County resource guide
Deer Lodge County, Montana
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Deer Lodge County. Montana statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
8 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Anaconda · multi-county
Community Hospital of Anaconda — Pediatrics
Anaconda's Community Hospital provides basic pediatric care and referrals. Deer Lodge County families almost universally travel to Butte (28 miles) or Missoula (1.5 hours) for autism evaluations. This hospital is the first step in getting a referral and starting the process.
Ask for developmental referral to Missoula (Providence St. Patrick) or Butte (St. James). Both are more accessible than Billings.
Butte · multi-county
St. James Healthcare — Pediatrics
Butte's St. James Healthcare provides pediatric care and can refer families for developmental evaluations. Silver Bow County families typically travel to Missoula (1.5 hours) or Billings for full autism diagnostic evaluations, as specialized developmental pediatricians are not locally based.
Ask for developmental referral to Missoula or Billings specialists. Telehealth evaluations increasingly available for rural Montana.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Anaconda
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Deer Lodge County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention for children under 3 in Deer Lodge County. Anaconda's small population means very limited local EI provider availability; some providers from Butte or Missoula cover the area.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Deer Lodge County DPHHS. Limited local providers — some travel from Butte or Missoula.
Butte · multi-county
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Silver Bow County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention for children under 3 in Silver Bow County. Butte has some locally based EI service providers, though the county's smaller size means fewer options than Missoula or Billings.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Contact Silver Bow County DPHHS for referral.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Butte · multi-county
Butte Speech and Language Services
Speech-language pathology services in Butte for children and adults with communication differences including autism. Butte has a small but established therapy community that serves Silver Bow and neighboring counties.
Montana Medicaid accepted. Telehealth available. Confirm autism-specific experience when calling.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Anaconda
Telehealth Note for Deer Lodge County
Deer Lodge County has no local autism specialists. Telehealth is the primary option for mental health, ABA consultation, and behavior support. Montana Medicaid covers telehealth. Missoula (1.5 hours) and Butte (28 miles) are the nearest cities with limited specialty access.
Montana Medicaid covers telehealth statewide. Contact DPHHS at (406) 444-5622 for Medicaid ABA authorization.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Butte · multi-county
Parents Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) — Southwest MT
PLUK provides free IEP advocacy and family support to Silver Bow County families. Montana's federally funded PTI is the most reliable first call for Butte families navigating school services or looking for statewide resource connections.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. No local Butte office — contact main Billings number.
Anaconda · multi-county
Parents Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) — Southwest MT
PLUK is Montana's federally funded PTI and the most reliable statewide advocacy resource for Deer Lodge County families. Free IEP support, family training, and resource navigation available by phone and virtually.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Phone and virtual support — no local Anaconda office.
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