Most autism-focused programs in our Salt Lake directory are list-only rows: they appear on USBE's Carson Smith eligible-school list, revised Aug 31, 2026, but not in the federal private-school survey, so we can show only name and city. Their presence on that list is what matters for a family using a Carson Smith scholarship.
For a child who already holds the original Carson Smith Scholarship and receives 180 or more minutes of daily special-education service, the 2026-27 amount is $12,175, capped at tuition. That is the largest single figure available to a Salt Lake child with autism, and the legacy scholarship is closed to new students, so families should think carefully before giving it up.
A new student applies to the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship through Children First Education Fund, or takes Utah Fits All at $8,000 and uses part of it on behavioral, speech or occupational therapy from approved marketplace providers. A child can hold only one of the three at a time.
What the account can pay for
- Tuition at a school on USBE's Carson Smith list (Carson Smith path)
- Behavioral, speech-language and occupational therapy from approved providers (Utah Fits All path)
- Assistive devices and educational software (Utah Fits All path)
- Not covered by Utah Fits All: residential treatment
Utah Fits All can pay approved occupational, speech, behavioral, physical and audiology therapy, assistive devices and tutoring; residential treatment is excluded. See every Utah Fits All rule →
Common questions
Which Salt Lake autism programs are on the Carson Smith list?
USBE's Carson Smith eligible-school list, revised Aug 31, 2026, includes Utah Autism Academy in Midvale, Autism Solutions Academy in West Jordan and Autism Behavioral and Intervention in Draper. Families using a Carson Smith scholarship should confirm each program's grades and staffing directly. A family using a Carson Smith scholarship can pay tuition only at schools on that list.
Can Utah Fits All pay for ABA therapy for a Salt Lake child with autism?
Utah Fits All can pay for behavioral therapy as an educational therapy when the provider is approved in Odyssey's marketplace, according to the eligible expense guide. A Salt Lake family should confirm the specific provider is listed before scheduling. Residential treatment is excluded, and therapy paid from Utah Fits All draws down the same $8,000 or home-based award.
Is the Carson Smith or Utah Fits All amount higher for a child with autism?
For a current original Carson Smith student with 180 or more daily service minutes, the 2026-27 Carson Smith amount of $12,175 is higher than Utah Fits All's $8,000. For 1 to 179 minutes it is $7,305, which is lower. The Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship's 2026-27 dollar value has not been posted by USBE.