County resource guide

Autism Resources in Morrison County, Minnesota

Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Morrison County. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.

Morrison County — home to Little Falls and Pierz — is in central Minnesota. CHI St. Gabriel's Health in Little Falls provides healthcare services. Morrison County schools provide special education programs across the county. Provider availability is limited; families travel to St. Cloud or the Twin Cities for specialized autism evaluation and ABA therapy. PACER Center provides free IEP advocacy statewide.

Provider directory

Local Providers33 providers in Morrison County

About our listings

Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.

Filter by age

0 providers in Morrison County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.

Diagnostic clinics

Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.

Milaca · multi-county

CentraCare — Developmental Pediatrics Referral

CentraCare Health in St. Cloud accepts referrals from Mille Lacs County for developmental pediatrics and autism evaluations. Serves the central Minnesota region including Milaca and the Mille Lacs Lake area with both in-person and telehealth consultation.

Ages 0–18Telehealth

Little Falls

CentraCare — Little Falls Clinic Developmental Services

CentraCare Health operates a clinic in Little Falls serving Morrison County with primary and developmental pediatric care. As the dominant health system across central Minnesota, CentraCare routes complex autism evaluations to its specialists in St. Cloud (about 35 miles south), making evaluation access far better than for most rural counties.

Ages 0–18(320) 632-2421

CentraCare St. Cloud is the primary autism evaluation center for Morrison County families — about 35 miles south of Little Falls.

Long Prairie · multi-county

CentraCare — Long Prairie Clinic

CentraCare Health operates a clinic in Long Prairie providing primary care and referrals for developmental evaluations. Autism assessment is coordinated through CentraCare's St. Cloud specialists with in-person and telehealth options for Todd County families.

Ages 0–18Telehealth(320) 732-2131

Wadena · multi-county

CentraCare — Wadena Clinic Developmental Referral

CentraCare Health's Wadena clinic provides primary care and coordinates referrals to developmental pediatricians and autism evaluation teams in St. Cloud. Telehealth developmental consultations are available for Wadena County families.

Ages 0–18Telehealth(218) 631-3510

Brainerd · multi-county

Essentia Health — Developmental Pediatrics Brainerd

Essentia Health's Brainerd clinic provides developmental pediatrics and autism evaluations for Crow Wing County and the surrounding lakes region. Connected to Essentia's northern Minnesota network with telehealth links to Duluth specialists.

Ages 0–18Telehealth

Early Intervention (0–3)

Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.

Little Falls

Morrison County Early Childhood Special Education

Morrison County and its school districts 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 Little Falls and rural Morrison County.

Ages 0–5Accepting new patientsIn-home(320) 632-2982

FREE under IDEA Part C/B. Contact Morrison County or Little Falls Community Schools to begin.

ABA therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.

Little Falls · multi-county

Bluestone Physician Services — Morrison County

Bluestone Physician Services provides ABA and behavioral health services reaching Morrison County. In-home and telehealth-supported ABA for families in Little Falls and rural Morrison County. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance per Minnesota's ABA mandate.

Ages 2–21TelehealthIn-home(855) 258-3783

Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Telehealth is especially important in rural Morrison County.

Brainerd · multi-county

CentraCare — Behavioral Health Brainerd

CentraCare Behavioral Health provides applied behavior analysis and autism support services in Brainerd, serving Crow Wing and neighboring central Minnesota counties. BCBA-supervised programming with in-clinic and community-based options.

Ages 2–18

Brainerd · multi-county

Minnesota Autism Center — Brainerd

Minnesota Autism Center operates a clinic in Brainerd serving Crow Wing County with comprehensive ABA therapy. BCBA-led programming for children and teens with Medicaid and private insurance accepted.

Ages 2–21Medicaid

Milaca · multi-county

Minnesota Autism Center — Central MN ABA

Minnesota Autism Center provides in-home and community ABA services for Mille Lacs County children. BCBA-supervised programming coordinated from the St. Cloud and Twin Cities offices, with in-home delivery for rural families.

Ages 2–21In-home

Long Prairie · multi-county

Minnesota Autism Center — In-Home Todd County

Minnesota Autism Center provides in-home ABA therapy for Todd County children, with BCBAs dispatched from the St. Cloud area. Community-based programming supports rural families in Long Prairie and surrounding towns.

Ages 2–21In-home

Foley · multi-county

REACH for Resources — Benton County ABA

ABA therapy services for Benton County families in Foley and Sauk Rapids. In-home and community-based BCBA-supervised programming. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance under Minnesota's ABA insurance mandate.

Ages 2–21In-home(952) 474-5570

Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.

Mental health

Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.

Long Prairie · multi-county

Lakeland Mental Health Center — Todd County

Lakeland Mental Health Center provides outpatient mental health services for Todd County residents including children and teens with autism and co-occurring conditions. Therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and crisis services available in Long Prairie.

Ages All ages(218) 736-6938

Respite care

Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.

~3,000 providers nationwide

ARCH National Respite Locator

A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.

Most states run one

Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program

Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.

Parent & family support

Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.

Little Falls

Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Central MN (Morrison County)

AuSM connects Morrison County families in Little Falls to statewide autism support networks, social programming, and the STRIDE adult employment program. CentraCare's regional footprint helps connect families to clinical resources.

Ages All ages(651) 647-1083

Contact AuSM for central Minnesota support group schedules near Little Falls.

Advocacy & legal

Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.

Aitkin · multi-county

PACER Center — Aitkin County & North-Central MN

PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, provides free IEP advocacy, training, and remote consultation for Aitkin County families navigating local school districts and rural north-central Minnesota special education.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(952) 838-9000

FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties statewide.

Foley · multi-county

PACER Center — Benton County Families

PACER Center provides free IEP advocacy, parent training, and one-on-one support to Benton County families navigating the Benton/Stearns county school districts and the St. Cloud metro area special education system.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(952) 838-9000

FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties.

Milaca · multi-county

PACER Center — Mille Lacs Advocacy

PACER Center provides Mille Lacs County families with free IEP advocacy, parent training, and special education rights support via virtual and in-person consultation.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(952) 838-9000

FREE. Minnesota's PTI.

Little Falls · multi-county

PACER Center — Morrison County & Central MN

PACER Center serves all Minnesota families including those in Morrison County with free IEP advocacy, training, and remote consultation. Little Falls-area families navigating Morrison County schools benefit from PACER's statewide expertise and CentraCare system connections.

Ages All agesAccepting new patients(952) 838-9000

FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties statewide.

Minneapolis · multi-county

PACER Center — Statewide Advocacy

PACER Center is Minnesota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, offering free IEP advocacy, workshops, and one-on-one support. Crow Wing County families can access virtual sessions and on-site assistance for school disputes and rights navigation.

Ages All agesAccepting new patientsTelehealth(952) 838-9000

FREE. Minnesota's PTI — serves all 87 counties virtually.

Long Prairie · multi-county

PACER Center — Todd County Advocacy

PACER Center supports Todd County families with free IEP advocacy and parent training. Virtual consultations help families in Long Prairie and rural Todd County understand their children's special education rights and prepare for school meetings.

Ages All agesAccepting new patientsTelehealth(952) 838-9000

FREE. Minnesota's PTI.

Wadena · multi-county

PACER Center — Wadena Advocacy

PACER Center provides free IEP and special education advocacy for Wadena County families via virtual consultation. Supports parents in understanding IDEA rights and navigating the school district's processes in rural central Minnesota.

Ages All agesAccepting new patientsTelehealth(952) 838-9000

FREE. Minnesota's PTI.

Activities, clubs & recreation

Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.

200+ locations nationwide

ACEing Autism

Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ages 5–18

Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.

~4,000 camps nationwide

American Camp Association — camp finder

A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.

Nationwide — find your local chapter

Best Buddies

One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ages Middle school through adult1-800-892-8339

A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.

Local affiliates across most of the country

Easterseals — camps and recreation

Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Programs vary a great deal between affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.

Week-long camps hosted nationwide

iCan Shine (iCan Bike)

Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.

Local chapters in a number of US cities

KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)

Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ages Children and young adults

Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.

900+ divisions nationwide

Little League Challenger Division

Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ages 4–18, or 15+ with no upper limit in Senior League

Use the league finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one.

200+ communities

Miracle League

Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.

Every state — county-level programs

Special Olympics

Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ages 8+

Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.

Through local clubs and state associations

TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)

The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.

A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.

Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.

For providers

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Helpful guides

Guides for Morrison County families

Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.

See all Minnesota resources

Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.

Minnesota state guide →

Common questions

Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.

How many autism providers serve Morrison County, Minnesota?

We list 21 providers serving Morrison County, covering parent & family support, ABA therapy, diagnostic clinics, mental health and early intervention (0–3), plus 1 more. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.

Which autism providers in Morrison County accept Medicaid?

1 of the providers we list for Morrison County state that they accept Medicaid, including Minnesota Autism Center — Brainerd. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.

Where can I find ABA therapy in Morrison County?

ABA providers serving Morrison County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.

Are there telehealth autism services for Morrison County families?

Yes — 8 providers serving Morrison County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.

Can autism therapy happen at home in Morrison County?

5 providers serving Morrison County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.

Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Minnesota?

Minnesota families can apply to the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver and Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI), a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is No statewide queue, but county allocations create local delays, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.

What if I can't find an autism provider in Morrison County?

If none of the Morrison County providers is the right fit, these Minnesota counties currently have the most listed providers: Dakota County (23), Cass County (22), Hennepin County (21), Polk County (21). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.

Nearby counties in Minnesota

You know things we don’t

Still missing from Morrison County

These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Morrison Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.

We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.

Get told when this page changes

New provider in Morrison County? We'll email you.

One email when we verify a new provider in Morrison County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.

We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.

See something that needs fixing?

Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.

Report a correction →

Help the community

Know a great provider in Morrison County?

If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.

Tell us about a provider →

For providers

Are you a provider serving Morrison County?

Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.

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