Autism Resources in Polk County, Minnesota
16 providers in Crookston and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Polk County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Polk County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Altru Health System — Developmental Pediatrics (Grand Forks)
Crookston, MN · serves several counties
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.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Crookston Public Schools — Early Childhood Special Education
Crookston, MN
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.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Minnesota — Northwest Outreach
Crookston, MN · serves several counties
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.
Also serving Polk County
These 25 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Polk County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Diagnostic clinics
4 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Altru Health System — Developmental Referral (Grand Forks)
Ada, MN · serves several counties
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.
Essentia Health — Bemidji Developmental Services
Bagley, MN · serves several counties
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.
Sanford Health — Red Lake County Developmental Referral
Red Lake Falls, MN · serves several counties
Red Lake County families in Red Lake Falls access developmental and autism evaluation referrals through Sanford Health's Crookston or Thief River Falls facilities. Red Lake County is one of Minnesota's smallest and most rural counties in the northwest Red River Valley.
Very rural. Crookston (~25 miles) and Thief River Falls (~20 miles) are the nearest health system facilities.
Sanford Health — Thief River Falls Developmental Services
Thief River Falls, MN · serves several counties
Sanford Health Thief River Falls is the primary regional hospital for Pennington County and the far northwest corner of Minnesota. Provides developmental pediatric evaluations and autism referrals. Complex cases are coordinated with Sanford's Fargo-Moorhead campus or the Twin Cities.
Sanford Fargo-Moorhead and Altru Grand Forks are the primary specialist referral centers for Pennington County families.
ABA therapy
4 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Bluestone Physician Services — Mahnomen County
Mahnomen, MN · serves several counties
Bluestone Physician Services provides telehealth ABA and behavioral health services reaching Mahnomen County. Culturally responsive programming important in this county with a large White Earth Nation Ojibwe community. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Ask about culturally responsive services for White Earth families.
Bluestone Physician Services — Marshall County
Warren, MN · serves several counties
Bluestone Physician Services provides ABA and behavioral health services reaching Marshall County in the Red River Valley. Telehealth-supported programming for families in Warren and rural north-central Marshall County. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Telehealth essential in this remote northern Red River Valley county.
Bluestone Physician Services — Pennington County
Thief River Falls, MN · serves several counties
Bluestone Physician Services provides ABA and behavioral health services reaching Pennington County. Telehealth-supported in-home programming for families in Thief River Falls and rural northwest Minnesota. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Telehealth is essential in this remote northwest county.
Bluestone Physician Services — Red Lake County
Red Lake Falls, MN · serves several counties
Bluestone Physician Services provides integrated behavioral health and telehealth-supported ABA reaching Red Lake County. In-home and telehealth services for families in Red Lake Falls. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Telehealth is critical for this extremely rural northwest MN county.
Respite care
2 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, MN
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, MN
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
3 providersParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Autism Society of Minnesota — Norman County Support
Ada, MN · serves several counties
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.
Autism Society of Minnesota — Northwest MN Support
Bagley, MN · serves several counties
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.
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Northwest MN (Red Lake County)
Red Lake Falls, MN · serves several counties
AuSM provides statewide peer support and resource referrals for Red Lake County families. One of Minnesota's smallest and most remote counties — statewide virtual networks are the primary community connection for autism families here.
Advocacy & legal
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
PACER Center — Pennington County & Far Northwest MN
Thief River Falls, MN · serves several counties
PACER Center provides free IEP advocacy and virtual consultation for Pennington County families navigating Thief River Falls area schools. Virtual consultations are critical for families in this remote northwest Minnesota county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties. Virtual consultations important for this remote border area.
PACER Center — Red Lake County Families
Red Lake Falls, MN · serves several counties
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy and remote consultation for Red Lake County families. Virtual consultations are especially important for families in this remote northwest Minnesota county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Virtual consultations are essential for Red Lake County's remote location.
Activities, clubs & recreation
10 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, MN
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, MN
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, MN
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, MN
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program 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 locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, MN
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, MN
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
See all 10 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, MN
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the League Finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, MN
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, MN
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, MN
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Polk County
Polk County — home to Crookston and East Grand Forks — is in the Red River Valley of northwestern Minnesota. Altru Health System serves the broader region, and University of Minnesota Crookston contributes to regional professional training. East Grand Forks and Crookston school districts provide special education. Families benefit from access to Fargo-Moorhead providers across the border. PACER Center provides free IEP advocacy statewide.
Helpful guides
Guides for Polk County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
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 Polk County, Minnesota?
We list 16 providers serving Polk County, covering diagnostic clinics, parent & family support, ABA therapy, early intervention (0–3) and advocacy & legal. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Polk County?
ABA providers serving Polk 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 Polk County families?
Yes — 8 providers serving Polk 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 Polk County?
2 providers serving Polk 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 Polk County?
If none of the Polk County providers is the right fit, these Minnesota counties currently have the most listed providers: Dakota County (21), Hennepin County (20), Morrison County (20), Blue Earth County (19). 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 Polk County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Polk 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.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
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 Polk County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →