NJ Autism Resources by County: A Guide for All 21 Counties

If your child was recently identified as autistic, finding the right help can feel like learning a new language overnight.

The good news is that New Jersey has one of the most developed support systems in the country, and much of it is organized at the county level. This guide to NJ autism resources by county walks you through the statewide programs that serve all 21 counties, how to reach the case management unit in your own county, and the practical first calls that open doors to evaluation, therapy, and ongoing support. Every family's path looks a little different, but the entry points below are the same whether you live in Bergen, Cumberland, or anywhere in between.

How New Jersey Autism Resources Are Organized by County

New Jersey delivers most autism-related support through a combination of statewide programs and county-based offices. Understanding this structure makes the whole system far less overwhelming. In general, services are grouped by your child's age and needs:

• Birth to age 3: the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), accessed through regional points of entry.
• Children and teens under 21: PerformCare, the single point of entry for the state's Children's System of Care.
• All ages, birth to 21st birthday: your county's Special Child Health Services (SCHS) Case Management Unit.
• Adults 21 and older: the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), with a Community Services Office for each county.

Because each of the 21 counties operates its own case management unit and DDD office, the phone number you call depends on where you live, even though the underlying program is statewide. If you would rather have one person help you sort it all out, Autumn ABA can talk you through these services and where to begin.

County Special Child Health Services Case Management

One of the most useful, and most overlooked, of all NJ autism resources by county is the Special Child Health Services (SCHS) Case Management Unit. Every one of New Jersey's 21 counties has one, funded by the NJ Department of Health and the county Board of Commissioners. These units serve children with special health care needs from birth up to their 22nd birthday, completely free of charge.

A case manager can help you:

• Understand your child's diagnosis and what services they qualify for.
• Connect to early intervention, therapy providers, and support groups close to home.
• Coordinate care across doctors, schools, and agencies so nothing falls through the cracks.
• Plan for transitions, such as moving from early intervention into preschool services.

To find your county's unit, visit the NJ Department of Health's county contact list (linked in the references below) and call the office for the county where you live. There is no diagnosis requirement to ask questions, so this is a safe and friendly first call.

Early Intervention for Children Under 3 (Every County)

If your child is younger than three and you have any developmental concerns, the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) is often the fastest place to start. NJEIS serves infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 across all 21 counties through regional offices called System Points of Entry.

To make a referral, you (or your pediatrician) simply call 1-888-653-4463. A service coordinator will talk through your concerns and, with your consent, schedule a free evaluation. Evaluation and assessment are provided at public expense, so there is no cost to families to find out whether your child qualifies.

Research consistently shows that starting support early leads to better outcomes, which is why the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend autism-specific screening at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits. Some early intervention services use methods grounded in applied behavior analysis, so if you are curious about that approach, our plain-English guide to NJ early intervention for autism explains exactly how it works and how to ask for it.

PerformCare: Behavioral Services for Children and Teens

For children and youth under 21, PerformCare is New Jersey's single statewide point of entry into the Children's System of Care. It serves families in every county and connects youth with behavioral health, substance use, and intellectual or developmental disability services, including support related to autism.

You can reach PerformCare 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 1-877-652-7624. There is no charge to call. The same number reaches Mobile Response, a crisis service that can send help to your home if your child is having a serious behavioral health emergency.

PerformCare is a common gateway for families seeking ABA and other supports, especially if your child is enrolled in NJ FamilyCare. To understand how this entry point connects to therapy and authorizations, see our detailed walkthroughs of PerformCare NJ and ABA services and how to start ABA therapy in New Jersey.

DDD Services for Teens Turning 18 and Adults

As your child approaches adulthood, the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) becomes a key part of any list of NJ autism resources by county. DDD operates a Community Services Office for each county, and that local office is where applications and intake happen.

A few important timing details to plan around:

• Individuals can be evaluated for eligibility as early as age 18.
• DDD services themselves begin at age 21, and the person must be Medicaid eligible to receive them.
• Eligibility requires a chronic disability that began before age 22, is lifelong, and substantially limits at least three areas of daily life.

You can submit a completed Application for Determination of Eligibility in person, by mail, or by email to your county's Community Services Office, and DDD has up to 60 days to notify you of the decision. Because the process takes time, families often begin gathering documentation at 18 so services are ready when their young adult turns 21. Our guide on NJ DDD services for autism breaks down each step.

One Statewide Number That Covers Every County

If you only remember one resource from this guide, make it the Autism New Jersey Helpline. This free statewide service has deep knowledge of resources in every county and can match your family's specific needs to local options, whether that involves early intervention, special education, insurance coverage, or adult services.

You can reach the Helpline at 1-800-4-AUTISM (1-800-428-8476), weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with voicemail at other times and most calls returned within 24 hours. Think of it as a friendly switchboard for the entire state: if you are not sure which door to knock on, this is the call that points you to the right one.

When you are ready to look at in-home ABA specifically, you can also explore the counties Autumn ABA serves or browse our full library of parent resources.

Putting It All Together: Your First Three Calls

Knowing about a dozen agencies is helpful, but knowing where to start is what actually moves things forward. Here is a simple sequence that works for most families, no matter which county you call home:

• Call 1 (orientation): Autism NJ Helpline at 1-800-428-8476 to map out your options.
• Call 2 (your age-based entry point): NJEIS at 1-888-653-4463 if your child is under 3, or PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624 if they are between 3 and 21.
• Call 3 (local coordination): your county's Special Child Health Services Case Management Unit to tie everything together close to home.

From there, an ABA provider can help you understand assessment, therapy hours, and insurance. If you would like a knowledgeable partner to walk beside you, Autumn ABA provides in-home ABA therapy across all 21 New Jersey counties. You can get started with a free consultation whenever you are ready, and we will meet you wherever you are in the process.

Frequently asked questions

Helpful resources & references

• Autism New Jersey - Helpline
• PerformCare NJ - Children's System of Care
• NJ Department of Health - Special Child Health Services Case Management Contacts by County
• New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS)
• NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities - Apply for Services
• CDC - Accessing Services for Autism Spectrum Disorder