County resource guide
Autism Resources in Benson, North Dakota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Benson. North Dakota statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
13 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Devils Lake · multi-county
Mercy Hospital — Devils Lake Pediatric Care
Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake provides pediatric care and developmental screening for Ramsey County. Autism evaluations typically require referral to Grand Forks (Altru) or Fargo (Sanford).
Rural critical access hospital. Comprehensive autism evaluations require referral to Grand Forks or Fargo.
Fort Totten · multi-county
Spirit Lake Health Center — Tribal Health (Benson County)
The Spirit Lake Health Center (Indian Health Service) in Fort Totten serves enrolled Spirit Lake Nation members in Benson County. Developmental referrals and health coordination available for tribal families; off-reservation families are referred to Devils Lake (Mercy Hospital) or Grand Forks (Altru).
Rugby · multi-county
Towner County Medical Center — Referral Hub for Pierce County
Pierce County families seeking developmental evaluations are typically referred to Minot (Trinity Health, ~75 miles west) or Devils Lake (Mercy Hospital, ~60 miles east). Rugby, at the geographical center of North America, has limited local medical resources. Telehealth through Sanford or CHI St. Alexius is the recommended first step.
Geographic center of North America — very rural. Minot (~75 miles) or Devils Lake (~60 miles) are the specialist destinations.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Minnewaukan · multi-county
ND Early Intervention Program — Benson County
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for Benson County, home to Devils Lake (Spirit Lake Nation) tribal lands. EI coordinates with tribal programs for enrolled Spirit Lake Nation families. Free services for children under 3.
Devils Lake · multi-county
ND Early Intervention Program — Ramsey County
IDEA Part C early intervention for infants and toddlers under 3 in Ramsey County. Free evaluations and home-based services; the earliest intervention available for young children in the Devils Lake area.
FREE under IDEA Part C.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Minnewaukan · multi-county
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Benson County)
Telehealth ABA therapy for Benson County families. No local ABA providers; telehealth BCBAs are the primary option for this rural north-central ND county near Spirit Lake Nation. Accepts ND Medicaid.
Rugby · multi-county
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Pierce County)
Telehealth ABA therapy for Pierce County families in Rugby and surrounding communities. No local ABA providers; telehealth BCBAs are the only practical ABA option for this geographically central but service-sparse ND county. Accepts ND Medicaid.
ND Medicaid covers ABA. Telehealth is the only practical ABA option for this rural county.
Devils Lake · multi-county
Great Plains ABA — Telehealth (Devils Lake Area)
Great Plains ABA offers telehealth services for Ramsey County families in the Devils Lake area. In-person ABA is not available locally; telehealth is the primary option for this rural north-central ND region.
ND Medicaid covers ABA. Telehealth is standard for rural north-central ND.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Fargo · multi-county
Autism Society of North Dakota
Statewide autism organization providing peer support and resource navigation for Pierce County families at the geographical center of North America.
Fargo · multi-county
Autism Society of North Dakota
Statewide autism organization providing peer support and resource navigation for Benson County families near Spirit Lake Nation in north-central ND.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Rugby · multi-county
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Pierce County families. Remote advocacy is the primary mode for this very rural north-central ND county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Remote/phone advocacy essential.
Minnewaukan · multi-county
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Benson County families including tribal school and public school IEP advocacy. Pathfinder has experience with tribal education contexts in ND.
Devils Lake · multi-county
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — North-Central Outreach
Pathfinder provides free IEP advocacy and training for Ramsey County families by phone and remotely. Devils Lake families can also connect with tribal education resources given the proximity to Spirit Lake Nation.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Spirit Lake Nation also has tribal education services.
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Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in North Dakota.
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