The Clarksville metro — Clarksville and Montgomery County, Tennessee, plus the Fort Campbell military community and the Kentucky side around Hopkinsville and Christian County — has real, credentialed help for kids with special needs. Vanderbilt Children's now runs a Developmental Medicine clinic right here in Clarksville, with Vanderbilt's TRIAD autism institute in Nashville as the academic referral. Your local district is Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), the state's largest, and Kentucky families just over the line use their own districts. This is the metro's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help — named experts and clinics where we can verify them, ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham/CALT, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification), never by reviews or who pays. In Tennessee your free front door is the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS, birth–3); in Kentucky it is First Steps (birth–3). For ages 3+ it is your school district's evaluation and IEP. Military families at Fort Campbell: ask about EFMP and the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration. Start there, then the best evaluators, schools, reading specialists, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
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Founder-director Sarah J. McAfee has 25+ years working with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Instruction follows research-based, systematic, cumulative, explicit multisensory methods through a homeschool program and teaching pods.
Center-based program for children with ASD that blends classroom-style learning with one-on-one ABA to prepare kids for a return to mainstream education. Two Clarksville locations (Professional Park and Harnett Court), with diagnosis available.
Exemplary independent school dedicated solely to students with learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, executive-function), accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools. The nearest established specialized day/boarding option for Clarksville-area families, on an 83-acre campus near Nashville.
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System serves students ages 3 to 22 with specialized Exceptional Education programs — autism support, behavior, comprehensive development, and life-skills — within an inclusion model, plus a district preschool for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. In this metro the strongest specialized placements are most often within the public district; insist on the right program through the IEP process.
Fort Campbell's School Liaison Office helps military families navigate enrollment, transfers, and special-education placement across the on-post DoDEA schools and the surrounding CMCSS and Christian County (KY) districts — an essential, no-cost partner when PCS moves disrupt a child's IEP.
STEP, Inc. (TNSTEP), Tennessee's Parent Training and Information Center, offers free help weighing options and pushing for the right program through the IEP process for children birth to 26 — invaluable for Clarksville families, including those new to the area via Fort Campbell.
The public school district serving all of Clarksville and Montgomery County. Its Special Populations / Special Education department delivers IEP and Section 504 services across every school, plus district-run Learning Centers (343 Pageant Lane) offering full- and half-day specialized placements, and has hosted district-wide dyslexia screening events. This is the primary, free, federally-mandated SPED option for Clarksville families and the first stop for any child needing evaluation and services.
A premier JK-12 college-preparatory day and boarding school exclusively for students with learning differences — dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, executive-function deficits, twice-exceptional, and high-functioning autism — on an 83-acre Brentwood campus. Accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and an institutional member of the International Dyslexia Association. Founded 1968 (as Westminster School of Nashville); the clearest peer to The Siena School in the region. Roughly 50-57 miles from Clarksville; boarding available grades 9-12.
Established 1977, a Nashville independent school serving lower, middle, and high school students with learning differences — dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and students on IEPs/504 plans — through small classes and individualized, multisensory instruction. Continuously accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED/SACS) for over 25 years, most recently recertified in 2021. About 50 miles from Clarksville.
A nonprofit therapeutic special-education day school (grades 1-12) serving Middle Tennessee for 35+ years, for students with emotional/psychiatric disorders, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, dual diagnoses, and developmental delays. State-approved by the TN Dept. of Education, so students earn high-school credits toward a diploma. Note: enrollment is via referral/contract from Middle TN public and charter districts (including CMCSS), not direct private admission. About 50 miles from Clarksville.
A 70-year-old nonprofit special-education school in Columbia serving children and young adults (ages 7-22) with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism, including a dedicated state-of-the-art Center for Autism and a Young Adult Academy focused on communication, self-help, and independence. Member of the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) and the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). Day and residential options. Roughly 80 miles from Clarksville — included as a specialized therapeutic option for moderate-to-significant needs given how sparse the immediate area is.
These public schools and programs have a solid track record in special education — but we don’t re-check them every year. Staff, leadership, and programs change from building to building and year to year. Treat this as a strong starting point, and confirm the current fit for your child.
District program offering evidence-based, hands-on instruction for preschool-age children and themed learning activities for elementary students, including supports for students with developmental needs. Free and public; offerings change year to year.
Vanderbilt Children's runs a Developmental Medicine clinic right in Clarksville — board-certified developmental-behavioral evaluation for autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns, backed by one of the nation's leading academic children's hospitals. The strongest local diagnostic option in Montgomery County, with referral to Nashville for complex cases.
TRIAD (Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders) at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is Tennessee's nationally regarded home for autism diagnostic assessment for children up to age 18, with parent workshops and the TN Cares provider network. A drive from Clarksville and the academic referral for complex cases.
The American Board of Professional Psychology's directory lists clinicians who passed board certification in clinical neuropsychology — the credential to verify in any private evaluator across the Clarksville metro, instead of trusting star ratings.
Tennessee's 'Say Dyslexia' law requires districts to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia and provide evidence-based, multisensory, structured-literacy intervention through the RTI² framework. CMCSS must offer this free — request dyslexia screening and services in writing, and know your rights before paying for private tutoring.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators lists accredited O-G practitioners, and the Academic Language Therapy Association's Tennessee chapter (altaread.org) lists Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs) near Clarksville — the gold-standard credentials for a private dyslexia tutor, instead of trusting ads. Insist on Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton, or Take Flight — evidence-based methods only.
A huge audiobook/highlighting library — free for students with a qualifying reading disability, so your child keeps up with grade-level books while they learn to decode.
Specialty provider of physical, occupational, and speech therapy for the Clarksville / Fort Campbell area, with multiple ASHA-certified (CCC-SLP) speech-language pathologists and pediatric occupational therapists on staff.
Pediatric clinic offering individualized speech, language, occupational, feeding, and physical therapy by licensed clinicians in Clarksville, TN.
Staffed by several ASHA-certified (CCC/SLP) speech-language pathologists plus an OTD/OTR/L-credentialed occupational therapist, offering speech, language, learning, and OT support.
Hopebridge's Clarksville center provides BCBA-led applied behavior analysis plus diagnostic assessments and ABA, OT, and speech evaluations under one roof — a credentialed local autism provider. Ask about BHCOE accreditation and, for military families, TRICARE.
Advanced Therapy Solutions runs two Clarksville clinics offering BCBA-led ABA alongside occupational therapy, speech therapy, and counseling for children and adolescents — a credentialed, multidisciplinary local option in Montgomery County. Confirm BCBA, CCC-SLP, and OTR/L credentials of your child's specific providers.
BlueSprig Autism and Acorn Health each operate Clarksville ABA centers staffed by Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), collaborating with speech and occupational therapists — additional credentialed local options. Ask about BHCOE accreditation and TRICARE for Fort Campbell families.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across the Clarksville metro, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Clarksville, Oak Grove, or Hopkinsville find the nearest credentialed clinician.
Vanderbilt Children's Developmental Medicine clinic in Clarksville offers board-certified developmental-behavioral evaluation for autism, ADHD, and developmental concerns — a strong local medical home for diagnosis, with Vanderbilt's Nashville campus as the academic referral for complex cases.
Families at Fort Campbell should enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) through Army Community Service and the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital EFMP clinic, and ask about the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration, which covers ABA for eligible dependents. EFMP coordinates assignments and services around your child's needs — a key, no-cost military benefit. ACS EFMP: (270) 798-2727.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving the Clarksville metro — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving the Clarksville metro — the field's real professional standard.
STEP, Inc. (TNSTEP) is Tennessee's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center — free help understanding your rights, evaluations, and the IEP process for children birth to 26. A respected statewide free resource before hiring a private advocate.
Tennessee's protection & advocacy agency offers free legal information and advocacy for special-education rights — a no-cost first stop before hiring a private advocate or attorney. Kentucky families can use Kentucky Protection & Advocacy.
For children birth to 3 in Tennessee, TEIS provides free developmental evaluations and early-intervention therapies at no cost to families — the earliest, no-barrier place to start in Montgomery County. Call (800) 852-7157.
For families on the Kentucky side — Hopkinsville, Christian County, and Oak Grove near Fort Campbell — First Steps (Kentucky Early Intervention System), Pennyrile District, provides free evaluation and early-intervention services for children birth to 3. Point of entry in Hopkinsville: (270) 886-5186.
For families at Fort Campbell, the TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration covers ABA therapy for eligible dependents with autism — a major low/no-cost path to services. Pair it with EFMP enrollment through Army Community Service.
TNSTEP offers free help understanding evaluations, IEPs, and your rights for children birth to 26 — a no-cost first call for any Clarksville-area family navigating special education.
For children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or disability, TEIS — Tennessee's statewide early-intervention program — provides free evaluation and services (speech, occupational, physical therapy, developmental therapy, and family coaching) at no cost to families in Montgomery County and across Tennessee. A child qualifies with a 25% delay in two areas or a 40% delay in one, or with a qualifying diagnosis. Call (800) 852-7157 — the earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) — Tennessee's largest district. Under Tennessee rules the district must complete the evaluation within 60 calendar days of your written consent, then hold an eligibility/IEP meeting. Kentucky families near Hopkinsville request through Christian County Public Schools (60 school days in KY). This is the free legal route to an IEP under IDEA.
Tennessee's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied. A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
Federally funded and free — they help Tennessee families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Tennessee's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
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How do I start the special-education process in Clarksville?
Put your request in writing to your child's school, asking for a full special-education evaluation — that is the legal first step. On A New Story you'll find a free, ready-to-send evaluation-request letter you can use today.
How long does a special-education evaluation take?
Once you give written consent, the school generally must complete the evaluation and hold an eligibility meeting within a set timeline (often around 60 days, though it varies by state). Putting your request in writing starts the clock.
Can my school district pay for a private special-education school?
Sometimes. If the public school can't provide an appropriate education, the district can be required to fund a state-approved nonpublic placement. It isn't automatic — it takes the right evaluation and advocacy — but families do it every year, including ones with limited funds.
What's the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP provides specialized instruction and services under IDEA; a 504 plan provides accommodations under civil-rights law. A New Story's free guides walk you through which one fits your child.
Where can I find free special-education help in Clarksville?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Tennessee — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.