Howell County, Missouri

Alton · multi-county

Mercy Hospital Springfield — Autism & Developmental Referral (Oregon County)

Mercy Hospital Springfield is the major regional referral hub for Ozarks counties including Oregon County. Families in Alton can access developmental pediatrics and autism evaluation services through Mercy's Springfield campus, typically a 1.5–2 hour drive.

Expect travel to Springfield — Oregon County has no local diagnostic center.

Ava · multi-county

Mercy Hospital Springfield — Developmental Pediatrics (Douglas County)

Mercy's developmental pediatrics and autism evaluation services in Springfield serve as the primary referral destination for Douglas County families. Ava, the county seat, is approximately one hour from Springfield, making Mercy the most accessible comprehensive evaluation center.

Gainesville · multi-county

Mercy Hospital Springfield — Developmental Pediatrics (Ozark County)

Mercy's developmental pediatrics program in Springfield is the primary referral destination for Ozark County families seeking autism evaluations. Ozark County has no local diagnostic center — families in Gainesville typically travel north to Springfield for comprehensive assessment.

Expect travel to Springfield — Gainesville is approximately 1.5 hours south.

Mountain Grove · multi-county

Mercy Hospital Springfield — Developmental Pediatrics (Wright County)

Mercy's developmental pediatrics program in Springfield is the closest comprehensive autism evaluation center for Wright County families. Mountain Grove, the county seat, is about an hour from Springfield, making Mercy the standard referral destination for autism assessments.

West Plains · multi-county

Ozarks Healthcare — Developmental Pediatric Referrals (Howell County)

Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains is the primary medical hub for Howell County, serving as the entry point for developmental screenings and referrals for autism evaluations. Full multi-disciplinary evaluations are typically completed at Mercy Springfield or Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

Houston · multi-county

Phelps Health — Developmental Referrals (Texas County)

Phelps Health in Rolla is the closest major medical hub for Texas County families seeking developmental pediatric referrals and autism evaluations. Families in Houston, the county seat, typically travel to Rolla or Springfield for comprehensive assessments.

Rolla and Springfield are both approximately 1–1.5 hours from Houston, MO.

Alton · multi-county

Phelps Health — Telehealth Developmental Services (Oregon County)

Phelps Health in Rolla extends telehealth developmental consultations to Oregon County families. This Ozarks border county has very limited local clinical resources — telehealth is the primary access point before referral to Rolla or West Plains for in-person evaluation.

Telehealth recommended as first step for Oregon County families.

West Plains

Missouri First Steps — Howell County

Missouri's Part C Early Intervention program serving infants and toddlers with developmental delays in Howell County. Home-based services are standard in this south-central Ozarks county, ensuring families in West Plains and surrounding rural communities receive services without travel.

FREE under IDEA Part C.

Gainesville · multi-county

Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Ozark County)

Centria Autism's telehealth ABA therapy services reach children with autism in rural Ozark County. Telehealth supervision paired with in-home sessions allows families in Gainesville to access evidence-based ABA without traveling to Springfield. Accepts Medicaid.

West Plains · multi-county

Mercy Hospital Springfield — ABA & Behavioral Services (Howell County)

Mercy's behavioral health network in Springfield provides ABA therapy referrals and behavioral services for Howell County children. Families in West Plains typically travel to Springfield for center-based care; telehealth and in-home options supplement for those who cannot make the trip.

Ava · multi-county

Autism Society of Missouri — Ozarks Network (Douglas County)

The Autism Society of Missouri connects Douglas County families to support groups and resources across the Ozarks region. Families in Ava access the Springfield-area autism community through this statewide organization's regional programming.

Houston · multi-county

Autism Society of Missouri — Ozarks Network (Texas County)

The Autism Society of Missouri supports Texas County families through virtual support groups, resource referrals, and connections to the broader Missouri autism community. Houston-area families benefit from both online programming and periodic regional events.

Mountain Grove · multi-county

Autism Society of Missouri — Ozarks Network (Wright County)

The Autism Society of Missouri connects Wright County families to regional support groups and resources. Families in Mountain Grove access the Springfield-area autism community through this statewide organization's Ozarks-region programming.

Gainesville · multi-county

Autism Society of Missouri — Rural Ozarks Network (Ozark County)

The Autism Society of Missouri supports families in Ozark County through virtual groups, resource connections, and links to the broader Ozarks autism community. This statewide network is the primary peer support resource for families in this isolated county.

West Plains · multi-county

Autism Society of Missouri — South-Central Ozarks Network (Howell)

The Autism Society of Missouri connects Howell County families to regional support groups, resource navigation, and family events. West Plains area families benefit from both in-person Ozarks-area programming and virtual support options.

West Plains

MPACT — Missouri Parents Act (Howell County)

Missouri's federally funded PTI center provides free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Howell County families in West Plains and surrounding rural communities.

FREE. Federally funded PTI.