Polk County sits between Tampa and Orlando, and its autism resources reflect that: some offices are in Lakeland and Bartow, while others that serve Polk families are based in Tampa. The good news is that several state programs keep a physical presence in downtown Lakeland. This guide lists the offices Polk families need, with contact details taken from each agency's own page as of October 2026. Confirm before you go.
Where do Polk County parents start?
- Under 3: Bay Area Early Steps, run by the University of South Florida, holds the Early Steps contract for Polk and Hillsborough counties. Call (813) 974-0602 to make a referral. USF lists a Lakeland location at the Children's Medical Services Clinic, 200 N. Kentucky Avenue, Suite 206, Lakeland, FL 33801. No doctor's referral is needed and families pay no Early Steps fees. See our Early Steps guide.
- Ages 3 to 5, no IEP yet: Polk County Public Schools tells parents to call Child Find at 863-535-6486 if they suspect a disability. That is also the number for FDLRS Sunrise, the state-funded diagnostic and learning resource center for Polk, at 1860 Ken Riley Way, Bartow, FL 33830.
- Ages 3 to 5 with an IEP from another district: the district says to take a copy of the IEP to the elementary school in your zone.
- Any age: ask your pediatrician for a referral for an autism evaluation. See how to get an autism diagnosis in Florida.
Which CARD center serves Polk County?
Polk is served by CARD-USF, the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida, one of seven regional centers created under Florida law (s. 1004.55). Its 14-county region runs from Polk and Hillsborough down to Collier.
- 13301 Bruce B Downs Blvd., MHC 2113A, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone: 813-974-2532
CARD-USF says its services are delivered at no cost wherever families, professionals and schools are located in its region, so a Polk family does not need to drive to Tampa for help. CARD offers consultation, training and resource help rather than ongoing therapy. See which CARD serves my county.
Where is the APD office for Polk County?
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) serves Floridians whose developmental disability, including autism, began before age 18. APD services can include support coordination and, through the iBudget waiver, a range of home and community services. Many families wait years for waiver funding, so apply early. Polk is in APD's Central Region, served from the Lakeland office:
- 200 North Kentucky Avenue, Suite 422, Lakeland, FL 33801
- Phone: (407) 245-0440
The Lakeland office also serves Hardee and Highlands counties. See how to apply for APD services.
How do I work with Polk County Public Schools' ESE team?
For a child already in a Polk public or charter school, put your request for an initial evaluation in writing to the school. Under Florida's evaluation rule, the district then has 30 days to either ask for your consent or explain in writing why it refuses, and once you consent the evaluation must be done within 60 calendar days (some school breaks do not count).
When a problem is not resolved, the district's ESE page lays out a ladder: start with the teacher, then the school's ESE facilitator, counselor or service provider, then the assistant principal or principal, then a district ESE specialist and senior manager, and on up to the director and assistant superintendent. The district also has an ESE Family Partnership Coordinator who helps parents understand their rights under IDEA, reachable through the ESE office at 863-535-6488.
A private BCBA or RBT can work with your child at a public school under s. 1003.572 when the teacher and principal agree on time and place. Read private ABA in Polk County schools.
How much is FES-UA for a Polk County student?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), run by Step Up For Students, can pay for approved therapies such as ABA, private school tuition and other approved costs. Step Up's 2026-27 table lists these amounts for Polk residents:
| Matrix level | Ages or grades | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Levels 1 to 3, or a qualifying diagnosis | Ages 3 and 4, grades K to 3 | $10,500 |
| Levels 1 to 3 | Grades 4 to 8 | $9,916 |
| Levels 1 to 3 | Grades 9 to 12 | $9,725 |
| Level 4 (254) | All | $21,477 |
| Level 5 (255) | All | $34,527 |
New 2026-27 applications are accepted until November 15, 2026. A student on the scholarship gives up the district's duty to provide a free appropriate public education while enrolled in it; see our FES-UA explainer.
Who qualifies for Polk's special needs shelter?
Polk County Emergency Management defines a special needs shelter as a temporary facility for residents whose medical condition may need electrical equipment, oxygen or dialysis, or for people with physical, cognitive or medical conditions who may need help from medical professionals. Polk residents of any age can be eligible if, for example, their basic needs must be met by others because of limited mobility, or they need help taking medications. Some people, such as those who need continuous air conditioning for medical reasons, are evaluated for placement in a health care facility instead.
To register, use the statewide Florida Special Needs Registry, ask your home health or medical equipment provider, or call the Polk County Emergency Operations Center at (863) 298-7000. If you need a ride to any shelter, the county arranges transport through Polk County Transit Services. Autism alone may not qualify for a special needs shelter, so ask. See how to register for a special needs shelter.
Are there sensory-friendly places in Polk County?
- Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven, has a Sensory Room designed for children on the spectrum. It can be set up as a calm space during sensory overload or as an active play area, and families book it through the library. The library's Friends of the Library Sensory Garden was created for children and adults with autism, sensory impairments, Alzheimer's and dementia. Call 863-291-5880.
- Common Ground Park, 1000 E Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, is the city's first inclusive playground, designed so children of varying abilities can play side by side (863-834-2280).
ABA therapy in Polk County with Hope Center
Hope Center for Behavior Change serves families in Lakeland and Winter Haven in homes, schools, daycares and the community. We do not have a center in Polk County; our nearest centers are in Temple Terrace and Sebring. If you live elsewhere in Polk, 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, request a free consultation and benefits check, or call 561-337-8865.