Autism Resources in Howard County, Missouri
14 providers in Fayette, Columbia and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Howard County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Howard County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Thompson Center for Autism — University of Missouri (Howard County)
Columbia, MO · serves several counties
The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri in Columbia is the closest comprehensive autism evaluation center for Howard County families in Fayette. An internationally recognized center with multidisciplinary teams providing diagnostic, behavioral, and family support services.
National center of excellence. Fayette is ~30 miles from Columbia. Expect waitlists.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Missouri First Steps — Howard County Early Intervention
Fayette, MO
Missouri First Steps provides Part C early intervention services to eligible children birth to age 3 in Howard County through home-based and community-based delivery. Fayette families are connected to speech, OT, and developmental therapy with coordination toward the Columbia hub.
FREE for eligible children. Columbia proximity makes follow-up specialty care accessible.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Hopebridge — Columbia (Howard County Referral)
Columbia, MO · serves several counties
Hopebridge's Columbia location provides center-based ABA therapy accessible to Howard County families in Fayette. The Columbia campus offers BCBA-supervised services with multidisciplinary integration of speech and OT. Missouri Medicaid and commercial insurance accepted.
Columbia hub for Howard County. Missouri requires insurance to cover ABA.
Parent & family support
1 providerParent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Central Methodist University — Community Education & Family Resources
Fayette, MO
Central Methodist University in Fayette provides community programming and continuing education relevant to families of children with developmental differences. Howard County families can connect through CMU's outreach programs for local resource referrals and community support networks.
University community resource. Ask about disability support and family programming.
Advocacy & legal
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
MPACT — Missouri Parents Act (Howard County)
Fayette, MO · serves several counties
Missouri's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy and support for Howard County families in Fayette. MPACT's staff understand Missouri special education regulations and can support families in navigating the Howard County school district's special education processes.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Columbia is ~30 miles away for in-person meetings.
Also serving Howard County
These 21 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Howard 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
2 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders — University of Missouri
Columbia, MO · serves several counties
One of the most comprehensive autism centers in the Midwest, housed at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Offers multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluations, behavioral health, speech-language therapy, OT, and telehealth services. Nationally recognized research center with a lifespan approach from toddlers through adults. A flagship resource for mid-Missouri families.
Flagship MU program. Research participation opportunities available. Telehealth options for rural families across mid-Missouri.
University of Missouri Health Care — Developmental Referrals (Chariton)
Keytesville, MO · serves several counties
MU Health Care in Columbia is the primary referral hub for Chariton County families. Keytesville is approximately 65 miles northwest of Columbia. The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment at MU provides comprehensive evaluation services accessible for families who can make the drive.
Columbia's Thompson Center (~65 miles south) is the nearest comprehensive autism evaluation center.
Early Intervention (0–3)
2 providersFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Missouri First Steps — Chariton County
Keytesville, MO · serves several counties
Missouri's Part C Early Intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays in Chariton County. Home-based services reach Keytesville, Salisbury, and rural communities throughout north-central Missouri.
FREE under IDEA Part C.
Missouri First Steps — Cooper County
Boonville, MO · serves several counties
Missouri First Steps delivers free birth-to-3 developmental services and autism-related EI supports for Cooper County families in Boonville and surrounding communities. Coordinated through local school district contacts in this mid-Missouri river town.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Health Works — North-Central Missouri Telehealth (Chariton)
Keytesville, MO · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Chariton County families in rural north-central Missouri. Virtual BCBA-supervised parent training and behavior support reduce the burden of commuting to Columbia or Kansas City for services. Accepts Medicaid.
Mental health
1 providerTherapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Pathways Behavioral Health Services — Cooper County
Boonville, MO · serves several counties
Pathways Behavioral Health Services (formerly Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center) provides developmental disability services and autism supports for Cooper County families in Boonville. This historic Missouri River county is served by regional CMH programs connecting to Columbia and Kansas City resources.
Respite care
2 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, MO
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, MO
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.
Advocacy & legal
3 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
MPACT — Missouri Parents Act (Chariton County)
Keytesville, MO · serves several counties
Missouri's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Chariton County families navigating special education rights in small north-central Missouri school districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
MPACT — Missouri Parents Act (Cooper County)
Boonville, MO · serves several counties
MPACT provides free IEP advocacy by phone and virtually for Cooper County families in Boonville. Remote services are essential for families in this rural Missouri River county navigating Missouri special education rules.
MPACT — Missouri Parents Act (Mid-Missouri)
Columbia, MO · serves several counties
Missouri's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, serving Boone County and mid-Missouri families. Free IEP advocacy training, one-on-one support, and special education rights information. Bilingual services available.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP meeting or dispute.
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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, MO
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 Howard County
Howard County — home to Fayette and Glasgow — is a small rural county in central Missouri. Columbia's University of Missouri Health Care is the nearest major academic medical center for developmental evaluations. Missouri's First Steps serves children under 3, and MPACT provides free IEP advocacy statewide.
Helpful guides
Guides for Howard 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 Missouri resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Missouri.
Missouri state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Howard County, Missouri?
We list 14 providers serving Howard County, covering ABA therapy, parent & family support, early intervention (0–3), advocacy & legal and mental health, plus 1 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.
Which autism providers in Howard County accept Medicaid?
2 of the providers we list for Howard County state that they accept Medicaid, including Behavioral Health Works — North-Central Missouri Telehealth (Chariton) and Hopebridge — Columbia (Howard County Referral). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Howard County?
ABA providers serving Howard 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 Howard County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Howard 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 Howard County?
2 providers serving Howard 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 Missouri?
Missouri families can apply to the Comprehensive, MOCDD, Community Support and Partnership for Hope Waivers, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Varies by waiver and regional office, 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 Howard County?
If none of the Howard County providers is the right fit, these Missouri counties currently have the most listed providers: Polk County (18), Caldwell County (17), Grundy County (17), Platte County (16). 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 Missouri
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Howard County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Howard 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 Howard County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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