County resource guide
Autism Resources in Washington County, Minnesota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Washington County. Minnesota statewide resources also apply.
Washington County — home to Woodbury, Cottage Grove, and Stillwater — is a growing suburban county east of St. Paul. Families benefit from access to the Twin Cities provider network and Children's Minnesota for evaluations. Minnesota's Early Intervention program is available through county Early Childhood Special Education. PACER Center provides free IEP advocacy, and CDCS waivers are available for eligible residents. Minnesota requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Provider directory
Local Providers28 providers in Washington 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.
0 providers in Washington 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.
Center City · multi-county
Children's Minnesota — Autism Diagnostic Referral
Children's Minnesota accepts referrals from Chisago County for comprehensive autism evaluations at its Twin Cities campuses. As one of Minnesota's leading pediatric diagnostic centers, it serves the east metro corridor including Chisago County families.
Referral required. High demand — ask about telehealth intake options.
Woodbury
Gillette Children's — East Metro Autism Evaluation Clinic
Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare provides autism spectrum disorder evaluations for Washington County children at its east metro clinic in Woodbury. Interdisciplinary assessments with developmental pediatrics and neuropsychology, serving Stillwater, Woodbury, and surrounding communities.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Center City · multi-county
Fraser — ABA Therapy East Metro
Fraser provides ABA therapy and autism services to families in Chisago County through its east metro programming. In-home and clinic-based options with BCBA supervision and coordination from the Twin Cities regional office.
Woodbury
Fraser — Woodbury ABA Therapy Center
Fraser's Woodbury location brings comprehensive ABA therapy and autism support services to Washington County families. BCBA-supervised therapy, social skills programming, and parent training serve children and teens in Woodbury, Stillwater, and the greater east metro.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Woodbury
Speech & Language Associates — Woodbury
Speech & Language Associates provides specialized speech-language therapy for autistic children and adolescents in Woodbury and Washington County. Services include AAC evaluation and training, social pragmatic language groups, and school consultation for east metro families.
Occupational therapy & sensory
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Stillwater
Pediatric Therapeutic Services — Stillwater OT & Sensory
Pediatric Therapeutic Services' Stillwater clinic offers occupational therapy and sensory processing treatment for autistic children in Washington County. Sensory gym, fine motor development, self-regulation strategies, and sensory diet planning for families in the Stillwater and Lake Elmo area.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Respite through the DD and CADI waivers — via your county
Minnesota funds respite inside its disability waivers, including CADI and the DD waiver, covering short-term care so a family caregiver can have a break or handle an absence. Access is through your county or tribal agency and begins with a MnCHOICES assessment rather than a separate respite application.
Respite has to be written into your support plan with an hours figure. Ask for it explicitly at the MnCHOICES assessment rather than afterwards.
~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.
Center City · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota — East Metro Support
Autism Society of Minnesota connects Chisago County families to support groups, resource specialists, and community events in the east metro area. Helpline staff can assist with waiver navigation and finding local providers.
FREE.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Minneapolis · multi-county
PACER Center
Minnesota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center and one of the most respected disability family advocacy organizations in the country. Free IEP advocacy, training, workshops, and one-on-one support. PACER's resources are used nationally. Headquartered in Minneapolis.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. One of the nation's best parent advocacy centers — call before any IEP dispute.
Minneapolis · multi-county
PACER Center — Scott County Families
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, serves all Minnesota families including those in Scott County. Free IEP advocacy, training workshops, and parent-to-parent support. One of the nation's premier disability advocacy organizations.
FREE. Federally funded PTI — serves all MN counties statewide. Call before any IEP dispute.
Woodbury
PACER Center — Washington County Autism Advocacy
PACER Center, Minnesota's federally designated Parent Training and Information Center, serves Washington County families with free IEP advocacy, disability rights education, and parent workshops. PACER's resources help Stillwater and Woodbury families navigate school systems and access benefits.
Autism-friendly dentists
Dentists experienced with autistic patients — desensitisation visits, sensory accommodations, and staff who take the time it takes.
Minneapolis · multi-county
University of Minnesota — Special Healthcare Needs Clinic
Comprehensive dental care for patients with complex medical conditions, developmental disabilities and physical disabilities, at the University of Minnesota dental clinics. Dental school clinics trade time for expertise: appointments run longer because students do the work under supervision, and there can be a wait for a first visit. In exchange you get a team that treats disabled patients every day, usually at a lower cost, and they generally accept Medicaid.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
St. Paul · multi-county
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) - summer camps
Autism-specific summer camps for young people AND adults, staffed by people trained in autism rather than general camp staff. AuSM also runs an outdoor camp for autistic teenagers held almost entirely outdoors, which suits young people who find indoor group settings hardest.
Minneapolis · multi-county
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - Adaptive Sports and Recreation
Recreational and competitive sport for young people and adults across the Twin Cities, north-eastern Minnesota and north-western Wisconsin - one of the largest and longest-running adaptive sports operations in the upper Midwest.
Bloomington · multi-county
PACER Center - inclusive recreation and camp listings
Minnesota's parent training and information center maintains lists of inclusive recreation, adaptive sports and summer camps alongside its special education advocacy - a reliable starting point outside the metro.
Annandale · multi-county
True Friends
Camp, respite, retreats, team building, adaptive horse riding and travel for children AND adults with disabilities, across sites at Annandale, Eden Prairie, Lake George and Maple Lake. The breadth is the point - respite and travel alongside camp means a family can keep using the same trusted organization as circumstances change.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Washington County.
School & special education
- South Washington County Schools — Special Education
ISD 833 is the largest district in Washington County.
Services & benefits
- Washington County Social Services — Disability Services
Washington County manages HCBS waiver intake and DD services.
Adult services
- Washington County Social Services — Disability Services
Washington County manages HCBS waiver intake and DD services.
Respite & support
- Washington County Social Services — Disability Services
Washington County manages HCBS waiver intake and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Washington 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.
Communities served
Cities in Washington County
Serving families across Washington County including Stillwater, Woodbury, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, Lake Elmo, Hugo, Mahtomedi, Afton and Scandia and more.
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 Washington County, Minnesota?
We list 16 providers serving Washington County, covering parent & family support, activities, clubs & recreation, diagnostic clinics, ABA therapy and advocacy & legal, plus 4 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.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Washington County?
ABA providers serving Washington 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 Washington County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Washington County offers 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 Washington County?
1 provider serving Washington County delivers 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 Washington County?
If none of the Washington County providers is the right fit, these Minnesota counties currently have the most listed providers: Dakota County (23), Cass County (22), Hennepin County (21), Morrison 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 Washington County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Washington 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.
- 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?
- Who has managed an eye exam here?
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 Washington County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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