County resource guide
Sanders County, Montana
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Sanders County. Montana statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
10 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Thompson Falls
Clark Fork Valley Hospital — Pediatric Referrals
Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains serves Sanders County's remote western Montana communities. Autism evaluations require travel to Missoula (~1.5 hrs) or Kalispell (~1.5 hrs). Flathead Reservation proximity means some families also have IHS access. Telehealth from Missoula or Kalispell is increasingly available.
Missoula (~1.5 hrs) and Kalispell (~1.5 hrs) are equidistant for most Sanders County families. Some families near the Flathead Reservation boundary may access IHS services. Telehealth strongly recommended.
Kalispell · multi-county
Logan Health — Pediatric Specialty Services
Kalispell Regional Medical Center (now Logan Health) is the primary hospital and specialty care hub for northwest Montana. Pediatric developmental evaluations are available, though capacity is limited and Flathead County families often face significant wait times or travel to Missoula or Seattle.
Formerly Kalispell Regional Healthcare. Ask for pediatric developmental referral. Seattle Children's telehealth programs sometimes serve northwest Montana 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.
Thompson Falls
Montana Infants and Toddlers Program — Sanders County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention for children under 3 in Sanders County. Very limited local EI providers; itinerant providers from Missoula or Kalispell serve this remote county. Early referral is critical given provider scarcity.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Sanders County DPHHS coordinates EI. Remote location — itinerant providers travel from Missoula or Kalispell. Start referral process immediately.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Thompson Falls
Montana ABA Telehealth — Sanders County
Sanders County has no in-person ABA providers. Telehealth ABA parent coaching from Missoula or Kalispell-based providers is the most accessible option. Montana Medicaid covers ABA telehealth statewide. Tribal families near the Flathead Reservation boundary should inquire about IHS behavioral health.
Montana Medicaid covers ABA telehealth. Missoula and Kalispell have ABA and behavior support providers accessible by telehealth.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Thompson Falls
Autism Society Montana
Sanders County families access Autism Society Montana's statewide support network. Missoula and Kalispell events are each about 1.5 hours away. Online peer support is often the most accessible option for families in this remote county.
Missoula and Kalispell events both ~1.5 hrs away. Online support recommended for routine connection. Contact Autism Society Montana for current schedule.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Polson · multi-county
Parents Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK)
PLUK provides free IEP advocacy for Lake County families including tribal families in Mission Valley Schools and Polson School District. PLUK understands the intersection of state special education law and tribal education rights.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Tribal families: PLUK can advise on both IDEA rights in public schools and BIE school rights. No local Polson office — contact main number.
Thompson Falls · multi-county
Parents Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK)
PLUK provides free IEP advocacy for Sanders County families including Thompson Falls and Plains school districts. Phone and virtual consultations are the primary service mode for this remote western Montana county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. No local Thompson Falls office — contact main Billings number. Virtual and phone consultations primary.
Kalispell · multi-county
Parents Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) — Northwest Outreach
PLUK serves Flathead County families with free IEP advocacy, training, and resource navigation. As one of Montana's more populated counties outside Billings, Flathead County families benefit from PLUK outreach and the Montana Autism Education Project (MAEP).
FREE. Federally funded PTI. No permanent Kalispell office — contact main Billings number.
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.
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