County resource guide
Autism Resources in Williams County, North Dakota
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Williams County. North Dakota statewide resources also apply.
Williams County (Williston) is a fast-growing energy-sector hub in far northwest North Dakota near the Montana border. CHI St. Alexius Health Williston provides medical services. Williston Public School District provides special education. Pathfinder Services of ND provides free statewide advocacy. Families seeking specialized evaluations travel to Bismarck or Fargo.
Provider directory
Local Providers26 providers in Williams 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 Williams County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Crosby · multi-county
Crosby Municipal Hospital — Developmental Referrals
Crosby Municipal Hospital is the primary healthcare facility for Divide County in the far northwest corner of ND. For autism evaluations, families travel to Williston (Williams County, ~60 miles south) or to providers in Sidney, MT (~100 miles west).
Watford City · multi-county
McKenzie County Healthcare System — Developmental Referrals
McKenzie County Healthcare System in Watford City is the medical hub for this oil-boom county in northwestern ND. For comprehensive autism evaluations, families travel to Williston (Williams County, ~50 miles north) or Minot (~130 miles east). Oil-country population growth means demand for services has increased rapidly.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Crosby · multi-county
ND Early Intervention Program — Divide County
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for Divide County at the far northwest corner of ND near Montana. Free evaluations and home-based services for children under 3.
North Dakota Part C early intervention — statewide coordinator line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Watford City · multi-county
ND Early Intervention Program — McKenzie County
North Dakota's IDEA Part C Early Intervention for McKenzie County. Free evaluations and home-based services for children under 3 in Watford City and this rapidly growing oil-country county.
North Dakota Part C early intervention — statewide coordinator line. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Williston · multi-county
ND Infant & Toddler Program — Williams County
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Williston · multi-county
Bakken Region ABA & Behavioral Therapy
Crosby · multi-county
Lighthouse Autism Center — Telehealth (Divide County)
Telehealth ABA is the only realistic option for Divide County — one of ND's most remote counties near the Montana border. Telehealth BCBAs provide the primary ABA support. Accepts ND Medicaid.
Watford City · multi-county
Lighthouse Autism Center — Telehealth (McKenzie County)
Telehealth ABA for McKenzie County families in the ND oil patch. Williston center-based ABA is ~50 miles north. ND Medicaid covers ABA; oil-country commercial insurance also typically covers ABA under ND's mandate.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Williston · multi-county
Mercy Health — Pediatric Therapy Williston
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
SPED — caregiver payments and up to $1,142 a month of respite
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 enrols 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.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Williston · multi-county
Disability Rights North Dakota — Western Outreach
Crosby · multi-county
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Free IEP advocacy for Divide County families via phone and video — remote advocacy is the only practical mode for this very remote border county.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Watford City · multi-county
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota
Free IEP advocacy for McKenzie County families. Williston outreach and remote advocacy available. Oil-country population influx means more families needing special education support.
Pathfinder Services of North Dakota — state Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Edgeley · multi-county
Family Voices of North Dakota - recreation and camps
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.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme 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 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme 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 affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme 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.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
Help families find accurate information about your services. Submit your practice for review so parents in this area can better understand their options.
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Williams County.
School & special education
- Williston Public Schools — Special Education
Williston is the county seat of Williams County in the oil-producing Bakken region.
Services & benefits
- North Dakota HHS — Williams County DD Services
Contact ND HHS Developmental Disability Service for Williams County waiver enrollment.
Adult services
- North Dakota HHS — Williams County DD Services
Contact ND HHS Developmental Disability Service for Williams County waiver enrollment.
Respite & support
- North Dakota HHS — Williams County DD Services
Contact ND HHS Developmental Disability Service for Williams County waiver enrollment.
Helpful guides
Guides for Williams 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.
Communities served
Cities in Williams County
Serving families across Williams County including Williston, Tioga, Ray, Watford City, Alexander, Trenton, Grenora, Zahl, Alamo and Epping and more.
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 Williams County, North Dakota?
We list 14 providers serving Williams County, covering ABA therapy, diagnostic clinics, advocacy & legal, activities, clubs & recreation and speech therapy, 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 Williams County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Williams County state that they accept Medicaid, including Lighthouse Autism Center — Telehealth (Divide County). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Williams County?
ABA providers serving Williams 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 Williams County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Williams 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 Williams County?
2 providers serving Williams 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 Williams County?
If none of the Williams County providers is the right fit, these North Dakota counties currently have the most listed providers: Stutsman County (26), Burleigh County (24), Stark County (24), Emmons County (22). 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 Williams County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Williams 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 Williams County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Williams 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 Williams 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 Williams County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →