Autism resources in
Minnehaha 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.

Sanford Children's developmental-behavioral pediatricians in Sioux Falls work to catch delays early and to test, diagnose, and treat children showing signs of autism spectrum disorder or other developmental differences. Their autism clinic offers coordinated, team-based care, and you can call to ask about a referral.

South Dakota's free, statewide early intervention program helps babies and toddlers under age 3 who have developmental delays, offering evaluations and services like speech, physical, and occupational therapy right in your home. You don't need a diagnosis or referral to get started, and the program has 45 days to complete an evaluation once you reach out.

Based at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls, this clinic provides comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for children and adults of any age, using a full team of specialists and ASD-specific assessments. They welcome referrals from families and providers and mail an intake packet to get you scheduled.

A Sioux Falls nonprofit offering autism screening and full evaluations for young children through its STAR clinic, staffed by a psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist. They also provide early therapies once a child is identified.

This is the local early intervention program for children birth to age three with developmental delays, and it covers Minnehaha County directly. A team comes to your home to help you understand your child's development and build a plan together.

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.

The state's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, providing free legal-based help to families of students with disabilities on IEPs, FAPE, discrimination, and transition planning. They can advise you on your child's education rights and, in some cases, advocate directly.

The state office overseeing special education in South Dakota, with parent guides, IEP process documents, and parental rights information organized by your child's age and stage. A helpful place to understand the official rules schools must follow.

South Dakota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, offering free, individualized help so parents can understand their child's rights and navigate the IEP and special education process. Their Navigator Program pairs you with a guide at no cost, from birth through age 26.

The special education team for the Sioux Falls district, serving families across Minnehaha County, evaluates children at no cost and partners with parents through every step of the IEP process. This is where local referrals, evaluations, and IEP meetings begin for enrolled students.

South Dakota's state special education office explains your child's IEP rights and the ways to resolve a disagreement with a school, including filing a complaint, requesting mediation, or asking for a due process hearing. Staff can answer questions about procedural safeguards and free appropriate public education.

A trusted, plain-language guide to special education law that has helped parents understand IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, and their rights under IDEA for more than 25 years. A good starting point when you want to learn the rules before an IEP meeting.

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.

This Sioux Falls hospital clinic offers pediatric developmental-behavioral care, including autism assessment, diagnosis, and early-intervention therapies. Their team can evaluate children showing signs of autism or other developmental delays and coordinate ongoing treatment.

The state's single point of contact for families seeking developmental-disability services, from in-home support to around-the-clock care. Staff help you check eligibility and connect to therapy and long-term supports across South Dakota.

This statewide nonprofit helps families find and navigate to the right services, including therapy providers and evaluations, with free one-on-one guidance and searchable resources by county and diagnosis. It serves parents raising a child with any disability or special health-care need, birth to 26.

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.

ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid. South Dakota doesn't run its own program, so this official state page explains your options and lists other states' ABLE plans you can join from South Dakota.

This is the state's single point of contact for getting your child or family member connected to services like case management, respite, and in-home support. Call and they'll walk you through eligibility and what's available in your community.

South Dakota's Medicaid waivers, including the Family Support 360 and CHOICES waivers, help cover services for people with developmental disabilities so they can live at home and in the community. This state page explains the waivers and points you to how to get started.

East River Legal Services offers free civil legal help to lower-income families across eastern South Dakota, including Minnehaha County, and handles public-benefits issues like Social Security and SSI appeals. Their team can also help with housing and family-law matters at no cost.

South Dakota Medicaid runs two home- and community-based waivers for people with developmental disabilities, covering things like respite, personal care, and specialized therapies so your child can be supported at home. The state Medicaid recipient help line can walk you through eligibility and how to apply.

SSI provides monthly cash benefits to help cover food, clothing, and housing for children and adults with disabilities who have little income. This official U.S. government page explains who qualifies and how to start an application.

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.

A local nonprofit affiliate of the Autism Society, run by parents and professionals in the Rapid City area since 1997. They host welcoming community events like parent nights, park days, bowling and swim socials, and holiday gatherings for autistic individuals and their families.

A program of LifeScape, a well-established South Dakota nonprofit serving thousands of children and adults with disabilities across nearly every county. A Family Support Coordinator can help you access funding, respite and companion care, and connect to community resources.

South Dakota's university center for developmental disabilities at the USD Sanford School of Medicine, serving families statewide with information, clinical services, and disability-specific resources including autism. Their staff can help point you toward the right supports and programs.

A Sioux Falls nonprofit that supports adults with disabilities through accessible housing, day services, employment, and a warm, welcoming community. A good resource as your family looks toward adult services and connection.

A Sioux Falls-based nonprofit offering autism services, therapy, and Family Support programs for children and adults, including monthly support groups for parents. A warm first call when you're looking for both services and other families who understand.

Based in Sioux Falls, they offer year-round sports training and competition for children (age 8+) and adults with intellectual disabilities, plus young athlete and health programs. A joyful way for your child to build friendships and confidence.

The state's free helpline and resource finder for long-term services and supports, including the Division of Developmental Disabilities' adult day, employment, and residential programs. Call to learn what adult DD services and waivers your family may qualify for and how to apply.

The state agency that helps adults with disabilities, including autism, prepare for, find, and keep a job through counseling, training, job coaching, and support services. A rehabilitation counselor works one-on-one with your young adult to build a plan around their strengths and goals.

A statewide nonprofit that provides guardianship and conservatorship services, assessments to determine whether guardianship is appropriate, and consulting for parents planning for a child with disabilities. They also help families think through estate planning and long-term protection.

A statewide project that helps South Dakota youth with disabilities and their families plan the move from high school to adult life, covering employment, college, daily living, guardianship options, and connecting to vocational rehab and DD services. Regional liaisons and events like Project SEARCH and 'Let's Talk Work' help teens build real-world skills.

This university center in Sioux Falls runs a Transition in Action Clinic and other programs that help teens and young adults with developmental disabilities plan for adult life, work, and independence. As South Dakota's federally designated disability center, it also connects families to training and resources statewide.

This state agency helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job through free vocational counseling, training, job placement, and workplace accommodations. The Sioux Falls office serves Minnehaha County families as a young person moves toward employment.

This Sioux Falls nonprofit provides adult day services, shared living, residential programs, and family support coordination for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They can help a family piece together the daily supports an adult child needs to live well in the community.