County resource guide
Ravalli County, Montana
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Ravalli County. Montana statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
7 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Hamilton
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital — Pediatric Care
Hamilton's Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital serves the Bitterroot Valley and can provide pediatric care and referrals for developmental evaluation. Most Ravalli County families travel 45 minutes to Missoula for autism evaluations; this hospital is the primary local entry point into the system.
Ask for developmental pediatrics referral to Missoula specialists. Travel to Missoula (45 min) is common for evaluations.
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.
Hamilton
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Ravalli County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention services for children under 3 in Ravalli County. Due to proximity to Missoula, some EI service providers cover the Bitterroot Valley. Families in southern Ravalli County face longer travel times.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Ravalli County DPHHS office in Hamilton coordinates EI services.
Occupational therapy & sensory
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Hamilton
Bitterroot Therapy Services
Occupational and speech therapy services in the Bitterroot Valley serving children with autism and developmental differences. Smaller practice serving Ravalli County families who prefer not to drive to Missoula for routine therapy.
Montana Medicaid and major insurers. Telehealth available. Confirm autism experience when scheduling.
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.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Hamilton
Telehealth Note for Ravalli County
Ravalli County has very limited local autism mental-health resources. Most families access mental-health therapy via telehealth or travel to Missoula. The Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana (bhamontana.org) maintains a statewide finder. Montana Medicaid covers telehealth.
Montana Medicaid reimburses telehealth mental-health sessions statewide.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
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.
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See all Montana resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Montana.
Montana state guide →