It covers Palm Beach and Martin counties, so families on either side of the county line use the same program.
- Ages 3 to 5 in Palm Beach County: FDLRS Alpha, 561-434-8975.
- Ages 3 to 5 in Martin County: FDLRS Galaxy in Port St. Lucie, 772-429-4600, which covers Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Martin.
- Disability services: APD's Southeast Region office at 111 South Sapodilla Avenue, Suite 204, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 837-5564, serves both Palm Beach and Martin counties. See how to apply for APD services.
What if we live in Tequesta or just over the Martin County line?
Many north-county families cross the line for work or school. A few practical points:
- FAU CARD, Treasure Coast Early Steps and APD Southeast all cover both Palm Beach and Martin counties.
- Your school district depends on where you live. Palm Beach County residents use the School District of Palm Beach County; Martin County residents use the Martin County school district and should ask their school's ESE contact.
- Special needs shelter registration also depends on your county of residence.
- Hope Center serves Palm Beach County and Martin County, with ABA at home, at school, at daycare and in the community from our West Palm Beach office. See our Martin County autism resources guide.
How do I start a school evaluation in Jupiter?
Jupiter public and charter schools are part of the School District of Palm Beach County (3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach; (561) 434-8000). The district's Child Find page says to contact your child's school ESE coordinator, or your zoned school's ESE coordinator for home education. For a child over 5 in a private school in the county, call the ESE private school program at 561-434-8287.
Make the request in writing. Under Rule 6A-6.0331, the district has 30 days to seek consent or explain a refusal in writing, and 60 calendar days after consent to complete the evaluation (some breaks excluded). If your child has private ABA, Fla. Stat. 1003.572 allows the BCBA or RBT to work with your child at school when the teacher and principal agree on time and place. See private ABA in Palm Beach County schools.
How do we keep a child safe around Jupiter's water?
The Florida Department of Health says drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for Florida children ages 1 to 4, and that Florida ranks 5th in the nation for drowning deaths. Autistic children who wander are often drawn to water. Layers of protection help:
- Barriers and alarms. Florida's pool safety law (ch. 515) requires new residential pools to have at least one safety feature, such as a compliant barrier, an approved safety cover, exit alarms on doors and windows that open to the pool, or self-closing, self-latching doors. Older pools are not required to retrofit, but adding layers is worth considering.
- Swim and water-safety skills. Ask about lessons with instructors who adapt for autistic children, and make "stop at the water" a practiced rule.
- Wandering plan. If your child is missing, call 911 right away and check water first: pools, canals, docks and the river. Sign up for the Jupiter Police Special Needs Registry (below), and ask whether tracking programs such as Project Lifesaver are available; programs change.
ABA can target safety skills such as responding to their name, staying with an adult and waiting at doors. See drowning prevention for autistic children and Project Lifesaver in Florida.
What does the Town of Jupiter offer autistic children and families?
- Jupiter Police Special Needs Registry. The Jupiter Police Department keeps a voluntary registry for people of any age with special needs, and autism spectrum disorder is on its list. Registrants receive a numbered wristband and an identification card; processing can take up to two weeks. Turn in the form at the police lobby, 210 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 561-746-5134.
- Jupiter Police Family Autism Day. The town lists a free, inclusive family event with music therapy, sensory stations and a fenced-in quiet space, where first responders share information on special needs registries. The 2027 date was not yet set in October 2026.
- Inclusive playgrounds. The town says the playgrounds at Jupiter Community Park, Maplewood Park and Indian Creek Park were rebuilt in 2025 with inclusive equipment.
- Beach wheelchairs. Palm Beach County lists beach wheelchairs at Carlin Park, DuBois Park, Jupiter Beach Park and Ocean Cay Park; contact a lifeguard when you arrive. A companion must be available to help.
- Library. The county's Jupiter Branch (705 Military Trail, (561) 744-2301) hosts the Sensory Friendly Browsing Hour on set dates.
Getting started with Hope Center from Jupiter
We have no waitlist. Call 561-337-8865 or request a free consultation and benefits check. We gather documents, verify benefits, and a BCBA does a 2 to 4 hour assessment at your home or at the center. The plan takes up to two weeks to write, our clinical director reviews it before it goes to insurance, and 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. See our West Palm Beach ABA page and in-home ABA therapy.