County resource guide
Cook County, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Cook County. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
9 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Two Harbors · multi-county
Essentia Health — Duluth Developmental Pediatrics
Essentia Health's Duluth medical campus is the closest comprehensive developmental pediatrics center for Lake County families. Autism evaluations, multi-disciplinary assessments, and autism specialty care are available in Duluth with Lake County referral coordination.
Primary referral center for Lake County — Duluth campus is approximately 25 miles south.
Grand Marais · multi-county
Mayo Clinic — Telehealth Developmental Pediatrics
Mayo Clinic provides telehealth-based autism evaluations and developmental pediatrics consultations for Cook County's remote North Shore community. Virtual access to Rochester's multi-disciplinary autism team bridges the gap for families in Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail area.
Telehealth. Contact Mayo's scheduling line and request a virtual developmental pediatrics appointment.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Grand Marais
ISD 166 Cook County Schools — Special Education
ISD 166 Cook County Schools provides Early Childhood Special Education and K–12 autism support services for Cook County. As the primary educational service provider for the region, ISD 166 coordinates evaluations, IEPs, and school-based therapy in Grand Marais.
FREE under IDEA. The school district is the primary point of contact for all autism-related services in Cook County.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Two Harbors · multi-county
Minnesota Autism Center — In-Home North Shore
Minnesota Autism Center provides in-home and community-based ABA therapy for Lake County children, dispatching BCBAs from the Duluth region. In-home service delivery addresses the geographic barriers faced by North Shore families.
In-home model — contact for Duluth-area BCBA availability for Lake County.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Grand Marais · multi-county
Essentia Health — Telehealth Behavioral Health
Essentia Health offers telehealth mental health and behavioral health services for Cook County families, addressing co-occurring conditions like anxiety and ADHD alongside autism. Remote therapy and psychiatric consultation for North Shore residents.
Telehealth. Essential for Cook County's geographic isolation.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Two Harbors · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota — Lake County Support
Autism Society of Minnesota provides helpline support and virtual peer groups for Lake County families. Resource specialists assist with waiver applications, school advocacy, and connecting to Duluth-area services.
FREE helpline. Virtual support groups available for North Shore families.
Grand Marais · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota — North Shore Support
Autism Society of Minnesota offers virtual peer support, resource navigation, and helpline services for isolated Cook County families on the North Shore. Staff can connect families with remote providers, telehealth evaluators, and waiver specialists.
FREE. Virtual support available — essential resource for extremely rural North Shore families.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Two Harbors · multi-county
PACER Center — IEP Advocacy for Lake County
PACER Center offers free IEP and special education advocacy for Lake County families via virtual consultations. Helps families understand IDEA rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and address school districts when services are denied or delayed.
FREE. Virtual consultations available statewide.
Grand Marais · multi-county
PACER Center — Rural Family Advocacy
PACER Center supports Cook County families with free IEP advocacy, legal rights training, and special education dispute resolution. Virtual consultations help North Shore families navigate IDEA rights when school resources are limited.
FREE. Minnesota's PTI — particularly valuable for families in counties with limited local providers.
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See all Minnesota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.
Minnesota state guide →