County resource guide
Autism Resources in Mackinac, Michigan
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Mackinac. Michigan statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
18 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Newberry · multi-county
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry is the primary healthcare facility for Luce County in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula. Autism evaluations require travel to UP Health System in Marquette (~90 miles west). Luce County is home to the Tahquamenon Falls area and Newberry's Fudpucker community.
UP Health System Marquette (~90 miles west) is the primary evaluation hub. Telehealth strongly recommended as first step.
St. Ignace · multi-county
Mackinac Straits Health System — Developmental Referrals
Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace provides local healthcare at the gateway to the Upper Peninsula. Autism evaluations are referred to UP Health System in Marquette or McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey (Lower Peninsula via the Mackinac Bridge). Mackinac Island tourism economy creates unique seasonal community dynamics.
Bridge proximity to Petoskey (McLaren Northern Michigan) provides an alternative to the long drive to Marquette.
Manistique · multi-county
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique is the primary healthcare anchor for this central Upper Peninsula county on Lake Michigan. Autism evaluations require travel to UP Health System in Marquette (~75 miles west). Telehealth from UP Health System or University of Michigan is the most practical first step.
UP Health System Marquette (~75 miles west) is the primary evaluation hub. Telehealth strongly recommended as first step.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
St. Ignace
Early On Mackinac County
Michigan's Early On program for Mackinac County provides free birth-to-3 developmental services through LMAS RESA. Itinerant providers serve this Straits-area county from Marquette or Petoskey.
FREE under IDEA Part C.
Sault Ste. Marie · multi-county
Early On Michigan — Chippewa County
Early On Michigan delivers free developmental services for children birth to age 3 in Chippewa County. Families in Sault Ste. Marie and the eastern Upper Peninsula access services coordinated through the Eastern UP ISD.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
St. Ignace · multi-county
LMAS Community Mental Health — Mackinac County
The LMAS CMH authority provides Medicaid-funded developmental disability services, ABA therapy coordination, and HCBS waiver programs for Mackinac County residents with autism. Services span both the St. Ignace area and seasonal Mackinac Island community.
Medicaid/waiver funded. LMAS serves four counties — call for Mackinac County-specific intake.
Manistique · multi-county
LMAS Community Mental Health — Schoolcraft County
The LMAS CMH authority serves Schoolcraft County with Medicaid-funded developmental disability services, ABA therapy coordination, and HCBS waiver programs. Part of the four-county eastern UP regional mental health authority.
Medicaid/waiver funded. LMAS serves four counties — call for Schoolcraft County-specific intake.
Newberry · multi-county
Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft CMH
The LMAS (Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft) Community Mental Health Authority serves four eastern UP counties with Medicaid-funded developmental disability services, ABA therapy coordination, and HCBS waiver programs for county residents with autism.
Medicaid/waiver funded. LMAS serves four counties — call for Luce County-specific intake.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Sault Ste. Marie · multi-county
Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft CMH — Chippewa County
The regional Community Mental Health authority serves Chippewa County, including Sault Ste. Marie, with developmental disability evaluations and autism support services. The largest city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula east of Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie is also a border city with Canada.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Manistique · multi-county
Autism Alliance of Michigan — Central UP (Schoolcraft County)
Autism Alliance of Michigan provides helpline navigation and virtual peer support for Schoolcraft County families. AIM connects families in this remote central UP county with statewide autism resources and Medicaid waiver assistance.
Newberry · multi-county
Autism Alliance of Michigan — Eastern UP (Luce County)
Autism Alliance of Michigan's helpline provides resource navigation and virtual peer support for Luce County families in one of Michigan's most remote Upper Peninsula counties. AIM connects families with statewide autism resources and Medicaid waiver assistance.
Sault Ste. Marie · multi-county
Autism Alliance of Michigan — Eastern Upper Peninsula
Autism Alliance of Michigan connects Chippewa County families in Sault Ste. Marie with statewide helpline navigation and peer support. An essential remote resource for UP families in this remote Lake Superior border region with very few local autism specialists.
St. Ignace · multi-county
Autism Alliance of Michigan — Mackinac County
Autism Alliance of Michigan provides helpline navigation and peer support for Mackinac County families. AIM's statewide helpline connects Straits-area families with provider referrals, Medicaid waiver assistance, and virtual peer support.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Sault Ste. Marie · multi-county
Eastern UP ISD — Special Education (Chippewa County)
The Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District coordinates autism evaluations, IEP programming, and special education services for Chippewa County students in Sault Ste. Marie. Regional autism programs serve the easternmost UP counties.
Newberry · multi-county
Michigan Alliance for Families — Eastern UP (Luce County)
Michigan Alliance for Families provides free IEP advocacy for Luce County families. Phone and virtual consultations serve families in Newberry Public Schools and rural eastern UP districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Manistique · multi-county
Michigan Alliance for Families — Eastern UP (Schoolcraft County)
Michigan Alliance for Families provides free IEP advocacy for Schoolcraft County families. Phone and virtual consultations serve families in Manistique Area Schools and the broader central UP region.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Sault Ste. Marie · multi-county
Michigan Alliance for Families — Eastern Upper Peninsula
Michigan's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy for Chippewa County families in Sault Ste. Marie. Phone and virtual services are critical for families in this remote Upper Peninsula border city far from mainland Michigan resources.
St. Ignace · multi-county
Michigan Alliance for Families — Straits Area (Mackinac County)
Michigan Alliance for Families provides free IEP advocacy for Mackinac County families. Phone and virtual consultations serve families in Mackinac Island Public Schools and Mackinaw City and St. Ignace area schools.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
For providers
Be the first featured provider in Mackinac County
Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in Mackinac County see you first.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it's free →
See all Michigan resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Michigan.
Michigan state guide →