County resource guide
Autism Resources in Jefferson, Montana
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Jefferson. Montana statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
11 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Helena · multi-county
Big Sky Pediatrics (Helena)
Helena-based pediatric practice that can provide developmental screenings and referrals to evaluation specialists. As Montana's capital city, Helena has modest specialty access relative to Billings and Missoula, but families may still face waits of several months.
Ask specifically about developmental evaluation referrals and whether they coordinate with Shodair.
Helena · multi-county
Shodair Children's Hospital — Autism & Developmental Services
Helena's Shodair Children's Hospital is one of Montana's most important resources for autism evaluation and genetic testing. Offers comprehensive developmental evaluations, neuropsychological testing, and Montana's only inpatient psychiatric program for children and teens.
Priority resource for Helena families — genetic testing and comprehensive autism evaluations. Telehealth available.
Helena · multi-county
Shodair Children's Hospital — Autism Evaluation
Shodair Children's Hospital in Helena provides comprehensive autism evaluations for Jefferson County families. Boulder is approximately 30 miles from Helena, making Shodair the primary evaluation center.
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.
Boulder
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Jefferson County
Montana's early intervention program provides free in-home services for Jefferson County children birth to 3 with developmental delays or autism spectrum concerns in Boulder and surrounding areas.
Helena · multi-county
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Lewis and Clark County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention for children under 3 in Lewis and Clark County. Helena's location as the state capital means somewhat better coordination with state DPHHS early intervention programs than many rural Montana counties.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Helena DPHHS office coordinates EI services.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Warm Springs · multi-county
Montana State Hospital — Developmental Services
Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs serves Jefferson County families with behavioral health assessments and developmental support services for individuals with autism and co-occurring conditions.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Boulder · multi-county
Autism Society Montana
Autism Society Montana connects Jefferson County families to peer support. Helena events (~30 min from Boulder) offer the most accessible in-person programming, with Butte events also nearby.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Helena · multi-county
Parents Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) — Helena/Capital Region
PLUK provides free IEP advocacy and family support across Montana, including Lewis and Clark County. As Montana's federally funded PTI, they are an essential first call for Helena families navigating school services.
FREE. Federally funded PTI serving all Montana families.
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.
Boulder · multi-county
PLUK — Parents Let's Unite for Kids
PLUK provides free IEP advocacy and special education rights training for Jefferson County families in Boulder and the Helena-area communities.
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