For those living in the Milledgeville area, including Baldwin, Hancock, Washington, Wilkinson, Jones, and Putnam counties, please see below for autism resources.
Note: As a small city/large town in a rural part of Georgia, Milledgeville does not offer comprehensive resources for individuals with autism. Nearly all services are available, however, within a two-hour drive, in one of these larger cities:
- Macon, GA (30 miles; 45 minutes)
- Augusta, GA (90 miles; 1 hour and 45 minutes)
- Atlanta, GA (90 miles; 1 hour and 45 minutes)
Diagnostic Resources
The successful navigation of autism starts with an accurate diagnosis. Autism Toolkit has identified diagnostic centers across Georgia that can be trusted to provide concerned families and individuals with an honest assessment and clear next steps.
Autism Resources
Early Intervention Resources
When autism is detected early in a child’s life, early intervention treatments may have significant impacts on the their development. These treatments take place during the earliest formative years, when a child’s brain is its most “elastic.” Both in-person and remote early intervention services are available.
In-Person Early Intervention
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Name: Prime Care ABA Therapy
Address: 2932 Heritage Pl, Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: (470) 788-0348
Email: info@primecareabatherapy.com
Insurances Accepted: Most major insurance plans
Type of Therapy Done: ABA
Where Therapies are Performed: Clinic based
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Name: Pure Heart Behavioral Therapy
Address: In-home ABA based out of Milledgeville, GA
Phone Number: 478-569-6235
Email: hello@pureheartbehavioraltherapy.com
Insurance Accepted: Medicaid, Peachstate, Optum
Type of Therapy Done: ABA
Where Therapies are Performed: home based
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Name: The Treetop ABA Therapy
Address: In-home ABA based out of Milledgeville, GA
Phone Number: 516-206-8900
Type of Therapy Done: ABA
Where Therapies are Performed: home based
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Name: Total Care ABA Therapy
Address: In-home ABA based out of Milledgeville, GA
Phone Number: 404-400-5004
Type of Therapy Done: ABA
Where Therapies are Performed: home based
Remote Early Intervention
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Name: Georgia Behavior Associates
Address: N/A, virtual
Phone Number: 470-619-3723
Email: info@georgiabehavior.com
Insurances accepted: Most major insurance providers, 50+
Type of Therapy: ABA
Where Therapies are Performed: Virtual
Therapy and Satellite Services
Individuals with autism frequently benefit from various therapy regimens, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and others. The below therapy providers have proven to be skilled in working with patients with autism.
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Name: Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin
Address: 821 North Cobb Street Cobb Tower, 2nd Floor Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: 478-776-4029
Type of Therapy: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy for pediatrics and adults.
Where Therapies are Performed: clinic based
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Name: Verse Therapy
Address: Online therapy
Insurances Accepted: Aetna, United, Cigna, Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield
Type of Therapy: Speech therapy for children and adults
Where Therapies are Performed: Online or in-person depending on availability of therapists
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Name: GCSU Music Therapy
Address: 200 N. Wilkinson St., Campus Box 67 Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: (478) 445 – 8579
Email: mt.clinic@gcsu.edu
Insurances Accepted: Music therapy is an out-of-network provider
Type of Therapy: Music Therapy
Where Therapies are Performed: Our on-campus clinic is located on the first floor of the Health Sciences Building, room 111, on the campus of Georgia College & State University and hosts equipment and instruments to accommodate various needs, such as adaptive technology and a sensory space containing bean bags, floor mats, bubble tube, and a vibrotactile Somatron chair.
Support Services
Throughout Georgia, Autism Toolkit has identified support services that help families and individuals navigate their journey with autism. Below, you’ll find local service providers who offer services ranging from caretaker support groups to occupational training for individuals with autism.
School Services and IEP Assistance
All public and many private schools in Georgia offer special services for students with autism, but navigating the process of securing those services can be difficult. Below are some local resources to help your family identify and secure the school resources to help your student thrive.
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Name: Disability Connections
Address: 3695 Broadway, Macon, GA 31206
Phone Number: (478) 741-1425
Description of Services: School support advocacy, life skills training, independent living skills, peer support
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Name: ABA Unlimited
Address: 108 Featherstone Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088
Phone Number: 478-313-5093
Description of Services: School Services and Help with IEPs, advocacy from a behavior analyst
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Name: ChanceLight Autism Services
Address: 820 Duke Avenue, Warner Robins, GA 31093
Phone Number: 478-225-3880
Description of Services: Throughout the academic year, we maintain vigilant monitoring of student progress, program efficacy, and our ability to nurture hope, ensuring ongoing success for all
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Name: Waves Autism Center
Phone Number: 478-733-2597
Address: 1000 Corporate Pointe, Suite A8,Warner Robins, GA 31088
Email: wavesautismcenter@gmail.com
Description of Services: School support/advocacy, educational, and vocational opportunities
Play Groups and Summer Camps for Kids With Autism
Play is often overlooked as a vital part of childhood development. Local play groups and camps for kids with autism can allow these special children to develop skills ranging from basic motor functions to appropriate social interactions in a safe and monitored setting.
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Name: Special Touch Ministry Summer Get Away
Address: Timber Lake Retreat Center
1721 GA-83 North, Forsyth, GAPhone Number: 321.543.8729
Email: joe.ann@specialtouch.org
Description of Services: Day or overnight camp where campers will do activites like Swimming, fishing, crafts, boat rides, sports, games, hayrides, bonfires, petting zoos, and more
Cost: $550 if no caregiver needed, $700 with caregiver
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Name: Waves Summer Day Camps
Phone Number: 478-733-2597
Email: wavesautismcenter@gmail.com
Description of Services: M-F in June and July: Autistic children and young adults. Session One is for elementary and middle school aged children; Session Two is for high schoolers and young adults. Activities include art, culinary skills, woodworking, outdoor survival skills, and more
Autism-Friendly Community Locations
Interaction with one’s community is another vital part of life that can be challenging for those with autism. Below is a list of locations that provide autism-friendly programming, such as sensory hours, recreational sports, creative programs, and buddy-match pairings.
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Name: Middle Georgia Regional Library
Address: Branch Dependent
Description of Services: The library hosts several events such as story times, arts and crafts, and lego club.
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Name: GCSU Jam Band
Address: Georgia College Music Therapy Clinic Health Science Building, First Floor, Room 116 200 N. Wilkinson Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: 478-445-8579
Cost: $150
Description of Services: Jam Band is an all-abilities band for teens ages 12-18. This band exists to provide accessible opportunities for teenagers of various abilities and learning styles to have successful music experiences. The group will meet once a week for 50 minutes for 10 weeks. Participants will receive one-on-one instruction on the instrument of their choice, as well as learn to play in a band. Instruments will be provided on-campus but having personal instruments at home for practice is recommended.
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Name: Georgia College Best Buddies
Address: 1111 N. Jefferson Street, Milledgeville, GA,
Phone Number: (478) 445-7176
Email: sfolsom@baldwinlec.org
Description of Services: The Best Buddies program promotes friendships between people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people without disabilities. Individuals from the Life Enrichment Center partner with students from Georgia College & State University in a “buddy match” through compatibility of common interests and personalities. Once matched, the buddies are asked to make weekly contact, plan a monthly event together, and attend a monthly group event. We encourage contacts to be made directly between the buddies and his/her family or home provider.
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Name: LIFE Creative Expressions Program
Address: 1111 N. Jefferson Street, Milledgeville, GA,
Phone Number: (478) 445-7176
Description of Services: The Creative Expressions Program is an integrated arts program that promotes creativity and self-expression for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through the use of music therapy, visual arts, horticulture and performing arts
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Name: LIFE Visual Arts
Address: 1111 N. Jefferson Street, Milledgeville, GA,
Phone Number: (478) 445-7176
Email: alison@baldwinlec.org
Description of Services: Visual arts opportunities for students with disabilities with activities such as mixed media art, jewelry making, and fiber arts.
Support Groups for Parents and Caretakers
You can’t pour from an empty glass. As a caretaker for an individual with autism, you need to take care of yourself, as well as for your loved one. Local support groups are a great way to share your concerns and learn from others, while connecting with others who are in similar situations.
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Online Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/143429537863782/
Respite Care and Day Programs
We cannot stress this enough: it is normal and healthy to need some time for yourself. Respite care and day programs allow you to get that much-needed time away from the rigors of caretaking by providing short-term care for your loved one while you reset and recharge.
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Name: The Life Enrichment Center
Address: 1111 N. Jefferson St., Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: 478-445-7176
Email: contactlec@baldwinlec.org
Description of Services: Our mission is to support and maximize the quality of life for adults with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities through person-centered, community-based programs and services. Services include music therapy, visual arts, and performing arts activities for adults.
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Name: Benchmark Human Services
Address: 530 West Thomas Street, Suite C
Milledgeville, GA 31061Phone Number: (478) 451-0557
Description of Services: Autism Day Services- Day Services participants explore their communities by visiting and volunteering at venues such as parks, zoos, and museums. Though most services are community-based, many programs have a home base where individuals learn life skills like cooking and money management. Individuals can also participate in sports, arts, and personal hobbies including music and recreational therapies.
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Name: Gateway Healthcare Agency
Address: Home health out of Milledgeville
Phone Number: 478.454.5408
Email: Contactus@gatewayhca.com
Description of Services: 24/7 home health care for adults with behavioral or developmental disabilities
Transitional Skills Services
As an individual with autism grows to adulthood, transitioning out of their parents’ or guardians’ care and into independence can be scary. Transitional skills services are designed to help participants acquire the socialization and adaptive skills needed to manage day-to-day life.
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Name: Oconee Center Community Service Board- Community Service Center
Address: 1371 Orchard Hill Road, Milledgeville, GA 31601
Phone Number: 478-445-3201
Description of Services: Community Access Services are designed to assist participants in acquiring, retaining, or improving self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills required for active community participation and independent functioning outside the participant’ or family home. These services may include training in the areas of daily living skills (including leisure/recreation skills); communication training; mobility training; programming to reduce inappropriate and/or maladaptive behaviors; and training in the use of common community resources.
Job Training and Employment Services
Autistic adults can benefit from programs that provide workplace coaching, skill-building, and job placement support. The resources below connect individuals to programs offering training, internships, and employment opportunities tailored to their needs.
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Name: Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency – Milledgeville VR Office
Address: 105 Fieldstone Drive, Suite 112,Milledgeville, GA 31031
Phone Number: (844) 367-4872
Description of Services: Vocational Rehab helps individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.
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Name: Goodwill AbilityOne
Address: 2596 North Columbia Street Milledgeville, 31061
Phone Number: 478.457.0090
Criteria for Participants: documented disability
Description of Services: Participants in the AbilityOne program provide employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or have documented disabilities by delivering products and services to the federal government. These individuals are considered ready to work in a fully integrated work setting but need a supportive work environment with a low level of supervision. Participants in the AbilityOne program provide employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or have documented disabilities by delivering products and services to the federal government. These individuals are considered ready to work in a fully integrated work setting but need a supportive work environment with a low level of supervision. The expected outcome is improving job skills and work habits to a level where the individual can be placed in competitive employment.
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Name: Benchmark Human Services
Address: 530 West Thomas Street, Suite C Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: (478) 451-0557
Description of Services: From job seeking and training to continued support, Benchmark helps individuals find employment that provides income, builds enrichment, and supports community. We start by working with individuals to identify their goals, then assist them through the search and interview process, provide training, and continue to support them throughout their employment.
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Name: Oconee Center Community Service Board- Supported Employment
Address: 1371 Orchard Hill Road, Milledgeville, GA 31601
Phone Number: 478-445-3201
Description of Services: Supported Employment Services are ongoing services that give participants help to become a part of competitive employment opportunities. Supported Employment services are conducted in a variety of settings, particularly work sites where persons without disabilities are employed. Participants who receive Supported Employment services must require long-term, direct, or indirect job-related support in job supervision, adapting equipment, adapting behaviors, transportation assistance, peer support, and/or personal care assistance during the work day. Supported Employment services focus on rapid job search as opposed to more transitional training and consist of activities needed to obtain and sustain a job. These activities include job development and placement, training, and supports that assist participants in achieving self-employment in part or full-time jobs.
Housing Options for Autistic Adults
Supportive housing helps autistic adults live safely and independently. Options include group homes, supervised apartments, and independent living with periodic assistance, often paired with life skills coaching and community support.
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Name: RHA Health Services
Address: 105 Fieldstone Drive Suite 104, Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone Number: 478-452-1100
Description of Services: RHA provides services and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Georgia. We offer residential services – community-based options, group homes, community day services, and more.
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Name: Oconee Center Community Service Board- Community Service Center
Address: 1371 Orchard Hill Road, Milledgeville, GA 31601
Phone Number: 478-445-3201
Description of Services: Community Residential Alternative (CRA) services are targeted for participants who require intense levels of support. These services are a range of interventions with a particular focus on training and support in one or more of the following areas: eating and drinking, toileting, personal grooming and health care, dressing, communication, interpersonal relationships, mobility, home management, and use of leisure time.