Autism Resources in Forest, Wisconsin

Crandon · multi-county

Aspirus Crandon Hospital — Developmental Referrals (Forest County)

Aspirus serves Forest County from its Crandon campus. Comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to Wausau (~90 miles south). Forest County includes the Potawatomi (Forest County Potawatomi Community) and has some tribal health services through the tribe's health department.

Forest County Potawatomi tribal members may also access tribal health services.

Eagle River · multi-county

Aspirus Eagle River Hospital — Developmental Referrals (Vilas County)

Aspirus Eagle River Hospital serves Vilas County in the northernmost Wisconsin lake country. Comprehensive autism evaluations require referral to Aspirus Rhinelander (~40 miles southwest) or Aspirus Wausau (~100 miles south). Telehealth is the most practical specialist access for most Vilas County families.

Rhinelander (~40 mi SW) and Wausau (~100 mi south) for full evaluations. Telehealth is critical.

Florence · multi-county

Aspirus Florence Hospital — Developmental Referrals

Florence County is Wisconsin's smallest county by population in the far northeast lake country. Aspirus Health serves the area, with complex autism evaluations requiring travel to Wausau (~90 miles south) or Marinette (~60 miles east). Telehealth is the most practical specialist access.

Telehealth essential. Wausau (~90 mi south) for comprehensive evaluations.

Rhinelander · multi-county

Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital — Developmental Pediatrics (Oneida County)

Aspirus Health's Rhinelander campus serves Oneida County in the northwoods lake country. Comprehensive autism evaluations typically require referral to Aspirus in Wausau (~75 miles south) or Marshfield Clinic. Rhinelander is the regional hub for the Northwoods tri-county area.

Wausau (~75 mi south) or Marshfield Clinic for full developmental evaluations.

Crandon

Wisconsin Birth to 3 — Forest County

Wisconsin's Part C early intervention for children under 3 in Forest County. Free in-home developmental therapy, speech, and OT services. The primary locally delivered developmental service for young children in this northwoods county.

FREE under IDEA Part C. No diagnosis required.

Florence · multi-county

Telehealth ABA — Florence County

Florence County's extreme rurality makes telehealth ABA and behavioral parent training the most viable option for most families. Center-based ABA requires travel to Wausau or Green Bay. Contact Wisconsin ABA providers about telehealth eligibility.

Telehealth ABA is the primary option. ForwardHealth accepted by telehealth providers.

Crandon · multi-county

Telehealth ABA — Forest County

Forest County's remote northwoods location makes telehealth behavioral parent training and ABA the most accessible option. Center-based services require significant travel south. Contact Wisconsin providers about telehealth delivery and ForwardHealth eligibility.

ForwardHealth and Medicaid accepted by telehealth providers. In-person requires travel to Wausau.

Eagle River · multi-county

Telehealth ABA — Vilas County / Northwoods Lake Country

Vilas County's extreme remoteness and seasonal population fluctuations make telehealth behavioral parent training and ABA the most viable option for most permanent residents. Center-based ABA requires travel to Rhinelander or Wausau.

ForwardHealth and commercial insurance accepted by telehealth providers. In-person requires travel south.

Florence · multi-county

Autism Society of Wisconsin — Florence County / Northern Lake Country

Autism Society of Wisconsin online peer support for Florence County families. Virtual communities and the statewide helpline are the primary support resources for families in Wisconsin's most sparsely populated county.

Crandon · multi-county

Autism Society of Wisconsin — Forest County / Northwoods Region

Autism Society of Wisconsin peer support for Forest County families. Virtual peer groups and the statewide helpline are the main community touchpoints given the county's remote location.

Eagle River · multi-county

Autism Society of Wisconsin — Vilas County / Northwoods Lakes

Autism Society of Wisconsin peer support for Vilas County families. Online community and statewide helpline are the primary support resources in Wisconsin's northernmost lake country where in-person autism programming is essentially unavailable locally.

Florence · multi-county

WI FACETS — IEP Advocacy (Florence County)

Free IEP advocacy from FACETS for Florence County families. Phone and video support for families navigating IDEA rights in this tiny northwoods county with one of the smallest school districts in Wisconsin.

FREE. Phone and video — essential for this remote county.

Crandon · multi-county

WI FACETS — IEP Advocacy (Forest County)

Free IEP advocacy from FACETS for Forest County families. Statewide phone and video support for families navigating IDEA rights in the Crandon School District. Tribal families should also inquire about tribal education advocacy resources.

FREE. Phone and video support statewide.

Rhinelander · multi-county

WI FACETS — IEP Advocacy (Oneida County)

Free IEP coaching and special education rights support for Oneida County families from Wisconsin's federally funded PTI. Covers Rhinelander and Northland Pines school districts.

FREE. Federally funded PTI.

Eagle River · multi-county

WI FACETS — IEP Advocacy (Vilas County)

Free IEP coaching and special education rights support for Vilas County families from Wisconsin's federally funded PTI. Covers Northland Pines and Three Lakes school districts serving the lake country.

FREE. Phone and video support — essential for this remote county.