County resource guide
Autism Resources in Platte County, Nebraska
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Platte County. Nebraska statewide resources also apply.
Platte County (Columbus) is a regional hub in east-central Nebraska. Columbus Community Hospital provides medical services. Columbus Public Schools provides special education. PTI Nebraska provides free statewide IEP advocacy, and the Nebraska EDN serves young children. Families seeking specialized evaluations travel to Omaha or Lincoln.
Provider directory
Local Providers28 providers in Platte 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 Platte County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Platte County
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Columbus · multi-county
Columbus Community Hospital — Developmental Services
Developmental screenings and referrals for children in Platte County through Columbus Community Hospital. Staff can connect families with local therapy providers and the state Early Development Network for children under 3.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Columbus · multi-county
Early Development Network — Northeast Region
Nebraska Part C Early Intervention services for children under 3 in northeast Nebraska including Platte County. EDN coordinates evaluation and free in-home developmental services. Call the state helpline to begin.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Parents can self-refer.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Norfolk · multi-county
Faith Regional Health Services — Pediatric Therapy
Pediatric speech-language pathology and developmental therapy at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, serving Platte and Madison counties. Offers evaluations and ongoing therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Covers both Platte and Madison counties in northeast Nebraska.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Columbus · multi-county
PTI Nebraska — IEP Advocacy (Platte Co.)
Nebraska's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center provides free IEP support and special education advocacy to Platte County families. Phone and in-person consultations available statewide.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Available for any IEP, 504, or special ed question in Nebraska.
Also serving Platte County
These 24 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Platte County in the area they cover. Worth calling to confirm how far they actually travel, and whether telehealth or in-home visits are an option.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Central City · multi-county
Nebraska Early Development Network — Merrick County
Nebraska's EDN provides free early intervention for children under 3 in Merrick County. Services are coordinated in home and community settings throughout Central City and surrounding communities between Grand Island and Columbus.
Nebraska Early Development Network — statewide Child Find referral line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Fullerton · multi-county
Nebraska Early Development Network — Nance County
Nebraska's EDN provides free early intervention for children under 3 in Nance County. Services are delivered in home and community settings in Fullerton and surrounding communities in central Nebraska.
Nebraska Early Development Network — statewide Child Find referral line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Central City · multi-county
Nebraska ASD Network — Telehealth (Merrick County)
The Nebraska ASD Network provides telehealth ABA consultation and parent training for Merrick County families. Grand Island ABA providers are within reach for in-person therapy for families in Central City.
Fullerton · multi-county
Nebraska ASD Network — Telehealth (Nance County)
The Nebraska ASD Network provides telehealth ABA consultation and parent training for Nance County families. Columbus and Grand Island ABA providers are accessible for in-person therapy for families able to travel.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Norfolk · multi-county
Faith Regional Health Services — Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-language pathology services for children with autism at Faith Regional in Norfolk. Covers AAC evaluation, language development, and social communication. Accepts Nebraska Medicaid and most commercial insurance.
Nebraska Medicaid accepted.
Occupational therapy & sensory
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Norfolk · multi-county
Faith Regional Health Services — OT & Sensory
Occupational therapy including sensory integration services at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Pediatric OT for children with autism, sensory processing differences, and motor delays in Madison County.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Nebraska Lifespan Respite Subsidy Program
Nebraska pays a respite subsidy of up to $125 a month toward the cost of respite for unpaid family caregivers, with up to a further $2,000 a year available in exceptional circumstances. Income must be at or below 312 percent of the federal poverty level, which is a far higher ceiling than most families expect. Nebraska also eliminated its developmental disabilities registry entirely in 2025, so waiver respite is genuinely reachable here too.
312% of the federal poverty level is generous — check the figure for your household size before assuming you earn too much.
Searchable by state
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national directory of respite providers and programs, run by ARCH, the National Respite Network and Resource Center. ARCH says it is not a complete list, so it works best alongside…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH's advice is to contact your State Respite Coalition or Lifespan Respite program first. Before you pay out of pocket, also check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds.
39 states and DC have been funded
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
Lifespan Respite programs are federally funded, state-run programs that help family caregivers of children or adults, regardless of special need, find and pay for respite.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
ARCH lists every state's Lifespan Respite contact and respite coalition on this page. Ask specifically about voucher or stipend programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Central City · multi-county
Autism Society of Nebraska — Statewide Support
The Autism Society of Nebraska connects Merrick County families to peer support and statewide resources. Grand Island-area support groups are accessible for families in Central City (~25 miles east).
Autism Society of Nebraska. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Fullerton · multi-county
Autism Society of Nebraska — Statewide Support
The Autism Society of Nebraska connects Nance County families to peer support and statewide resources. Columbus and Grand Island area support groups are within reach for Fullerton families.
Autism Society of Nebraska. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Norfolk · multi-county
PTI Nebraska — IEP Advocacy (Madison Co.)
Free special education and IEP advocacy from Nebraska's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Available to all Madison County families by phone, video, or in person.
FREE. Call before any IEP meeting, evaluation request, or dispute with the school district.
Fullerton · multi-county
PTI Nebraska — Parent Training & Information Center
PTI Nebraska serves Nance County families with free IEP advocacy and special education support. Remote consultations make this federally funded resource accessible for all Nebraska families.
PTI Nebraska — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Autism-friendly dentists
Dentists experienced with autistic patients — desensitisation visits, sensory accommodations, and staff who take the time it takes.
Omaha · multi-county
Munroe-Meyer Institute Dental Clinic (UNMC)
6902 Pine St., Omaha, NE 68106
One of the most thoughtfully adapted dental environments we have found anywhere. Rooms can be darkened and the lighting color changed, equipment stays concealed until it is actually needed, and the space adapts around wheelchairs and individual preference. It serves patients of all ages and abilities across the whole lifespan, and sits inside Munroe-Meyer, which runs more than fifty clinical services for people with disabilities. The stated aim is a lifelong positive relationship with dental care rather than getting through one appointment.
Say when you book that your child needs the low-sensory setup - it is a deliberate feature here, not a favor. Sedation is available for anxious patients.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
227 programs in 32 states
ACEing Autism
Tennis clinics for kids, teens and, in some locations, adults on the autism spectrum.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location and scholarships are available. Use the Find a Program search on their site with your zip code.
About 3,900 camps
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of about 3,900 camps, with a filter for disabilities and other special needs alongside distance, activities, session length and cost. A good single starting…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Choose day or overnight, then use the "Disabilities and Other Special Needs" filter. Specialized camps can fill early, so start looking in the winter before.
All 50 states — find your local program
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, with programs from elementary school through college and adulthood, plus…
A national program 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 1-800-89-BUDDY, to locate your nearest program.
Local Easterseals across the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and residential camps for children and adults with disabilities, plus sports, social activities and community outings run by local Easterseals.
A national program 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 locations — use the Find your Easterseals search on the page and check what yours actually runs.
Camps hosted in different towns each year
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle over a five-day camp, 75 minutes a day. iCan Shine says about 80% of participants ride independently by the end…
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their Camp Locations page for dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Free, non-competitive, one-to-one recreation for youth ages 5 to 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, led by trained volunteer coaches.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. KEEN runs in six cities plus two university campus chapters (Vanderbilt and the University of Virginia) — outside those, it is not available yet.
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder
Little League Challenger Division
Little League's adaptive baseball program for anyone with a physical or intellectual challenge.
A national program 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. Little League's rule is that a player who can take part in regular Little League with reasonable accommodations should do so.
300 leagues — check for one near you
Miracle League
Baseball for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities, played on custom-designed rubberized turf fields that accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the Find a Miracle League page on their site — there are 300 leagues, so coverage is good but not universal.
Nationwide — find your local program
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition for children and adults.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility requires an intellectual disability, a cognitive delay measured by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay, identified by an agency or professional. If your child is autistic without a cognitive delay, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after. Ask your local program about any costs.
Through local soccer clubs
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, offered through local US Youth Soccer clubs.
A national program with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Find your state association's TOPSoccer clubs through the link on their page, or ask your state association office directly — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
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Helpful guides
Guides for Platte 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.
See all Nebraska resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Nebraska.
Nebraska state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Platte County, Nebraska?
We list 16 providers serving Platte County, covering parent & family support, diagnostic clinics, early intervention (0–3), occupational therapy & sensory and speech therapy, plus 4 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 Platte County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Platte County state that they accept Medicaid, including Faith Regional Health Services — Speech-Language Pathology. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Platte County?
ABA providers serving Platte 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 Platte County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Platte County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Platte County?
3 providers serving Platte County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Nebraska?
Nebraska families can apply to the Autism Waiver, Comprehensive and Developmental Disabilities Adult Day waivers, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is No waitlist — the registry was eliminated in June 2025, 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 Platte County?
If none of the Platte County providers is the right fit, these Nebraska counties currently have the most listed providers: Sarpy County (21), Washington County (21), Dodge County (19), Furnas County (19). 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 Nebraska
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Platte County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Platte 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.
- 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?
- Who has managed an eye exam here?
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 Platte County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Platte 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 Platte 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 Platte County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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