County resource guide
Autism Resources in Howard, Iowa
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Howard. Iowa statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
18 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
New Hampton · multi-county
MercyOne North Iowa — Developmental Referrals (Chickasaw County)
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City serves as the primary referral hub for Chickasaw County families seeking autism evaluations. New Hampton is approximately 40 miles from Mason City, giving Chickasaw County families access to north Iowa's specialist services.
Mason City (~40 miles) is the primary hub for developmental and autism evaluation services in NE Iowa.
Cresco · multi-county
MercyOne North Iowa — Howard County Referral
Howard County families in Cresco access developmental and autism evaluation referrals through MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City (~40 miles west) or Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI (~35 miles east). Cresco sits near the Minnesota and Wisconsin borders.
Rural tri-state region. Families may also access Wisconsin or Minnesota resources given proximity.
Osage · multi-county
MercyOne North Iowa — Mitchell County Referral
Mitchell County families in Osage access developmental and autism evaluation referrals through MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City (~25 miles west). Mason City is the regional hub for north-central Iowa.
Mason City (~25 miles west) is the primary evaluation hub.
Decorah · multi-county
Winneshiek Medical Center — Developmental Referrals
Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah provides primary care and developmental referrals for Winneshiek County. For comprehensive autism evaluations, families access UI Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City (~2 hrs) or providers in La Crosse, WI (~1 hr).
Luther College campus community may provide additional support networks for Decorah families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Cresco · multi-county
Howard County Early ACCESS
Iowa Part C early intervention for children birth–3 in Howard County. Coordinated by AEA 267, providing in-home therapy and developmental support at no cost.
FREE under IDEA Part C.
Osage · multi-county
Mitchell County Early ACCESS
Iowa Part C early intervention for children birth–3 in Mitchell County. Coordinated by AEA 267, providing in-home therapy and family support at no cost.
FREE under IDEA Part C.
Decorah · multi-county
Winneshiek County Early ACCESS
Iowa Part C early intervention for children birth–3 in Winneshiek County. Coordinated through the local AEA, providing in-home developmental therapy and family support at no cost.
FREE under IDEA Part C for eligible children birth to age 3.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Osage · multi-county
Applied Behavioral Advancements — Mitchell County
Home- and community-based ABA therapy for children with autism in Mitchell County. Iowa Medicaid accepted. Serves this rural north Iowa county.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy.
Cresco · multi-county
Applied Behavioral Advancements — North Iowa / Howard County
Home- and community-based ABA therapy for children with autism in Howard County. Iowa Medicaid accepted. Serves this rural northeast Iowa county near the Wisconsin border.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy.
New Hampton · multi-county
Behavioral Innovations — Northeast Iowa Telehealth (Chickasaw Co.)
Telehealth ABA therapy for Chickasaw County families in northeast Iowa. BCBA-supervised parent training and behavior support, with in-person referrals to Waterloo or Mason City providers. Iowa Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible children.
Decorah · multi-county
Behavioral Innovations — Northeast Iowa Telehealth (Winneshiek Co.)
Telehealth ABA therapy for Winneshiek County families in Iowa's driftless northeast corner. BCBA-supervised parent training and behavior support. Iowa Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy. Wisconsin providers may also be geographically accessible.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Osage · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — North Iowa
Statewide parent support and resource connections for Mitchell County autism families. Connects Osage families to Mason City area resources.
Decorah · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — Northeast Iowa
Parent support and statewide resource connections for Winneshiek County autism families through the Autism Society of Iowa. Connects Decorah families to statewide resources and the Norwegian-American heritage community.
Cresco · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — Northeast Iowa
Statewide parent support and resource connections for Howard County autism families through the Autism Society of Iowa.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Decorah · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support for Winneshiek County families from Iowa's federally funded PTI. Phone, video, and in-person consultations available statewide.
FREE. Statewide service — call before any IEP meeting or school dispute.
New Hampton · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support for Chickasaw County families from Iowa's federally funded PTI. Phone, video, and in-person consultations available statewide.
FREE. Statewide service — call before any IEP meeting or school dispute.
Cresco · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support for Howard County families from Iowa's federally funded PTI.
FREE. Statewide service.
Osage · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support for Mitchell County families from Iowa's federally funded PTI.
FREE. Statewide service.
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See all Iowa resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Iowa.
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