Mississippi Centers for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities

Local Resources and Useful Links

Social Skills Group

In the social skills group children practice social skills in a structured setting with peers of similar ages and communication style. Groups meet once a week for 6 weeks at a time and are supervised by a BCBA. Each child receives a brief social skill assessment to identify individual targets to work on throughout the group. Implementers lead the group through different activities that allow opportunities for children to interact with peers to practice skills and receive support as necessary. Please refer to our website for more information about upcoming social skills groups.

Parent Training Workshops

Workshops are periodically held by MCARDD staff to provide education and about a place to discuss relevant topics for parents of children with a diagnosis of autism or a developmental disability. Each workshop covers a different topic such as dealing with a new diagnosis, learning the basics of ABA, or the basics of toilet training your child. Please refer to our website for more information about upcoming parent training workshops. Locations and fees may vary.

MCARDD Sib-Support: Supporting Individuals who have a Sibling with a Diagnosis

Siblings of children with autism or developmental disabilities may struggle with having a brother or sister that is “different” from their friends’ brothers and sisters. Our sibling workshops are meant for children without a diagnosis who have a sibling with a diagnosis. Topics for sibling workshops cover a range of topics that address the needs of siblings, like dealing with a new diagnosis in the family or handling peer reactions to their brother or sister. This group also gives children the opportunity to talk to others and receive support for those who have a sibling with a diagnosis of autism.

Counseling Services

Coastal Family Health Center
1046 Division St
Biloxi, MS 39530
(228) 234-5531

Memorial Behavioral Health 
4500 Thirteenth St
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 867-4000

Gulf Coast Mental Health
1600 Broad Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501-3603
(228) 863-1132

School Services

Harrison County School District
16049 Orange Grove Road
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228) 832-9344

Jackson County School District
4700 Colonel Vickrey Road
Vancleave, MS 39565
(228) 826-1757, ext. 320

Hancock County School District
7304 Highway 603
Kiln, Mississippi 39556
(228) 255-0376

Biloxi Public Schools
1424 Father Ryan Avenue
Biloxi, MS  39531
(228) 435-4600

Gulfport School District
2014 Pass Road
Gulfport, MS
(228) 865-4694

Ocean Springs School District
2300 Government Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228) 875-5782
Other School Services

CARES School 
Cindy Hahn Principal
2415 17th St
Gulfport, MS 39501
Telephone: (228) 701-0085
Email: cindy.hahn@mchscares.org

Gulf Coast Autism Project
730 East Beach Blvd
Long Beach, MS 39560
Telephone: (228) 863-1755
Other Services

TEAAM
MYPAC: Mississippi Youth Programs Around the Clock (services for children with serious emotional disturbance)
15465 Oak Lane Suite 100-J
Gulfport, MS 39503
Telephone: (228) 863-4992

MSFAA: Mississippi Families as Allies for Children’s Mental Health (services for children with mental illness/support groups)
5166 Keele St Building A
Jackson, MS 39206
Telephone: (601) 981-1618
Toll Free: 1-800-833-9671

MSPTI Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center (services for parents and children with disabilities)
2 Old River Plc
Jackson, MS 39202
Telephone: (601) 969-0601
Toll free: 1-800-721-7255

Mental Health Association of South Mississippi (adult wellness education, support groups)
4803 Harrison Cir
Gulfport, MS 39507
Telephone: (228) 864-6274
www.msmentalhealth.org