County resource guide
Autism Resources in Missoula County, Montana
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Missoula County. Montana statewide resources also apply.
Missoula County is home to Missoula and the University of Montana, whose Rural Institute on Inclusion and Community is nationally recognized for rural disability services. Providence St. Patrick Hospital provides evaluation capacity. Missoula County Public Schools provides special education. PLUK is Montana's federally funded PTI providing free statewide advocacy. Montana's Comprehensive DD waiver supports eligible residents.
Provider directory
Local Providers26 providers in Missoula County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Missoula County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Superior · multi-county
Community Medical Center — Developmental Referrals
Community Medical Center in Missoula serves Mineral County families with developmental evaluations and autism screenings. Superior is approximately 45 miles from Missoula along I-90.
Philipsburg · multi-county
Community Medical Center — Developmental Referrals (Missoula)
Granite County families in Philipsburg access autism evaluations through Missoula (~70 miles north). Community Medical Center and Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula are the primary evaluation hubs for Granite County families.
Missoula · multi-county
Providence St. Patrick Hospital — Pediatric Services
Western Montana's largest hospital provides pediatric specialty care including developmental evaluations in Missoula. Families from Ravalli, Sanders, Mineral, and Lake counties rely on Missoula for specialist access. Referrals from a primary care physician are typically required.
Call pediatric scheduling for developmental evaluation availability. Waits can be 6–12 months.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Missoula
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Missoula County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention for children under 3 in Missoula County. Missoula has a relatively stronger EI network than most Montana counties, with home visiting, center-based options, and a broader pool of service providers.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Contact Missoula County DPHHS office to begin the referral.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Missoula
ABA Telehealth — Missoula Area
In-person ABA services in Missoula are limited. Autism Learning Partners and Centria Autism have explored Montana markets but coverage is inconsistent. Many Missoula families access ABA via supervised telehealth or travel to providers in Billings. Montana Medicaid requires ABA authorization through DPHHS.
Montana Medicaid covers ABA therapy when medically authorized. Contact DPHHS at (406) 444-5622 to begin authorization.
Billings · multi-county
Advanced Therapy Clinic — Billings
ABA therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy for children with autism in Billings and Missoula, Montana.
Source: https://www.advancedtherapyclinic.com/aba-therapy/billings
Occupational therapy & sensory
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Missoula · multi-county
Missoula Pediatric Therapy — OT and Speech
Missoula-area pediatric therapy practices provide OT and speech services for Mineral County children. Superior families have I-90 access to Missoula (~45 min) for clinic-based appointments.
Missoula · multi-county
Stepping Stones Therapy (Missoula)
Occupational therapy practice in Missoula serving children with autism, sensory processing differences, and developmental delays. Offers sensory integration therapy, fine motor skills, daily living skills, and feeding therapy.
Montana Medicaid and private insurance accepted. Waitlist common — call to get on their list early.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition — voucher program
The Coalition exists to build a statewide system of accessible, affordable respite for Montana caregivers regardless of the person's needs, and runs a respite voucher program. In a state where Montana states plainly that waiver services are limited and not entitled — with roughly 2,095 people waiting about seven years — a voucher that does not depend on the waiver is the practical route.
Area Agencies on Aging handle caregiver resources locally, including for families of children — do not be put off by the name.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Superior · multi-county
Autism Society Montana
Autism Society Montana connects Mineral County families to peer support. Missoula chapter events (~45 min from Superior along I-90) are the most accessible in-person option.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Missoula · multi-county
UM Rural Institute on Disabilities
University of Montana's federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, with a unique focus on rural and frontier disability services. Offers consultation, training, and connection to resources across Montana's vast rural landscape.
Montana's UCEDD — nationally recognized for rural and frontier disability service models.
Missoula · multi-county
UM Rural Institute on Disabilities
Based on the University of Montana campus, the Rural Institute is Montana's federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). They provide consultation, training, and referrals — particularly valuable for rural families in western Montana.
Not a direct service provider for families, but an outstanding resource for referrals, training, and systems navigation.
Missoula · multi-county
UM Rural Institute on Disabilities
University of Montana's Rural Institute on Disabilities provides consultation and referrals for Granite County families through its Missoula base. The Rural Institute specializes in rural and frontier disability service models relevant to Granite County's situation.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Missoula · multi-county
Montana Disability and Health Program - recreation resources
The University of Montana Rural Institute maintains recreation and exercise resources for disabled Montanans - the most useful statewide index in a state where organized provision is extremely sparse outside Bozeman, Missoula and Billings.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme 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 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme 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 affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme 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.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
Help families find accurate information about your services. Submit your practice for review so parents in this area can better understand their options.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it’s free →
School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Missoula County.
School & special education
- Missoula County Public Schools — Special Education
Missoula is home to the University of Montana.
Services & benefits
- MT DPHHS — Missoula County DD Services
Contact MT DPHHS's Missoula office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- MT DPHHS — Missoula County DD Services
Contact MT DPHHS's Missoula office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- MT DPHHS — Missoula County DD Services
Contact MT DPHHS's Missoula office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Missoula 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.
Communities served
Cities in Missoula County
Serving families across Missoula County including Missoula, East Missoula, Lolo, Florence, Stevensville, Hamilton, Darby, Ronan, Polson and Frenchtown and more.
See all Montana resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Montana.
Montana state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Missoula County, Montana?
We list 14 providers serving Missoula County, covering ABA therapy, parent & family support, diagnostic clinics, occupational therapy & sensory and activities, clubs & recreation, plus 3 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 Missoula County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Missoula County state that they accept Medicaid, including Stepping Stones Therapy (Missoula). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Missoula County?
ABA providers serving Missoula 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 Missoula County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Missoula County offers telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Montana?
Montana families can apply to the 0208 Comprehensive Waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is About seven years, with roughly 2,095 waiting, 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 Missoula County?
If none of the Missoula County providers is the right fit, these Montana counties currently have the most listed providers: Yellowstone County (19), Custer County (16), Dawson County (16), Lewis and Clark 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 Montana
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Missoula County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Missoula 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 Missoula County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Missoula 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 Missoula 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 Missoula County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →