County resource guide
Autism Resources in Houston, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Houston. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
13 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Preston · multi-county
Gundersen Health System — Fillmore County Developmental Referral
Fillmore County families in Preston and Harmony access comprehensive autism evaluations through Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin (~50 miles east), or Mayo Clinic Health System in the Rochester network. Gundersen is a strong regional academic health system covering the driftless region.
Fillmore County spans the driftless region. Gundersen La Crosse and Mayo Rochester are the two primary evaluation hubs.
Caledonia · multi-county
Gundersen Health System — Houston County Developmental Referral
Houston County families in Caledonia and La Crescent have excellent access to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse (~15 miles from La Crescent). Gundersen provides comprehensive autism evaluations across the driftless region and is the primary academic health resource for southeast Minnesota's bluff country.
La Crescent is essentially a suburb of La Crosse — Gundersen is the nearest major evaluation center.
Winona · multi-county
Winona Health — Pediatric Developmental Services
Winona Health is the community hospital for Winona County on the Mississippi River bluffs. Provides developmental pediatric evaluations and autism referrals. Families with complex cases typically access Gundersen Health System in La Crosse (~30 miles south) or Mayo Clinic in Rochester (~45 miles northwest) for comprehensive evaluations.
Gundersen Health in La Crosse (~30 miles south) and Mayo Clinic in Rochester (~45 miles northwest) are the primary autism evaluation centers for Winona County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Caledonia
Houston County Early Childhood Special Education
Houston County and its school districts provide free Early Childhood Special Education services for children birth through age 5 under IDEA. Home-based evaluations and therapy across this rural bluff-country county with coordination to Gundersen Health for diagnostic support.
FREE under IDEA Part C/B. Contact Houston County or local school district to begin.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
La Crescent · multi-county
Fraser — ABA Services (Houston County)
Fraser provides in-home and community-based ABA therapy reaching Houston County in southeast Minnesota's bluff country. BCBA-supervised programs accepting Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance under Minnesota's ABA mandate.
Preston · multi-county
Fraser — Southeast MN ABA Services (Fillmore County)
Fraser provides in-home and community-based ABA therapy reaching Fillmore County in the southeast Minnesota driftless region. BCBA-supervised programs accepting Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance under Minnesota's ABA mandate.
In-home ABA is especially practical across Fillmore County's rural driftless landscape.
Winona · multi-county
Fraser — Southeast MN ABA Services (Winona County)
Fraser, one of Minnesota's largest autism service organizations, provides in-home and community-based ABA therapy reaching Winona County. BCBA-supervised programs accepting Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance under Minnesota's ABA mandate.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy. Telehealth supplements in-person services in rural southeastern MN.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Preston · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Southeast MN (Fillmore County)
AuSM connects Fillmore County families in Preston and Harmony to statewide autism support, social programming, and the STRIDE adult employment program. Rural driftless region families rely on AuSM's statewide peer networks.
La Crescent · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Southeast MN (Houston County)
AuSM connects Houston County families in Caledonia and La Crescent to statewide autism support resources. The La Crescent community's proximity to La Crosse, WI creates a cross-border support community.
Winona · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Southeast MN (Winona)
AuSM connects Winona County families on the Mississippi bluffs to statewide autism support resources, programming, and the STRIDE adult employment program. Winona's university community (Winona State University and Saint Mary's University) contributes an educated advocacy environment.
Contact AuSM for support group schedules in the Winona area.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Preston · multi-county
PACER Center — Fillmore County Families
PACER Center serves all Minnesota families statewide including Fillmore County. Free IEP advocacy, IDEA training, and parent support for families navigating Preston Public Schools and rural Fillmore County districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties.
Caledonia · multi-county
PACER Center — Houston County Families
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy and parent training to Houston County families navigating Caledonia and La Crescent school districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties.
Winona · multi-county
PACER Center — Winona County & Southeast MN
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, provides free IEP advocacy, parent training, and one-on-one support to Winona County families navigating Winona Area Public Schools and surrounding rural districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties statewide.
For providers
Be the first featured provider in Houston County
Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in Houston County see you first.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it's free →
See all Minnesota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.
Minnesota state guide →