County resource guide
Stearns County, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Stearns County. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
8 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
St. Cloud
CentraCare — Pediatric Developmental Clinic
CentraCare Health's pediatric developmental clinic in St. Cloud offers autism evaluations and developmental assessments for central Minnesota families. The primary health system for Stearns County and the St. Cloud region. Providers include developmental pediatricians and licensed psychologists.
CentraCare is the dominant health system for central MN. Note: St. Cloud has a significant Somali-American community — ask about culturally and linguistically competent evaluators.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
St. Cloud
Stearns County Early Childhood Special Education
Stearns County and the St. Cloud-area school districts provide free Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services for children birth through age 5. Evaluations, IFSPs, and developmental therapy. Entry point for early intervention services in central Minnesota.
FREE under IDEA. St. Cloud Area School District coordinates ECSE services. Multilingual services available.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Buffalo · multi-county
REACH for Resources — Wright County ABA
ABA therapy services for Wright County families in Buffalo, Monticello, and surrounding communities. In-home and community-based BCBA-supervised programming. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance per Minnesota's ABA coverage mandate.
In-home ABA is especially practical for this exurban county. Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA.
St. Cloud
Relate Counseling Center — ABA & Behavioral Services
ABA and behavioral support services for children and youth in St. Cloud and Stearns County. BCBA-supervised with community-based and in-home options. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance under Minnesota's ABA mandate.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Stearns County has a diverse community — inquire about multilingual or culturally responsive services.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
St. Cloud
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — Central MN
AuSM supports families in Stearns County and central Minnesota with support groups, adult programming, and the STRIDE employment program. The St. Cloud-area chapter reflects the cultural diversity of the region.
Contact AuSM about culturally responsive programming in the St. Cloud area given the significant Somali-American community.
Buffalo · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — West/Central Metro
AuSM connects Wright County families to autism support groups, social programming, and statewide resources. Adults can access the STRIDE employment program.
Contact AuSM to find the nearest support group to Wright County.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Minneapolis
PACER Center — Stearns County & Central MN
PACER Center serves all Minnesota families statewide, including Stearns County and the St. Cloud area. Free IEP advocacy, training, and workshops in English and select other languages. Critical resource for MN's federally funded parent advocacy.
FREE. PACER has multilingual resources important for St. Cloud's Somali-American community. Federally funded PTI.
Minneapolis · multi-county
PACER Center — Wright County Families
PACER Center, Minnesota's nationally recognized federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy, parent training, and one-on-one support to Wright County families. First call for any IEP dispute or special education concern.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties.
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See all Minnesota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.
Minnesota state guide →