County resource guide
Autism Resources in Mississippi, Missouri
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Mississippi. Missouri statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
6 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
New Madrid · multi-county
Missouri Delta Medical Center — New Madrid County Developmental Referrals
Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston (Scott County) is the primary healthcare hub for New Madrid County in the Missouri Bootheel. Developmental referrals for autism evaluations connect families to Cape Girardeau specialists (~45 miles north) or Memphis, TN providers. The Bootheel has some of Missouri's highest poverty rates — access to care is a significant challenge.
Cape Girardeau (~45 min north) and Memphis, TN (~90 min south) are the nearest specialist hubs. Medicaid is critical for most Bootheel families.
Cape Girardeau · multi-county
Saint Francis Healthcare System — Bootheel Referral (Mississippi County)
Saint Francis Healthcare System in Cape Girardeau is the nearest comprehensive medical hub for Mississippi County families in Charleston seeking autism evaluations. Developmental pediatric referrals are coordinated through the Cape Girardeau network for this very rural SE Missouri Bootheel county.
Cape Girardeau hub ~50 miles from Charleston. Primary regional referral center.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Charleston
Missouri First Steps — Mississippi County Early Intervention
Missouri First Steps delivers Part C early intervention to eligible children birth to age 3 in Mississippi County through home-based services in Charleston. This very rural SE Missouri Bootheel county relies heavily on home visits for developmental supports.
FREE for eligible children. Home-based model essential for this very rural Bootheel county.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Charleston · multi-county
Behavioral Health Services — Telehealth ABA (Mississippi County)
Telehealth-delivered ABA therapy is the most practical option for Mississippi County families in Charleston given the county's isolation in the SE Missouri Bootheel. BCBA-supervised behavior programs via video connect families to evidence-based autism intervention. Missouri Medicaid accepted.
Telehealth critical for Bootheel isolation. Ask Missouri Medicaid about covered ABA providers.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Charleston · multi-county
Autism Society of Missouri — Missouri Bootheel (Mississippi County)
The Autism Society of Missouri connects Mississippi County families in Charleston to virtual peer support and statewide resources. Online programming is the primary community access point for families in this very rural, geographically isolated SE Missouri Bootheel county.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Charleston · multi-county
MPACT — Missouri Parents Act (Mississippi County)
Missouri's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy for Mississippi County families in Charleston. Remote and phone services are essential for families in this very rural SE Missouri Bootheel county with limited access to in-person advocacy support.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Critical remote resource for this isolated Bootheel county.
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See all Missouri resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Missouri.
Missouri state guide →