Lakeland is Polk County's largest city, and unlike many Polk towns it has two state autism-related offices in the city: APD's Central Region office for Polk, Hardee and Highlands, and a Lakeland location for USF's Bay Area Early Steps program, both on North Kentucky Avenue. School screening and ESE run through Polk County Public Schools and FDLRS Sunrise in Bartow. This guide covers those offices, an inclusive playground in town, hurricane registration and how ABA works in Lakeland. For the county view, see our Polk County autism resources guide. Details are from each agency's own page as of October 2026; confirm before you visit.
Where is the APD office in Lakeland?
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Central Region lists a Lakeland office that serves Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties:
- 200 North Kentucky Avenue, Suite 422, Lakeland, FL 33801
- Phone: (407) 245-0440
APD serves Floridians whose developmental disability, including autism, began before age 18. Its eligibility rule accepts an autism diagnosis only from certain specialists, such as a Florida-licensed psychologist or psychiatrist or a board-certified developmental pediatrician, so check that your child's diagnostic report qualifies before you apply. Waiver funding often involves a long wait. See how to apply for APD services.
Who do I call if my young child in Lakeland might be autistic?
- Under 3: USF's Bay Area Early Steps program covers Hillsborough and Polk counties. Its page lists a Lakeland location at the Children's Medical Services Clinic, 200 N. Kentucky Avenue, Suite 206, Lakeland, FL 33801. Call (813) 974-0602 or (866) 549-1710 to make a referral. USF says there is no income requirement and most services happen at home at no cost. See our Early Steps guide.
- Ages 3 to 5: Polk County Public Schools says that if your child does not have an IEP and you suspect a disability, call Child Find at 863-535-6486. That is also the number for FDLRS Sunrise, the FDLRS center for Polk, at 1860 Ken Riley Way, Bartow, FL 33830. Polk's ESE Pre-K program serves eligible children ages 3 to 5, including those found eligible under autism spectrum disorder, after evaluation and parent consent.
- Already has an IEP from another district: Polk's ESE Pre-K page says a family whose child has an IEP but is not enrolled in a Polk school can bring a copy of the IEP to their zoned elementary school.
What does CARD-USF offer Lakeland families?
Polk County is in the 14-county region of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF. CARD-USF says it is funded by the Florida Department of Education and delivers its services at no cost wherever families, schools or agencies are located in its region. Call 813-974-2532 to register. CARD offers consultation, training and help finding resources; it is not an ABA provider. See which CARD serves my county.
How do Polk schools evaluate older children?
For a child already enrolled in a Polk County public school, put your request for an evaluation in writing to the school. Under Florida's rule, the district then has 30 days to ask for consent or explain in writing why it refuses, and once you consent the evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days, not counting certain school breaks. The district switchboard is 863-534-0500.
If your child receives private ABA, Florida law (s. 1003.572) lets the BCBA or RBT observe and work with your child at school when the teacher and principal agree to the time and place. See private ABA in public school.
Is there an inclusive playground in Lakeland?
Yes. The City of Lakeland describes Common Ground as Polk County's first inclusive play experience, where children of varying abilities and disabilities can play side by side. For details, the city lists its Parks Division at 863.834.2233.
A playground visit can be a good practice setting for skills like waiting for the slide, sharing space or leaving when it is time to go. If your child is in ABA, ask your BCBA whether a community outing like this could fit into the plan.
Does an autistic child qualify for Polk's special needs shelter?
Polk County Emergency Management describes special needs shelters as temporary facilities for residents whose medical condition requires electrical equipment, oxygen or dialysis, or who have physical, cognitive or medical conditions that may require help from medical professionals. Its eligibility list is mostly medical: help with medications, daily nursing assessment, dressing changes, ostomy care, or activities of daily living so limited by immobility that others must meet basic needs. The county also lists conditions that call for evaluation for a health care facility instead, such as needing continuous air conditioning for medical reasons.
An autistic child without those needs may be directed to a general shelter. If you think your child may qualify, register through the Florida Special Needs Registry or call the Polk County Emergency Operations Center at (863) 298-7000, and do it before storm season. Polk County Transit Services can take you to your assigned shelter if you need a ride. See how to register for a special needs shelter.
How can we get ABA in Lakeland?
Hope Center for Behavior Change serves Lakeland in homes, schools, daycares and community settings. We do not have an office in Lakeland or Polk County. Our nearest centers are in Temple Terrace (9385 N 56th St, Suite 211) and Sebring (228 N Ridgewood Rd, Suite 102), both open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but most Lakeland families choose sessions at home or school.
- First call: tell us your child's age, diagnosis, insurance and the setting you want. We check benefits for free.
- Assessment: a BCBA meets your child for 2 to 4 hours over one or two sessions, at home or at a center.
- Plan: written within about two weeks, reviewed by our clinical director, signed by you and sent to your insurer.
- Start: we have no waitlist; sessions 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, and parents get weekly training.
See where we provide ABA and in-home ABA, then request a free consultation and benefits check or call 561-337-8865.