County resource guide
Steele County, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Steele County. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
8 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Owatonna · multi-county
Allina Health — Owatonna Hospital Developmental Referrals
Allina Health's Owatonna Hospital is the primary hospital for Steele County, providing pediatric care and developmental referrals. Owatonna families access Mayo Clinic in Rochester (~40 miles east) for comprehensive autism evaluations, or the Allina/Children's Minnesota network toward the Twin Cities.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester (~40 miles east) is the primary autism evaluation referral for Steele County families.
Northfield · multi-county
District Medical Group — Rice County Pediatrics
Pediatric practices in Northfield and Faribault coordinate developmental screenings and autism referrals for Rice County families. Rice County is home to two college towns — Northfield (Carleton and St. Olaf colleges) and Faribault — creating an educated advocacy community for autism families.
For comprehensive autism evaluations, Northfield Hospital typically refers to Mayo Clinic in Rochester (~45 miles) or Children's Minnesota in the Twin Cities.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Owatonna
Steele County Early Childhood Special Education
Steele County and Owatonna Public Schools provide free Early Childhood Special Education services for children birth through age 5 under IDEA. Developmental evaluations, IFSPs, and in-home therapy for children in Owatonna and rural Steele County.
FREE under IDEA Part C/B. Contact Owatonna Public Schools or Steele County to begin.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Owatonna · multi-county
Fraser — South-Central MN ABA (Steele County)
Fraser provides ABA therapy reaching Steele County and the Owatonna area through its south-central Minnesota service network. BCBA-supervised in-home and community-based programming. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance.
Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Northfield · multi-county
Fraser — Southeast Metro ABA Services (Rice County)
Fraser, one of Minnesota's largest autism service organizations, extends services to Rice County families. BCBA-supervised ABA with in-home and center-based options. Accepts Minnesota Medical Assistance and commercial insurance under Minnesota's ABA mandate.
Fraser is one of MN's most comprehensive autism organizations — services from early childhood through adulthood.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Owatonna · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) — South-Central MN (Steele County)
AuSM connects Steele County families in Owatonna to statewide autism support networks, social programming, and the STRIDE adult employment program. Owatonna's manufacturing economy and strong community ties create an engaged family advocacy base.
Contact AuSM for support group schedules near Owatonna.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Northfield · multi-county
PACER Center — Rice County Families
PACER Center, Minnesota's nationally recognized federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy, parent training, and one-on-one support to Rice County families in Northfield and Faribault.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties statewide.
Owatonna · multi-county
PACER Center — Steele County Families
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded PTI, provides free IEP advocacy, parent training, and one-on-one support to Steele County families navigating Owatonna Public Schools and surrounding rural districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all 87 MN counties statewide.
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See all Minnesota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Minnesota.
Minnesota state guide →