Autism Resources in Hughes County, South Dakota
23 providers in Pierre and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Hughes County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Hughes County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Sanford Pierre Pediatrics
Pierre, SD · serves several counties
Sanford Health pediatric clinic in Pierre, the state capital, serving Hughes County and surrounding central SD counties. Developmental concerns can be referred to Sioux Falls specialists via Sanford's network.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
SD Department of Human Services — Developmental Disabilities
Pierre, SD · serves several counties
The SD DHS Developmental Disabilities Program administers waivers, Birth to 3, and adult services. Families in Hughes County can work directly with the state office, which is headquartered in Pierre.
State capital location — state DD program staff are accessible here for escalated questions.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Hopebridge — Telehealth ABA (Pierre Area)
Pierre, SD · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Hughes County. Pierre is an isolated capital city with few local autism specialists — telehealth through national providers like Hopebridge fills the gap.
SD Medicaid covers ABA therapy. Contact Hopebridge to verify coverage before starting.
Speech therapy
1 providerSpeech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Sanford Pierre — Speech-Language Pathology
Pierre, SD · serves several counties
Outpatient pediatric speech therapy at Sanford Pierre for children with autism-related communication delays. Serves Hughes County and rural families from Stanley, Sully, and surrounding counties.
Advocacy & legal
1 providerLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
South Dakota Parent Connection — Pierre Outreach
Pierre, SD · serves several counties
SDPC free IEP advocacy for Hughes County families. As the state capital, Pierre families can also sometimes get in-person appointments with the Sioux Falls SDPC office more easily than other rural counties.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Also serving Hughes County
These 30 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Hughes 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
8 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Avera St. Luke's — Developmental Referrals (Faulk County)
Faulkton, SD · serves several counties
Faulk County families in Faulkton access developmental and autism evaluation services through Avera St. Luke's in Aberdeen (Brown County, ~60 miles) or Sanford Pierre (~50 miles).
Monument Health Rapid City — Developmental Referrals (Haakon County)
Philip, SD · serves several counties
Haakon County families in Philip access developmental and autism evaluation services through Monument Health Rapid City (~90 miles west) or Sanford Pierre (~75 miles east). Philip is a very small town in one of SD's most sparsely populated counties.
Philip is equidistant between Rapid City and Pierre — telehealth is critical for most specialty services.
Monument Health Rapid City — Developmental Referrals (Jackson County)
Kadoka, SD · serves several counties
Jackson County families in Kadoka access developmental and autism evaluation services through Monument Health Rapid City (~100 miles west) or Sanford Pierre (~100 miles northeast). Jackson County is one of SD's most isolated counties.
Kadoka is ~2 hours from both major SD medical hubs. Telehealth is essential.
Sanford Pierre — Developmental Referrals (Hyde County)
Highmore, SD · serves several counties
Hyde County families in Highmore access developmental and autism evaluation services through Sanford Pierre (~60 miles south). Pierre is the state capital and serves as the regional hub for this remote central SD county.
Sanford Pierre — Developmental Referrals (Jones County)
Murdo, SD · serves several counties
Jones County families in Murdo are approximately 75 miles southwest of Pierre. Sanford Pierre is the closest regional hospital for developmental referrals, with comprehensive evaluations available in Rapid City or Sioux Falls.
Jones County is one of the least populated counties in the US. Telehealth is essential for all specialty services.
Sanford Pierre — Developmental Referrals (Lyman County)
Kennebec, SD · serves several counties
Lyman County families in Kennebec access developmental services through Sanford Pierre (~60 miles north), the closest regional hospital. Pierre is the state capital and offers developmental pediatrics referrals to Sioux Falls or Rapid City for comprehensive evaluations.
Pierre (Hughes County) is the closest hub, ~60 miles north of Kennebec.
See all 8 diagnostic clinics providersShow fewer
Sanford Pierre — Developmental Referrals (Stanley County)
Fort Pierre, SD · serves several counties
Stanley County families in Fort Pierre are across the Missouri River from Pierre — literally minutes from Sanford Pierre, the regional hub for south-central SD. Fort Pierre families have unusually good access to the state capital's health services.
Fort Pierre is directly across the Missouri River from Pierre — under 5 minutes to Sanford Pierre.
Sanford Pierre — Developmental Referrals (Sully County)
Onida, SD · serves several counties
Sully County families in Onida access developmental and autism evaluation services through Sanford Pierre (~40 miles south). Pierre is the regional hub for this very small north-central SD county on the Missouri River.
ABA therapy
4 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Hyde County)
Highmore, SD · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Hyde County families in this very small, remote central SD county. BCBA-supervised parent training and behavior support. SD Medicaid accepted.
SD Medicaid covers ABA therapy. Pierre is the nearest in-person hub.
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Lyman County)
Kennebec, SD · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Lyman County families in south-central SD. BCBA-supervised parent training and behavior support. SD Medicaid accepted. No in-person ABA providers serve this rural county.
SD Medicaid covers ABA therapy. Telehealth is the only realistic ABA option in Lyman County.
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Stanley County)
Fort Pierre, SD · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Stanley County families in Fort Pierre. Pierre/Sanford is the nearest in-person hub, just across the river. SD Medicaid accepted for eligible children.
SD Medicaid covers ABA therapy. Pierre in-person options are a short bridge drive away.
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Sully County)
Onida, SD · serves several counties
Telehealth ABA therapy for Sully County families in Onida. BCBA-supervised parent training and behavior support. SD Medicaid accepted. Pierre is the nearest in-person hub at ~40 miles.
SD Medicaid covers ABA therapy.
Respite care
3 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
South Dakota Respite Care Program
Statewide, SD · serves several counties
A straightforward state program: up to $600 a year for the first eligible person in a family and $200 for each additional one, capped at $1,000 per family per year running June to May. Eligibility is unusually broad — developmental disability at any age, developmental delay from birth to three, serious emotional disturbance in a child, severe and persistent mental illness in an adult, a chronic medical condition in a child, traumatic brain injury, or an adopted child with or without a disability.
The program year runs 1 June to 31 May, so apply early in that window rather than late. South Dakota Parent Connection helps families with the paperwork.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, SD
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, SD
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.
South Dakota Parent Connection
Faulkton, SD · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy and one-on-one support from SD's federally funded PTI for Faulk County families. Phone and remote support essential in this remote north-central SD community.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
South Dakota Parent Connection
Kennebec, SD · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy and one-on-one support from SD's federally funded PTI for Lyman County families. Phone and remote consultations are essential in this remote south-central SD community.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
South Dakota Parent Connection
Highmore, SD · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy and one-on-one support from SD's federally funded PTI for Hyde County families. Remote and phone support essential in this isolated central SD county with very few local professional resources.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
South Dakota Parent Connection
Fort Pierre, SD · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy and one-on-one support from SD's federally funded PTI for Stanley County families. Fort Pierre families have the advantage of easy access to Pierre, where the SD DHS and state education office are also located.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
South Dakota Parent Connection
Onida, SD · serves several counties
Free IEP advocacy and one-on-one support from SD's federally funded PTI for Sully County families. Phone and remote support essential in this very small, remote north-central SD county.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Activities, clubs & recreation
10 providersClubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
ACEing Autism
227 programs in 32 states, SD
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, SD
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, SD
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, SD
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, SD
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.
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Six cities only: Chicago, DC–Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, SD
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.
See all 10 activities, clubs & recreation providersShow fewer
Little League Challenger Division
Through local Little Leagues — use the League Finder, SD
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, SD
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, SD
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, SD
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.
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About autism services in Hughes County
Hughes County (Pierre) is home to South Dakota's state capital. Avera St. Mary's Hospital provides medical services. Pierre School District provides special education. South Dakota Parent Connection (SD PTI) provides free statewide advocacy. Families seeking specialized evaluations travel to Sioux Falls or Rapid City. SD's Birth to 3 program serves young children.
Helpful guides
Guides for Hughes 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 South Dakota resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in South Dakota.
South 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 Hughes County, South Dakota?
We list 23 providers serving Hughes County, covering diagnostic clinics, ABA therapy, speech therapy, early intervention (0–3) and advocacy & legal, plus 1 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 Hughes County accept Medicaid?
4 of the providers we list for Hughes County state that they accept Medicaid, including Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Hyde County), Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Lyman County), Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Stanley County) and Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Sully County). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Hughes County?
ABA providers serving Hughes 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 Hughes County families?
Yes — 8 providers serving Hughes County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in South Dakota?
South Dakota families can apply to the CHOICES and Family Support 360 waivers, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Generally served without a long queue; risk-based priority if a list forms, 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 Hughes County?
If none of the Hughes County providers is the right fit, these South Dakota counties currently have the most listed providers: Brown County (28), Codington County (28), Davison County (25), Sanborn County (24). 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 South Dakota
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Hughes County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Hughes 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 Hughes County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Hughes 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 Hughes 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 Hughes County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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