Autism Resources in Stark County, North Dakota
22 providers in Dickinson and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Stark County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Stark County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
St. Joseph's Hospital & Health Center — Pediatrics
Dickinson, ND · serves several counties
St. Joseph's in Dickinson is the primary healthcare facility for Stark County and the oil-patch region of western ND. Developmental concerns can be screened here with referrals to Bismarck or Fargo specialists.
Western ND's most isolated region. Telehealth often necessary for specialists.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
ND Early Intervention Program — Stark County
Dickinson, ND · serves several counties
IDEA Part C early intervention for infants and toddlers under 3 in Stark County. Free evaluations and home-based therapy. Critical resource in western ND where specialist access is severely limited.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Often the only developmental service immediately available in Dickinson.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Lighthouse Autism Center — Telehealth (Dickinson Area)
Dickinson, ND · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Stark County families. In western ND's oil country, in-person ABA is essentially unavailable — telehealth BCBAs through Lighthouse provide the primary ABA option.
Telehealth-primary for rural western ND. ND Medicaid covers ABA; verify coverage first.
Mental health
1 providerTherapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
CHI St. Alexius — Behavioral Health Telehealth
Dickinson, ND · serves several counties
CHI St. Alexius behavioral health telehealth services for Stark County, providing therapy and psychiatric support for autistic children with co-occurring anxiety, ADHD, or depression. Telehealth is the standard of care in Dickinson.
Telehealth-delivered. Co-occurring mental health conditions are common in autism.
Advocacy & legal
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — Dickinson Outreach
Dickinson, ND · serves several counties
Pathfinder provides free IEP advocacy and training for Stark County families by phone and remotely. Essential in a region where parents often face IEP battles without local advocate support.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Remote/phone support available for western ND families.
Also serving Stark County
These 29 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Stark 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.
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Dunn County Healthcare — Behavioral Health
Manning, ND · serves several counties
Dunn County Healthcare Center in Killdeer provides primary healthcare for this oil-country county. For autism evaluations, families travel to Dickinson (Stark County, ~40 miles south) or Bismarck (~90 miles east). Part of the oil-patch west that has seen rapid population growth.
Early Intervention (0–3)
4 providersFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
ND Early Intervention Program — Billings County
Medora, ND · serves several counties
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for Billings County, the least populated county in the state and home to the Badlands. Free services for children under 3; telehealth coordination essential for this very remote county.
North Dakota Part C early intervention — statewide coordinator line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
ND Early Intervention Program — Dunn County
Manning, ND · serves several counties
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for Dunn County in the oil-country west. Free evaluations and home-based services for children under 3 in Manning and surrounding communities.
North Dakota Part C early intervention — statewide coordinator line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
ND Early Intervention Program — Golden Valley County
Beach, ND · serves several counties
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for Golden Valley County near the Montana border. Free evaluations and home-based services for children under 3 in Beach and surrounding communities.
North Dakota Part C early intervention — statewide coordinator line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
ND Early Intervention Program — Hettinger County
Mott, ND · serves several counties
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for Hettinger County. Free evaluations and home-based services for children under 3 in Mott and surrounding southwest ND communities.
North Dakota Part C early intervention — statewide coordinator line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
ABA therapy
4 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Great Plains ABA — Telehealth (Billings County)
Medora, ND · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA is the only realistic option for Billings County — ND's least populated county. Great Plains ABA and similar telehealth providers serve remote Badlands families via videoconference. Accepts ND Medicaid.
Great Plains ABA — Telehealth (Dunn County)
Manning, ND · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Dunn County families in the ND oil patch. Dickinson ABA providers are ~40 miles south for families who can make the trip. ND Medicaid covers ABA.
Great Plains ABA — Telehealth (Golden Valley County)
Beach, ND · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA is the only realistic option for Golden Valley County near the Montana border. Dickinson center-based ABA is ~50 miles east. ND Medicaid covers telehealth ABA.
Great Plains ABA — Telehealth (Hettinger County)
Mott, ND · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA for Hettinger County families in rural southwest ND. Dickinson ABA providers are ~50 miles east for families who can make the trip. ND Medicaid covers ABA.
Mental health
1 providerTherapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
CHI St. Alexius — Behavioral Health Telehealth (Billings Co.)
Medora, ND · serves several counties
Telehealth behavioral health services from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck extend coverage to Billings County families. Dickinson (Stark County) is the nearest in-person hub (~50 miles). Essential for this remote Badlands region.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
SPED — caregiver payments and up to $1,142 a month of respite
Statewide, ND · serves several counties
North Dakota's Service Payments for Elderly and Disabled program is aimed specifically at people NOT eligible for Medicaid, which makes it unusual and valuable. A family caregiver who enrolls as a provider and lives with the person they care for can receive payments of up to $48 a day, and respite services worth up to $1,142 a month. In a rural state where paid carers are scarce, paying the family member who is already doing the work is often the only arrangement that functions.
Family Voices of North Dakota will talk you through it — in a state this rural a phone call to someone who knows beats any directory.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, ND
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.
Your state's Lifespan Respite program
39 states and DC have been funded, ND
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.
Advocacy & legal
5 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Minot, ND · serves several counties
North Dakota's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for ND families statewide.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP meeting or dispute in North Dakota.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Medora, ND · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy for Billings County families — essential for this remote Badlands county where in-person resources are essentially nonexistent. Phone and video advocacy the only practical mode.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Manning, ND · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy for Dunn County families. Dickinson-area outreach and remote phone/video advocacy are the primary options for this rural western ND county.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Beach, ND · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy for Golden Valley County families via phone and video. Dickinson outreach is the nearest in-person Pathfinder resource for this remote border county.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Mott, ND · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy for Hettinger County families via phone and video. Dickinson outreach is the nearest in-person Pathfinder resource for this remote southwest ND county.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Activities, clubs & recreation
11 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Family Voices of North Dakota - recreation and camps
Edgeley, ND · serves several counties
The state family-to-family organization keeps a recreation and camps listing and will tell you what runs in your area if you ring. In a state this rural, a phone call to someone who knows is worth more than any directory.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, ND
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.
American Camp Association — camp finder
About 3,900 camps, ND
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.
Best Buddies
All 50 states — find your local program, ND
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.
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Local Easterseals across the country, ND
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.
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Camps hosted in different towns each year, ND
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.
See all 11 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, ND
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.
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, ND
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.
Miracle League
300 leagues — check for one near you, ND
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.
Special Olympics
Nationwide — find your local program, ND
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.
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
Through local soccer clubs, ND
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.
Not sure which kind of therapy you need?
Start with our plain-language guide to ABA, speech and OT — what each one is, and questions to ask on the first call.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Stark County
Stark County (Dickinson) is a regional hub in southwest North Dakota. CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson provides medical services. Dickinson Public Schools provides special education. Pathfinder Services of ND provides free statewide advocacy. Families seeking specialized evaluations travel to Bismarck. ND's Infant Development Program serves young children.
Helpful guides
Guides for Stark 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 North Dakota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in North Dakota.
North Dakota state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Stark County, North Dakota?
We list 22 providers serving Stark County, covering mental health, diagnostic clinics, activities, clubs & recreation, ABA therapy and early intervention (0–3), plus 2 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 Stark County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Stark County state that they accept Medicaid, including Great Plains ABA — Telehealth (Billings County). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Stark County?
ABA providers serving Stark 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 Stark County families?
Yes — 9 providers serving Stark 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 Stark County?
4 providers serving Stark 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota families can apply to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Waiver (ages 0–20) and the traditional IID/DD Waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Minimal on the DD waiver; 52 waiting on the ASD waiver, 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 Stark County?
If none of the Stark County providers is the right fit, these North Dakota counties currently have the most listed providers: Billings County (20), Burleigh County (19), Emmons County (18), Ramsey 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 North Dakota
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Stark County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Stark 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?
- Where do parents here actually talk to each other?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
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 Stark County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Stark 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 Stark 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.
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