Orange County families have most of Central Florida's autism offices close at hand: UCF's CARD center, the Central Florida Early Steps program, an FDLRS center and an APD regional office are all in Orlando. Orange County Public Schools has its own preschool evaluation team, and the county runs a People with Special Needs program for hurricane season. This guide lists the offices Orlando-area parents need, with contact details from each agency's own page as of October 2026. Confirm before you go.
Where do I start in Orange County?
- Under 3: Central Florida Early Steps serves Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties from The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, 601 W. Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32805. Its referral and information line is (321) 842-3294. Services include service coordination, clinic evaluations and early intervention delivered in the family's home. No doctor's referral is needed and families pay no Early Steps fees. See our Early Steps guide.
- Ages 3 to 5: Orange County Public Schools' Preschool Diagnostic Intervention Services (PDIS) screens and evaluates children aged 3 to 5 with suspected delays or disabilities. Call (407) 317-3503 to start. FDLRS Action, 3130 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804 (407-317-3660), is the regional FDLRS center for Orange, Lake, Osceola and Seminole.
- Any age: ask your pediatrician for a referral for an autism evaluation. See how to get an autism diagnosis in Florida.
What do I need for an OCPS preschool evaluation?
OCPS asks families to finish a three-part intake before PDIS schedules an appointment:
- A copy of your child's birth certificate, or legal guardianship or custody papers. The person who brings the child must be the legal guardian.
- Proof of Orange County residence, such as a current lease, property deed or homestead exemption. If you live with someone else, you first need an address verification appointment with OCPS Student Enrollment, 6501 Magic Way, Bldg 100B, Orlando (407-317-3233).
- The parent intake packet: a parent intake form, a preschool or child care input form, a home language survey, a HIPAA form and a release of information form.
Send any medical reports or testing you already have; OCPS says an incomplete packet can delay your appointment.
What is UCF CARD?
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Central Florida is one of seven regional CARD centers created by Florida law (s. 1004.55). It serves Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties and is funded by the State of Florida through the Department of Education.
- Research Pavilion, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 365, Orlando, FL 32826
- Office: (407) 823-6001. To register your child for services, call 407-823-6011 to complete an intake.
- Email: ucfcard@ucf.edu
UCF CARD describes its services for registered families as free. CARD offers consultation, training and resource help, not ongoing therapy. See which CARD serves my county.
Where is the APD office for Orange County?
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) serves Floridians whose developmental disability, including autism, began before age 18. It offers support coordination and, through the iBudget waiver, home and community services. Waiver funding often takes years, so apply early. Orange is in APD's Central Region, served from the Orlando office:
- 400 West Robinson Street, Suite S430, Orlando, FL 32801
- Phone: (407) 245-0440
The Orlando office also serves Brevard, Osceola and Seminole counties. See how to apply for APD services.
How do school-age evaluations work in OCPS?
For a child already in an Orange County public or charter school, write to the school asking for an initial evaluation and ask for the school's ESE contact. Under Florida's evaluation rule, the district has 30 days to either ask for consent or explain in writing why it refuses. After consent, the evaluation must be finished within 60 calendar days, excluding some school breaks. OCPS's main office is at 445 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801, phone 407-317-3200. Its ESE department has dedicated autism spectrum disorder and behavior support sections, including a page on the district's certified behavior analysts.
Florida law (s. 1003.572) lets a private BCBA or RBT work with your child at school when the teacher and principal agree on time and place. See private ABA in Florida public schools.
How much is FES-UA for an Orange County student?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), run by Step Up For Students, can fund approved therapies including ABA, private school tuition and other approved costs. Step Up's 2026-27 table lists these amounts for Orange residents:
| Matrix level | Ages or grades | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Levels 1 to 3, or a qualifying diagnosis | Ages 3 and 4, grades K to 3 | $10,584 |
| Levels 1 to 3 | Grades 4 to 8 | $9,995 |
| Levels 1 to 3 | Grades 9 to 12 | $9,803 |
| Level 4 (254) | All | $21,655 |
| Level 5 (255) | All | $34,799 |
New 2026-27 applications close November 15, 2026. Read our FES-UA explainer first.
Should we sign up for Orange County's PSN program?
Orange County's People with Special Needs (PSN) Program plans shelter for residents who cannot safely stay home in a hurricane because they rely on electrically powered medical equipment, need caregiver support or need transportation. The county says eligible residents may include people with physical, cognitive, sensory or medical conditions. It describes PSN shelters as a last resort when staying with family, friends or in a hotel is not possible, and caregivers must come along.
- Register online at the county's PSN page, or call 311 or (407) 836-3111 to register by phone or ask for a form (English and Spanish).
- A home health agency, hospice, medical equipment supplier or senior social service agency can also register you.
- The information is confidential by law and shared only with specific emergency personnel.
See how to register for a special needs shelter.
Where are inclusive playgrounds in Orange County?
- Downey Park, 10107 Flowers Ave., Orlando, FL 32825, has an inclusive playground for children of all abilities.
- Horizon West Regional Park, 4715 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden, FL 34787, opened its first phase in 2026 with an inclusive playground designed to serve children of all abilities.
Orange County Parks can tell you about other accessible sites (407-836-6200).
ABA therapy in Orange County with Hope Center
Hope Center for Behavior Change serves families in Orlando in homes, schools, daycares and the community. We do not have a center in Orange County. If you live elsewhere in the county, call to ask whether we can staff your area. We have no waitlist, and services usually begin 3 to 5 business days after insurance approves the plan.
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. See where we provide ABA and our Orlando resource guide, then request a free consultation and benefits check or call 561-337-8865.