Autism resources in
Cascade County.

Free CDC milestone checklists and a Milestone Tracker app help you follow your child's development from 2 months to 5 years, so you know what to watch for and when to act. A gentle first step when you're unsure whether to seek an evaluation.

The Developmental Educational Assistance Program offers autism spectrum diagnostic evaluations using the ADOS for children across 17 counties of eastern Montana. They can also help determine eligibility for early intervention or school services and connect you to next steps.

A long-standing Montana nonprofit that delivers Part C early intervention for children birth to 3 and family education and support for kids up to 16 across western and southwest Montana. Their team coaches parents right in the home to support each child's development.

An interdisciplinary clinic in Billings that assesses children with complex developmental concerns, including direct autism evaluation with a team covering development, medical, and speech. It's a warm, thorough option when your child needs a fuller picture than a single screening can give.

Based at the University of Montana Rural Institute, this statewide program helps parents of children with disabilities or special health needs find providers, programs, and other families. If you're not sure where to start after a diagnosis, they'll help you research your options.

This is Montana's free statewide early intervention program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or a diagnosed condition. A service coordinator helps your family get evaluations and supports like speech, occupational, and physical therapy right where you live.

The pediatric team here handles developmental milestone screening, behavioral and developmental pediatrics, and ADHD evaluation right in Great Falls. It's a good starting point if you're noticing delays and want your child looked at close to home.

This Great Falls nonprofit runs Cascade County's birth-to-3 early intervention program for babies and toddlers when there's any question about development. Services come to your home, there's no cost to families, and there's no waiting list.

Every state has a federally funded Parent Training & Information Center offering free help with IEPs, special-education rights, and early intervention. This hub's directory locates the center that serves your state.

A national nonprofit protecting the rights of students with disabilities. Use their member directory to find a special-education attorney or trained advocate near you when you need help with an IEP or a dispute with a school.

Every state has a federally mandated Protection & Advocacy agency that offers free legal help when a school isn't following your child's IEP or evaluating them as required. This directory connects you to the office serving your area.

Montana's official protection and advocacy organization, providing free legal help, individual advocacy, and information when your child faces problems like denial of special education services or discrimination at school. They can advise you on your rights and, in some cases, represent students with disabilities.

Montana's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, run by parents of kids with disabilities, offering free one-on-one help so you can understand your child's IEP, 504 plan, and special education rights. They support families of children birth through age 26 in all 56 counties by phone and email.

The state agency that oversees special education in Montana, with a Family & School Liaison who can answer questions and help you connect with the right supports for your child's IEP. Their Early Assistance Program also helps parents and schools resolve special education disagreements at no cost.

Your local school district's special education team helps evaluate and support students ages 3 to 21 who qualify for services, and coordinates IEPs and related supports. You can reach a coordinator directly with questions about your child's plan.

You matter too. Psychology Today's therapist finder filters for 'caregiver stress' and 'autism family,' and Open Path Collective offers reduced-cost therapy sessions nationwide. You cannot support your child well without also supporting yourself.

Montana Medicaid covers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children and young adults with an autism diagnosis, delivered by licensed Board Certified Behavior Analysts. The state site includes a provider locator so you can search for an enrolled BCBA near you.

A Montana children's hospital in Helena (with clinics in Butte and Great Falls) offering outpatient speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, and neurodevelopmental and genetic evaluations that can help with an autism diagnosis. They accept all insurances and offer in-person and virtual appointments.

Benefis Health System's pediatric therapy team provides speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children of all ages right here in Great Falls. Licensed therapists help with communication, motor skills, feeding, and swallowing.

A Great Falls treatment center offering ABA therapy, in-home early intervention, and behavioral health support for children with autism and their families. They have worked with local families since 2006.

ABLE accounts let people with disabilities (onset before age 26) save money tax-free without losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. This center compares every state's ABLE program so you can pick the best one for your family.

Montana ABLE lets a person with a disability (with onset before age 26) save and invest money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other benefits. Balances up to $100,000 don't count against the SSI resource limit, and earnings grow tax-free when used for qualified costs.

Montana's state Developmental Disabilities Program runs the 0208 Comprehensive HCBS Medicaid waiver, which pays for home- and community-based supports so people with autism and other developmental disabilities can live at home instead of in an institution. Services are available at no cost to eligible individuals of any age, and a case manager can help you apply and get on the list.

Montana's Family Supports hub connects families of people with developmental disabilities to the Developmental Disabilities Program, respite care, and other behavioral health services. It's a good starting point for finding planned or emergency respite so a caregiver can get a needed break.

MLSA is a nonprofit law firm that gives free civil legal help to low-income Montanans, including cases involving SSI, SSDI, and other public benefits families depend on. You can call their HelpLine or apply online for advice and representation.

This is where Montana families apply for Medicaid and health coverage, the gateway to most disability services and the waiver. You can apply online, by phone, or through the Great Falls field office, and the helpline can answer eligibility questions.

The nation's oldest grassroots autism organization. Their National Helpline connects families to information and referrals, and their affiliate finder points you to a local chapter in your area for in-person support and events.

The largest national community-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters offer advocacy, family support, and lifelong services. Use the chapter finder to locate the office nearest you.

Dial 2-1-1 (or visit 211.org) to reach a free, confidential referral line for local health and human services in almost every US community — including disability services, respite, food, housing, and financial assistance.

Montana's state health department runs this coalition to help caregivers of children and adults with disabilities find planned or emergency respite care so they can take a needed break. Their searchable resource directory lets you look up in-home and out-of-home respite options by location.

A Billings-based nonprofit founded by parents over 40 years ago, STEP offers home-based support for children and adults with developmental disabilities and runs a Lifespan Respite Program that links respite workers with any Montana family in need. Services are provided to eligible families at no cost.

Eagle Mount offers adaptive and therapeutic recreation in Great Falls for children and adults of all abilities, from horseback riding and skiing to summer camps. It's a joyful way for your child to play, build confidence, and make friends alongside families who get it.

Peace Place is a licensed Great Falls nonprofit offering free, part-time respite childcare for young children who are neurodivergent or have special needs. It gives you trusted care and a real break, plus caregiver support and parent resources.

A Great Falls nonprofit since 1977, Quality Life Concepts supports children and adults with developmental disabilities through in-home and community services, family education, day programs, and residential care across nine North Central Montana counties. They can help your family find the right supports close to home.

The state DDP funds long-term adult supports through Medicaid Home and Community-Based waiver services, including residential help, community inclusion, employment support, and case management for people 16 and older. Services are provided at no cost through regional offices across Montana.

Based at the University of Montana Rural Institute, this program helps youth and young adults with significant disabilities move from school into customized community employment and adult life. Their free Alternatives to Guardianship Toolkit walks families through supported decision-making in education, health care, and finances.

Montana's state VR program helps adults with disabilities find and keep meaningful jobs through career counseling, job coaching, on-the-job training, and school or trade-school funding. Their staff can walk your young adult through the steps from school toward employment.

This Great Falls nonprofit supports adults with disabilities through job coaching, employment placement, day habilitation, and residential and supported-living programs. It is a well-known local resource for the transition into adult life and work.

This pooled special-needs trust lets families set aside money for a loved one with a disability without risking their SSI, Medicaid, or waiver eligibility. It is a practical way to plan for your child's future needs like equipment, travel, or extra care.