County resource guide
Autism Resources in Polk County, Iowa
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Polk County. Iowa statewide resources also apply.
Polk County (Des Moines) is served by Blank Children's Hospital for developmental evaluations. Iowa Compass (operated by University of Iowa's CDD) is an excellent free resource navigation service, and Iowa Compass (PTI) provides free IEP advocacy statewide. Iowa requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy, and Iowa's Early ACCESS early intervention program serves young children under 3.
Provider directory
Local Providers23 providers in Polk County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed for accuracy before publication. To suggest a correction, use the “Suggest a correction” link below.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Des Moines · multi-county
Blank Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Autism and developmental evaluations at Blank Children's Hospital (UnityPoint Health), Des Moines' primary pediatric center. Serves Polk County and families from Central Iowa.
Indianola · multi-county
Blank Children's Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics
Autism and developmental evaluations at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, the closest major pediatric center for Warren County families. Provides comprehensive multidisciplinary assessments.
Located in Des Moines (~25 min from Indianola). Referral from primary care recommended.
Winterset · multi-county
Blank Children's Hospital — Madison County Referral
Madison County families in Winterset (birthplace of John Wayne) access autism evaluations at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, approximately 30 miles east. Blank Children's is the primary pediatric hub for the greater Des Moines metro.
Des Moines (~30 miles east) is the primary evaluation hub for Madison County families.
Adel · multi-county
Broadlawns Medical Center — Developmental Pediatrics
Developmental pediatric services at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, the primary public hospital serving Dallas County and the greater metro. Provides autism screenings and referrals for comprehensive evaluation at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital.
Broadlawns accepts Iowa Medicaid. Fast-growing suburb — Iowa Methodist and UI Children's also accessible.
Johnston
ChildServe Autism Program — Johnston
Autism assessments, diagnoses, early intervention, ABA, and behavioral support. Johnston and Ames locations serving Polk County families.
Source: https://www.childserve.org/autism-program-for-kids-in-iowa/
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Newton · multi-county
Applied Behavioral Advancements — Central Iowa
ABA therapy serving Jasper County families, with BCBA-supervised home and community-based programming. Iowa Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible children.
Des Moines
Carelinks ABA — Des Moines
In-home ABA therapy serving children and young adults ages 2–21 in Des Moines, Polk County, and across Iowa.
Source: https://www.carelinksaba.com/locations/des-moines
Winterset · multi-county
Centria Autism — Madison County
ABA therapy for Madison County families. BCBA-supervised home- and community-based programming. Iowa Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy.
Indianola · multi-county
Centria Autism — South Des Moines Metro
ABA therapy services serving Warren County families, with centers in the Des Moines metro area. BCBA-supervised programming with home and center options. Iowa Medicaid accepted.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible children.
Waukee · multi-county
Centria Autism — Waukee
Center-based ABA therapy in Waukee for children with autism. Centria offers BCBA-supervised programming with individualized treatment plans. Iowa Medicaid and most commercial insurance accepted.
Iowa Medicaid covers ABA therapy for eligible children.
Des Moines · multi-county
Hopebridge — Des Moines
Center-based ABA therapy in the Des Moines metro. BCBA-supervised. Accepts most commercial insurance and Iowa Medicaid.
Iowa requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Des Moines
Autism Society of Iowa
Iowa's statewide autism organization. Support groups, resource navigation, family events, and advocacy across Polk County and statewide.
Indianola · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — Central Iowa
Parent support groups, community events, and statewide resource connections for Warren County autism families. The Autism Society of Iowa covers the Des Moines metro including Indianola.
Newton · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — Central Iowa
Statewide parent support network and resource hub for autism families in Jasper County. The Autism Society of Iowa hosts events in the greater Des Moines metro accessible from Newton.
Winterset · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — Central Iowa
Statewide parent support and resource connections for Madison County autism families through the Autism Society of Iowa.
Adel · multi-county
Autism Society of Iowa — Central Iowa Chapter
Parent support, resource sharing, and community events for autism families in Dallas County and the greater Des Moines metro. The Autism Society of Iowa connects families to local and statewide networks.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Iowa City · multi-county
Iowa Compass — Information & Referral Network
Iowa's premier information and referral service for disability and special education resources. Operated by the University of Iowa Center for Disabilities and Development. Free resource navigation, service coordination, and referrals statewide.
FREE. The first call for any Iowa family navigating autism services — excellent resource navigation.
Des Moines · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Iowa's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Iowa families statewide.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential before any IEP meeting or dispute in Iowa.
Adel · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Iowa's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center offers free IEP advocacy, training, and individualized support for Dallas County families navigating special education.
FREE. Statewide service — call before any IEP meeting or school dispute.
Indianola · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support from Iowa's federally funded PTI. Available to all Warren County families by phone, video, or in person.
FREE. Statewide service — call before any IEP meeting or school dispute.
Newton · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy, special education support, and training for Jasper County families from Iowa's federally funded PTI. Phone and in-person consultations available statewide.
FREE. Statewide service — call before any IEP meeting or school dispute.
Knoxville · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support for Marion 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.
Winterset · multi-county
Iowa PTI — Parent Training and Information Center
Free IEP advocacy and special education support for Madison County families from Iowa's federally funded PTI.
FREE. Statewide service.
For providers
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Polk County.
School & special education
- Des Moines Public Schools — Special Education
Des Moines is the largest city in Polk County.
Services & benefits
- Iowa HHS — Polk County DD Services
Contact Iowa HHS for Polk County HCBS waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- Iowa HHS — Polk County DD Services
Contact Iowa HHS for Polk County HCBS waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- Iowa HHS — Polk County DD Services
Contact Iowa HHS for Polk County HCBS waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Polk 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.
Communities served
Cities in Polk County
Serving families across Polk County including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Pleasant Hill, Altoona, Grimes and Windsor Heights and more.
See all Iowa resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Iowa.
Iowa state guide →Nearby counties in Iowa
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