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Autism in Delaware

You are not alone. Here is what is true about the child population and public systems in Delaware — and where to start with early intervention, school, and coverage.

The short answer for Delaware

  • You are not alone in Delaware: Census counts 211,937 children ages 0–17 (Vintage 2023).
  • IDEA Part B (SY 2022–23): 3,650 children ages 3–21 reported under the Autism disability category in special education (OSEP Section 618) — a served count, not a full population census.
  • Under 3: Birth to Three Early Intervention System. School age: written evaluation request to the district; statewide info via Delaware Department of Education — Exceptional Children.
  • Coverage: Delaware Medicaid. Rights: Community Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program.
  • Published access checklist: 100% (stronger published access path). City numbers only appear later with true local sources.

You are not alone in Delaware

Families across Delaware are navigating evaluation, school plans, and services. The figures below are from primary public sources — Census population and IDEA special-education child counts — not invented totals.

  • 211,937 children ages 0–17 live in Delaware (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 civilian estimates). You share this state with a large generation of families raising kids.
  • In school year 2022–23, Delaware reported 3,650 children ages 3–21 receiving special education under the Autism disability category (U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Section 618). That is a real administrative count of children served under that category — still not every autistic child in the state, but clear proof many families are on a related path.
  • Public systems exist because this is not rare here: Birth to Three Early Intervention System, school special education, Delaware Medicaid, and Community Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program.

Key numbers for autism families in Delaware

Children ages 0–17 in Delaware211,937Families share this state with a large generation of kidsU.S. Census · Vintage 2023Source [1]
In special education under “Autism” (ages 3–21)3,650Served under IDEA Part B Autism category — not every autistic childIDEA §618 Part B · SY 2022-23Source [2]
Share of special education (Part B)13.3%Of all Part B disabilities ages 3–21 in the same reportIDEA §618 Part B · SY 2022-23Source [2]
How common identification is (national)1 in 31CDC monitoring sites · context only, not a Delaware censusCDC ADDM · 2022Source [3]
In early intervention (birth–2, all reasons)1,566Part C total served — not autism-onlyIDEA §618 Part C · SY 2022–23Source [10]

Of the IDEA Autism total: 579 ages 3–5 and 3,071 school age 5–21.Source [2]

Where to start in Delaware

Pick the path that matches your child. Each bullet is one clear action.

  1. If your child is under 3

    Call early intervention

    • WhoBirth to Three Early Intervention System
    • Do thisAsk for a developmental evaluation
    • Good to knowYou usually do not need a private autism diagnosis first
    • Phone302-283-7240
    Start a referralProgram homepage
    Source [5]

  2. If your child is 3 or older

    Ask the school for an evaluation

    • WhoYour local school district
    • Do thisSend a written request for a special education evaluation
    • SaveDate the letter and keep a copy
    • Statewide infoDelaware Department of Education
    Open special education infoHow IEPs work
    Source [6]

  3. For health coverage

    Check Medicaid

    • WhoDelaware Medicaid
    • Ask aboutChildren’s coverage
    • Also askEPSDT (screening and treatment for kids on Medicaid)
    • Also askAny developmental disability or HCBS waivers
    • RememberThe agency decides eligibility — not this site
    • ExpansionYes in this catalog[9]— re-check before you rely on it
    Open Medicaid site
    Source [7]

  4. If you are stuck or ignored

    Get free disability rights help

    • WhoCommunity Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program
    • WhenSchool or an agency will not act
    • Do thisContact them and put your concerns in writing
    • AlsoKeep copies of emails, letters, and meeting notes
    Contact rights helpIf you disagree with the school
    Source [8]

Programs and rights in Delaware

Extra official links from the depth research pass. Only fields with a published source are shown. (Full research template.)

Early intervention

Special education rights

Medicaid, DD services, and waivers

Private insurance mandate

  • Delaware Code Title 18 § 3367 and related sections require certain health insurance policies to cover autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and related care. Confirm current code and plan type.[11]
  • Read statute / official source

Other official help lines

What to do next

If your child is under 3

  1. Refer to Birth to Three Early Intervention System using the official intake information on this page (source: ECTA Part C directory).
  2. You can usually refer without waiting for a private autism diagnosis.
  3. Ask about evaluation timelines and the written IFSP process.

If your child is preschool- or school-age

  1. Send a written request for a special education evaluation to your school district (keep a copy and note the date).
  2. Use statewide special education information from Delaware Department of Education — Exceptional Children for parent rights and procedural safeguards.
  3. Ask whether the team is considering IEP or 504 supports and request Prior Written Notice of decisions.

Health coverage and rights

  1. Start with Delaware Medicaid for public coverage pathways; ask about EPSDT and any DD or HCBS waivers.
  2. If access or rights are blocked, contact Community Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program.
  3. Document everything in writing.

At ages 0–4

toddlers and preschoolers
  • Refer to Birth to Three Early Intervention System as soon as you have developmental concerns — do not wait for a private diagnosis.
  • Ask your pediatrician for developmental screening and a parallel EI referral the same week.
  • If your child is approaching age 3, ask EI about the transition to school-based services (Part B).

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

At ages 5–8

5 to 8 year olds
  • Put a special education evaluation request in writing to the school principal or special education director.
  • Use the state special education page for parent rights materials: https://education.delaware.gov/educators/academic-support/exceptional-children/
  • Ask whether a 504 plan or IEP is under consideration and request Prior Written Notice of decisions.

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

At ages 9–12

9 to 12 year olds
  • Review the IEP or 504 annually; ask for data on progress, not only compliance with minutes.
  • If the district delays evaluation or services, use state complaint and mediation options via Delaware Department of Education guidance and Community Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program.
  • Document home and school differences (sleep, shutdowns, learning) in a short written summary for the team.

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

At ages 13–16

teenagers
  • Confirm transition planning is in the IEP (federally required by age 16; many states start earlier).
  • Ask Delaware Medicaid about adult-serving waivers or long-term supports planning well before age 18.
  • Involve your teenager in meetings; Community Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program can help if rights or access are blocked.

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

Official autism-related contacts in Delaware

Early intervention under 3 (Birth to Three Early Intervention System)

Birth to Three Early Intervention System[5]
Delaware DHSS Division of Public Health[4]

Also see: Early intervention guide

School and special education

Start with your local school district (written evaluation request). Statewide:

IEP or 504 · IEP disputes

Medicaid

Ask about EPSDT and any developmental disability or HCBS waivers.

Disability rights help

Cities in Delaware

Metro guides with local intake contacts, district links, and evaluation pathways:

Autism in Dover →Dover, Delaware's state capital, runs the same three-part system as the rest of the state: Birth to Three intake for Kent County, Capital School District's special services office, and DDDS — whose central intake unit sits in the same city as the family requesting it.6 local resources listedAutism in Newark, Delaware →For the Newark near the University of Delaware, not the New Jersey city of the same name: Christina School District's Child Find office, the county's Birth to Three intake line, and the state DDDS eligibility process, plus Autism Delaware's own office located right here.5 local resources listedAutism in Wilmington →Wilmington's unusual split: the city's schools fall across four separate districts, so this page names which one likely covers your address, alongside the county's Birth to Three intake line, Nemours' Swank Autism Center, and Delaware's DDDS system.5 local resources listed

Common questions about autism supports in Delaware

References

  1. [1]U.S. Census Bureau. Vintage 2023 civilian population by single year of age (SC-EST2023-AGESEX-CIV), ages 0–17 summed for Delaware. As of 2023-07-01. Open source
  2. [2]U.S. Department of Education (IDEA §618). Part B Child Count and Educational Environments, school year 2022-23. Children ages 3–21 reported under the Autism disability category (early childhood + school-age totals). This is a count of children served under that category — not a full census of all autistic children. Open source
  3. [3]CDC ADDM Network. Surveillance year 2022: overall ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds across 16 ADDM Network monitoring sites (not every US community) was 32.2 per 1,000 (about 1 in 31). National monitoring-site context only — not a statewide headcount for Delaware. Open source
  4. [4]ECTA Center · Part C directory. Part C state systems and coordinators directory (used for Birth to Three Early Intervention System program and referral fields). Confirm current details on the state site. Open source
  5. [5]Birth to Three Early Intervention System. Delaware DHSS Division of Public Health. Official early intervention program site for Delaware. Open source
  6. [6]Delaware Department of Education — Exceptional Children. Statewide special education information for Delaware. Day-to-day IEPs start with the local school district. Open source
  7. [7]Delaware Medicaid. Public Medicaid / health coverage entry point listed for Delaware. Eligibility is decided by the agency. Open source
  8. [8]Community Legal Aid Society — Disabilities Law Program. Protection & Advocacy organization linked for Delaware. Open source
  9. [9]Kaiser Family Foundation. Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Catalog coding for Delaware: expanded. Re-check the live tracker before citing. Open source
  10. [10]U.S. Department of Education (IDEA §618 Part C). Total infants and toddlers birth through age 2 receiving Part C early intervention (all eligibility reasons — not autism-only). OSEP Section 618. Open source
  11. [11]State insurance statute / DOI. Delaware Code Title 18 § 3367 and related sections require certain health insurance policies to cover autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and related care. Confirm current code and plan type. Open source

Last checked 2026-08-03. If a link has moved, use the agency’s current homepage.

Last checked 2026-08-03. Programmes and numbers change — always confirm with the agency and your clinician.