County resource guide
Polk County, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Polk County. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
12 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Crookston · multi-county
Altru Health System — Developmental Pediatrics (Grand Forks)
Altru Health System in Grand Forks, ND is the nearest comprehensive developmental pediatrics center for Polk County, Minnesota. Autism evaluations, multi-disciplinary assessments, and follow-up coordination available for Crookston-area families crossing the border for specialized care.
Cross-border care — Altru in Grand Forks, ND is approximately 25 miles from Crookston.
Ada · multi-county
Altru Health System — Developmental Referral (Grand Forks)
Altru Health System in Grand Forks, ND provides the nearest comprehensive autism evaluations for Norman County families. Telehealth intake and in-person evaluations serve the Ada and Halstad areas of northwest Minnesota.
Cross-border care in Grand Forks, ND — nearest comprehensive developmental center.
Bagley · multi-county
Essentia Health — Bemidji Developmental Services
Essentia Health's Bemidji regional center is the primary hub for developmental pediatrics and autism evaluation referrals from Clearwater County. Telehealth intake reduces the travel burden for families in Bagley and rural Clearwater County.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Crookston
Crookston Public Schools — Early Childhood Special Education
Crookston Public Schools and the Northwest Service Cooperative provide free Early Childhood Special Education for Polk County children birth through age 5. Evaluations, IFSPs, and therapy services under IDEA Part C and Part B.
FREE under IDEA. Contact Crookston Public Schools' special education department.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Bagley · multi-county
Lakeland Mental Health Center — Clearwater County
Lakeland Mental Health Center provides outpatient mental health services in Clearwater County including therapy and psychiatric evaluation for individuals with autism and co-occurring behavioral health conditions. Serves Bagley and the surrounding rural area.
Ada · multi-county
Lakeland Mental Health Center — Norman County
Lakeland Mental Health Center serves Norman County with outpatient mental health and behavioral health services for individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions. Therapy and psychiatric support available in Ada with telehealth options.
Crookston · multi-county
Lakeland Mental Health Center — Polk County
Lakeland Mental Health Center provides outpatient mental health and behavioral health services for Polk County including children and adults with autism. Therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and case management available in Crookston.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Ada · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota — Norman County Support
Autism Society of Minnesota provides helpline services, peer support, and resource referrals for Norman County families in one of Minnesota's most rural and isolated regions. Virtual connections and statewide resources help bridge the service gap.
FREE helpline. Essential resource for extremely rural NW Minnesota families.
Bagley · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota — Northwest MN Support
Autism Society of Minnesota provides virtual peer support, helpline services, and resource referrals for Clearwater County families. Staff assist with waiver programs, school advocacy, and connecting to regional providers.
FREE helpline. Virtual support essential for northwest MN's geographic isolation.
Crookston · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota — Northwest Outreach
Autism Society of Minnesota offers helpline services, virtual peer support, and resource navigation for Polk County families. Assists with finding evaluators, waiver programs, and connecting to the broader Minnesota autism community.
FREE helpline. Virtual support available for rural northwest Minnesota.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Ada · multi-county
Northwest Service Cooperative — Norman County Special Ed
The Northwest Service Cooperative provides special education support and consultation for Norman County districts, assisting with autism evaluations, IEP development, and school programming across northwest Minnesota.
Thief River Falls · multi-county
Northwest Service Cooperative — Special Education
The Northwest Service Cooperative (NWSC) supports Polk County school districts with special education consultation, evaluation, and programming for students with autism. Provides regional support across northwest Minnesota counties.
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See all Minnesota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.
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