County resource guide
Autism Resources in Douglas, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Douglas. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
7 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Alexandria · multi-county
CentraCare — Douglas County Developmental Services
CentraCare Health provides developmental pediatric evaluations and autism referrals through the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, the largest city in west-central Minnesota's lakes region. Part of the CentraCare network linking to autism specialists in St. Cloud.
CentraCare St. Cloud is the primary autism evaluation hub for west-central MN — about 90 miles from Alexandria.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Alexandria
Douglas County Early Childhood Special Education
Douglas County and Alexandria Public Schools provide free Early Childhood Special Education services for children birth through age 5 under IDEA. Developmental evaluations, IFSPs, and in-home therapy for families in Alexandria and surrounding lake country communities.
FREE under IDEA Part C/B. Contact Alexandria Public Schools or Douglas County for referrals for children under age 3.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Alexandria · multi-county
Bluestone Physician Services — Douglas County ABA
Bluestone Physician Services provides integrated behavioral health and ABA services reaching Douglas County. In-home and telehealth-supported ABA for families in Alexandria and the surrounding lake country. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Telehealth important in this lake country region.
Elbow Lake · multi-county
Bluestone Physician Services — Grant County
Bluestone Physician Services provides ABA and behavioral health services reaching Grant County. Telehealth-supported services for families in Elbow Lake and rural Grant County. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Telehealth is essential in this very rural county.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Alexandria · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Alexandria/Lakes Region
AuSM connects Douglas County families in Alexandria to statewide autism support resources, social programming, and the STRIDE adult employment program. Alexandria is a regional hub for the west-central Minnesota lake country.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Alexandria · multi-county
PACER Center — Douglas County & West-Central MN
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy, training, and remote consultation for Douglas County families navigating Alexandria schools and rural west-central Minnesota districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties.
Elbow Lake · multi-county
PACER Center — Grant County Families
PACER Center provides free IEP advocacy and remote consultation for Grant County families. Virtual consultations are critical for families in this very small, rural county far from metro resources.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties. Virtual consultations available.
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See all Minnesota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.
Minnesota state guide →