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Autism help.
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You don't have to figure it all out today. Find help with evaluations, school support, scholarship applications and insurance, one step at a time.

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Help starts in your state

School programs and funding rules change at the state line. Florida is our most detailed guide. Each state page explains its coverage.

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The latest Florida checks

  • FES-UA for 2026-27

    Check the award table, application dates, and quarterly attestation requirements. The September payment attestation deadline is September 15, 2026.

  • Florida iBudget pre-enrollment

    APD reported 14,634 people on September 11, 2026. Read the dated report and the limits of comparing it with older estimates.

Sources checked . See source links and all recent corrections.

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Old advice can send you to the wrong office. Check the source and date before acting on a program rule.

Our guides link to official handbooks and agency pages. When we can't confirm a claim, we mark it.

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Questions parents ask

How much money can the FES-UA scholarship give my child?

Your award depends on your county, grade band, and Matrix of Services level. The official 2026-27 table ranges from $9,627 to $39,091 across its published district rows. These are statewide endpoints, not a quote for your child. Look up the exact county and band before making a spending plan.

Step Up 2026-27 award table · Sources checked .

Does Florida have the Katie Beckett program?

Florida does not offer the Katie Beckett (TEFRA) state-plan option. Other Medicaid pathways still exist, and income rules depend on the pathway. Ask DCF about Medicaid eligibility and APD about the iBudget waiver. Joining APD pre-enrollment does not guarantee waiver services or an enrollment date.

Florida DCF Medicaid pathways · Florida Medicaid pathway guide · Sources checked .

My 2 year old stopped talking. What should I do?

Contact your child's doctor as soon as possible and explain which words or skills your child has lost. Ask for a developmental assessment. You can also contact Florida Early Steps for an evaluation before age 3. You do not need to finish an online screening or wait for an autism diagnosis before seeking help.

CDC guidance for families · Florida Early Steps · Sources checked .

How long is the wait for an autism evaluation in Florida?

Wait times vary by provider and change as appointments become available. Ask the provider for its current estimate and cancellation-list process. You can also ask Early Steps or your school district about an evaluation, depending on your child’s age. Our July 2026 provider quotes are historical, not current appointment availability.

Florida evaluation pathways · Florida Early Steps · Sources checked .

What is the Matrix of Services and why does it matter?

The school district completes this rating, which is used for FES-UA scholarship funding. Under the 2026-27 handbook, an initial IEP and matrix request can be made at any time. An existing matrix can be reevaluated every three years, or sooner to correct an error. The district must complete the IEP and matrix within 30 days of the qualifying request and notify the parent and FLDOE within 10 calendar days. Step Up cannot create or change a matrix.

2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook · Matrix request checklist · Sources checked .

Built by two parents who got lost first

We know the feeling of leaving an appointment with more questions than answers. Our family worked through evaluation waits, scholarship paperwork and insurance denials. A therapist pointed us toward help we hadn't known to ask for.

That shouldn't depend on luck. We built SpectrumBeacon to share what we learned, with official sources you can check for yourself.

Daniel and Jessica Plasencia, SpectrumBeacon founders, Florida

Read our full story on the About page, next to how we verify every fact and how this stays free.

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