County resource guide
Autism Resources in Pope County, Illinois
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Pope County. Illinois statewide resources also apply.
Pope County is home to Golconda and Eddyville in far southeastern Illinois along the Ohio River — one of Illinois's smallest and most rural counties. Pope County Community Unit School District 1 provides special education. Families must travel to Harrisburg, Paducah, Kentucky or the Metro East for all specialized autism services. IDHS's Southern region administers DD waiver enrollment statewide.
Provider directory
Local Providers27 providers in Pope County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Pope County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Golconda · multi-county
Harrisburg Medical Center — Pope County Developmental Referral
Pope County families in Golconda are among Illinois's most rural and remote — this Shawnee Hills county borders Kentucky across the Ohio River. Developmental referrals route to Harrisburg, IL (~35 miles north) or Paducah, KY (~30 miles east). Pope is Illinois's least populated county.
Pope County is Illinois's least populated county. Full evaluations require travel to Harrisburg, Carbondale, or Paducah, KY.
Harrisburg · multi-county
Harrisburg Medical Center — Saline County Developmental Services
Harrisburg Medical Center is the primary hospital for Saline County in southern Illinois. Provides developmental pediatric care and autism referrals to SIU Medicine in Carbondale (~35 miles west) or the Evansville, Indiana metro (~50 miles east). Harrisburg is a coal mining community with strong labor history.
SIU Medicine Carbondale (~35 miles west) or Evansville, IN (~50 miles east) are the primary evaluation hubs for Saline County.
Elizabethtown · multi-county
SIH — Hardin County Referrals
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) is the primary regional medical referral network for Hardin County families in Elizabethtown. Hardin County is Illinois's smallest county by population; comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to Carbondale or Paducah, Kentucky for specialty care.
Vienna · multi-county
SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale — Johnson County Referrals
SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine are the primary medical referrals for Johnson County families in Vienna. Comprehensive autism evaluations are available through SIU's developmental programs in Carbondale for this Southern Illinois Shawnee National Forest county.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Elizabethtown · multi-county
Illinois Early Intervention — Hardin County
Illinois Early Intervention delivers free birth-to-3 developmental services for the small population of Hardin County families in Elizabethtown along the Ohio River. State-coordinated providers serve this extremely rural and isolated SE Illinois county.
Illinois Early Intervention — statewide Child & Family Connections referral line (voice/TTY). Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Vienna · multi-county
Illinois Early Intervention — Johnson County
Illinois Early Intervention provides free birth-to-3 developmental services and autism-related EI supports for Johnson County families in Vienna. State-coordinated providers serve this rural Southern Illinois county in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest.
Illinois Early Intervention — statewide Child & Family Connections referral line (voice/TTY). Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Golconda
Illinois Early Intervention — Pope County
Illinois's IDEA Part C program provides free developmental services for children under age 3 in Pope County. Home-based delivery is the standard and only practical model for this very remote Ohio River border county.
FREE under IDEA Part C. No diagnosis required. Home-based model critical for this remote county.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Golconda · multi-county
SIU Medicine — Southern Illinois ABA Referral (Pope County)
ABA therapy for Pope County children available through SIU Medicine's southern Illinois network. Telehealth and in-home services are the only practical options for this extremely remote county. Accepts commercial insurance and Illinois Medicaid.
Telehealth is essential for this very remote county. Illinois requires commercial insurance to cover ABA.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Elizabethtown · multi-county
Autism Society of Illinois — Far Southern Illinois (Hardin County)
The Autism Society of Illinois connects Hardin County families in Elizabethtown with virtual peer support and statewide resources. Online programming is the only realistic autism community access for families in this tiny, geographically isolated Ohio River county.
Golconda
Autism Society of Illinois — Shawnee Hills (Pope County)
Peer support and resource connections for autism families in Golconda and Pope County. Illinois's least populated county benefits greatly from statewide virtual peer networks and connections to SIU/Carbondale resources.
Contact Autism Society of Illinois for virtual resources. Pope County's remoteness makes online connections essential.
Vienna · multi-county
Autism Society of Illinois — Southern Illinois (Johnson County)
The Autism Society of Illinois connects Johnson County families in Vienna with virtual peer support and statewide resources. Online programming bridges the gap for families in this isolated Southern Illinois Shawnee National Forest county.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Golconda · multi-county
Family Resource Center on Disabilities — Pope County
Illinois's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy and virtual support for Pope County families navigating one of Illinois's most isolated rural school systems.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Virtual consultations essential for this remote county.
Harrisburg · multi-county
Family Resource Center on Disabilities — Saline County
Illinois's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy and family support for Saline County families navigating Harrisburg-area schools and rural southeastern Illinois districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all Illinois counties.
Elizabethtown · multi-county
Family Resource Center on Disabilities — Statewide (Hardin County)
Illinois's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy by phone and virtually for Hardin County families in Elizabethtown. Remote services are absolutely essential for families in Illinois's smallest county, which is extremely geographically isolated along the Ohio River.
Vienna · multi-county
Family Resource Center on Disabilities — Statewide (Johnson County)
Illinois's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy by phone and virtually for Johnson County families in Vienna. Remote services are essential for families in this geographically isolated Southern Illinois Shawnee National Forest county.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the league finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
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Helpful guides
Guides for Pope County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
See all Illinois resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Illinois.
Illinois state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Pope County, Illinois?
We list 15 providers serving Pope County, covering parent & family support, advocacy & legal, diagnostic clinics, early intervention (0–3) and ABA therapy. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Which autism providers in Pope County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Pope County state that they accept Medicaid, including SIU Medicine — Southern Illinois ABA Referral (Pope County). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Pope County?
ABA providers serving Pope County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Are there telehealth autism services for Pope County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Pope County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Pope County?
2 providers serving Pope County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Illinois?
Illinois families can apply to the Illinois DD Waiver, accessed through PUNS, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is 5–10 years — selection is by time spent in 'Seeking Services', and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in Pope County?
If none of the Pope County providers is the right fit, these Illinois counties currently have the most listed providers: Cook County (25), Sangamon County (25), Will County (23), Champaign County (22). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in Illinois
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Pope County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Pope Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in Pope County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Pope County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in Pope County?
If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving Pope County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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