Local Autism Resources in Fort Collins, CO
Clinics, programs, parks and people in Larimer County that help families of autistic kids in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor, each one checked against the organization's own website. No sponsored listings.
Getting a diagnosis
Where to get an evaluation, and who to call first for a child under 3.
Ages 0-3
Early Intervention Colorado, Larimer County (Foothills Gateway)
Early intervention
County program
Parent referral
Larimer County's early intervention program for babies and toddlers under 3, and you can refer your own child through the state referral line.
BCBA note
Ages 0-21
Larimer County HCP for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
County program
Free
Care coordination
Free care coordination from Larimer County Public Health for children with more health or developmental needs than other kids, from birth to 21.
BCBA note
Ages 3-5
Poudre School District Child Find
School district
Preschool evaluation
The Fort Collins school district team to call if your child is 3 to 5 and you are worried about their development.
BCBA note
Preschool age
Thompson School District Child Find
School district
Free evaluation
Preschool evaluation
Loveland's school district program that screens and evaluates preschool children who may have a developmental delay, at no cost to families.
BCBA note
Alpaca Health
This is us.
ABA therapy by telehealth anywhere in Colorado, and at home where an independent BCBA serves your address. Health First Colorado and private insurance are verified before therapy starts.
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Paying for care
Medicaid, the Innovations Waiver, SSI, grants and local charities.
Under 18
Children's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver through Foothills Gateway
Medicaid waiver
County program
The Medicaid waiver for Larimer County children under 18 with developmental disabilities or delays and intensive behavioral or medical needs, handled locally by Foothills Gateway.
BCBA note
Health First Colorado (Medicaid) through Larimer County Human Services
Medicaid
County office
The Larimer County office that takes applications for Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, in Fort Collins and Loveland.
BCBA note
All ages
Family Support Services Program (FSSP), Foothills Gateway
State funded
Family support
State-funded help and funding for Larimer County families caring at home for a family member of any age with an intellectual or developmental disability.
BCBA note
Health First Colorado Member Contact Center
Medicaid
Statewide
The statewide line and website for Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program, to apply, find a provider, check your renewal date or get a ride.
BCBA note
Ages 5 and older
Home Care Allowance through Foothills Gateway
State program
Home care
A state program, handled locally by Foothills Gateway, that helps pay a home care provider so a person with a disability can stay at home.
BCBA note
Free download
IHSS Colorado Application Checklist
Apply for IHSS in Colorado from Fort Collins with every step and document in one place.
Parent groups and advocates
People who have done this before and will pick up the phone.
PEAK Parent Center
Statewide
Parent advisors
IEP help
Colorado's parent center for families of children with disabilities, with parent advisors who answer questions about IFSPs, IEPs and 504 plans by phone or email.
BCBA note
All ages
The Arc of Larimer County
Free advocacy
IEP help
Free one-on-one advocates in Fort Collins who help families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with IEP meetings, waivers and planning.
BCBA note
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Statewide
Disability rights
A Colorado disability rights group run by and for people with disabilities, offering individual advocacy and ways to speak up on policy.
BCBA note
Disability Justice (formerly Disability Law Colorado)
Statewide
Legal advocacy
Colorado's protection and advocacy organization, with advocates and attorneys who take requests for help with disability discrimination, abuse and neglect.
BCBA note
Family Voices Colorado
Statewide
Health care help
A parent-run group that helps Colorado families of children with special health care needs with insurance, waivers, specialists and early intervention.
BCBA note
Parent to Parent of Colorado
Statewide
Parent matching
Spanish
A statewide network that matches you with a trained support parent who has raised a child with a disability or special health care need.
BCBA note
School help
The district offices, scholarships and programs that shape your child's school day.
Poudre School District Integrated Services
School district
Parent liaison
IEP help
Poudre School District's special education department, with a parent liaison who answers questions about IEPs and services for students with disabilities.
BCBA note
Thompson School District Exceptional Student Services
School district
Free
IEP help
Loveland's school district special education department, which provides special education and related services to eligible students at no cost to parents.
BCBA note
Poudre School District Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Parent committee
School district
A group of Poudre School District parents, staff and community partners that advises the district on improving services for students on IEPs.
BCBA note
Thompson School District Autism Interventionists
School district
Autism support
Thompson School District has autism interventionists, including one for early childhood, that parents can contact with questions or concerns.
BCBA note
Places to play and explore
Parks, libraries, museums and sports with quieter hours or adapted programs.
All ages
City of Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation Opportunities
City program
Inclusion support
Adaptive equipment
Fort Collins recreation programs for people with disabilities, plus inclusion support so your child can join any city recreation program.
BCBA note
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Sensory kits
Social story
Discounted admission
Fort Collins museum with sensory kits to borrow at no extra fee, a social story to prepare for the visit, and discounted Ability Pass admission.
BCBA note
Ages 4 and older
Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Horsemanship
Horseback riding
Scholarships
Therapeutic horseback riding and groundwork lessons near Loveland for children and adults, including people with autism.
BCBA note
Special Olympics Colorado, Northeast Region
Sports
Statewide
Special Olympics sports for athletes with intellectual disabilities, with Larimer County in the Northeast Region and a play program for young children.
BCBA note
Dentists, haircuts and everyday care
Appointments that go better when the office already knows autism.
Ages 2 and older
Hearts and Horses Therapy Services
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Occupational and physical therapy that uses horse movement, near Loveland, for children from age 2 and adults, including those with autism.
BCBA note
Respite Care, Inc.
Respite
Day camp
Respite care in Timnath for children with developmental disabilities, with day camp, wilderness camp and field trips, so parents get a break.
BCBA note
SummitStone Child and Family Services, Loveland
Family coaching
Parent break
Medicaid
SummitStone's Loveland team for children and teens who struggle with their feelings, with home visits from a family support coach and a break program for parents.
BCBA note
Transfort Dial-A-Ride
Paratransit
City program
Door-to-door rides in Fort Collins for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular Transfort bus, after an eligibility application.
BCBA note
Help in a crisis
Numbers to keep in your phone for the hard days.
All ages
988 Colorado Mental Health Line
24/7
Call or text
Statewide
Call or text 988 any time for free, confidential support from a trained specialist during an emotional, mental health or substance use crisis.
BCBA note
Foothills Gateway START Crisis Services
Free
IDD crisis support
Free crisis help from Foothills Gateway for Larimer County people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who also have behavioral health needs.
BCBA note
All ages
SummitStone 24/7 Crisis Line and Mobile Response Team
24/7
Mobile crisis
Larimer County
Larimer County's local 24/7 crisis line, and a mobile team that can come to you anywhere in the county during a mental health crisis.
BCBA note
All ages
SummitStone Behavioral Health Urgent Care, Longview Campus
Walk-in
24/7
A walk-in mental health urgent care in Fort Collins, open 24 hours every day, where anyone in Larimer County can get help without an appointment.
BCBA note
NAMI Larimer County
Free
Family support group
Free drop-in support groups and classes for families and friends of people living with mental illness, in Fort Collins and online.
BCBA note
Safe2Tell Colorado
Anonymous
24/7
Statewide
An anonymous 24/7 line where students and families can report threats or worries about someone's safety, run by the Colorado Attorney General's Office.
BCBA note
Teens, adults and community life
Work, independence and places to belong after high school.
Ages 18 and older
CSU Belong Program
Independent living
Young adults
An independent living program in Fort Collins for neurodiverse young adults 18 and older who want to build confidence and skills before and after moving out.
BCBA note
CSU Integrated Employment Services
Job coaching
Supported employment
Job development and job coaching for people with disabilities in Northern Colorado, from Colorado State University's Center for Community Partnerships.
BCBA note
Ages 18 and older
Foothills Gateway Adult Care Services (respite)
Respite
Caregiver break
Short-term respite in a home-like setting for Larimer County adults 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities, so family caregivers get a break.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Poudre School District Project SEARCH
Job training
Internships
A school-to-work program where Poudre School District students with disabilities ages 18 to 21 do three internships at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital.
BCBA note
Ages 15-24
Poudre School District School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP)
Free
Job readiness
A free job readiness program for youth ages 15 to 24 in Poudre School District, run with Colorado's vocational rehabilitation program.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Poudre School District Transition Pathways
School district
Transition
Poudre School District's programs for students with disabilities ages 18 to 21 who are moving toward work, more learning and adult life.
BCBA note
Adults
RAM Scholars at Colorado State University
College program
Inclusive college
A college program at Colorado State University where adults with intellectual disabilities take real CSU courses with support from faculty and peer mentors.
BCBA note
Ages 18 and older
Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver through Foothills Gateway
Medicaid waiver
Adult services
The Medicaid waiver for Larimer County adults 18 and older with an intellectual or developmental disability who live on their own or with family.
BCBA note
Ages 18-21
Thompson School District Transition Services and Project SEARCH
School district
Transition
Job training
Thompson School District's programs for students with disabilities ages 18 to 21, including Project SEARCH internships at Banner McKee Medical Center.
BCBA note
Where to start
Know a place that belongs here? Email the team and we will check it and add it. Suggest a resource →
Questions Fort Collins parents ask
Where do I start if I think my child has autism in Fort Collins?
If your child is under 3, call Early Intervention Colorado at 833-733-3734, which works with Foothills Gateway in Larimer County, and you can make the referral yourself. If your child is 3 to 5, call Child Find at Poudre School District (970-490-3040) or, in Loveland, Thompson School District (970-613-5762). Larimer County's free HCP program can also connect your family with services.
How do I apply for the CES waiver in Larimer County?
Foothills Gateway is Larimer County's case management agency and handles intake for the Children's Extensive Support (CES) Waiver, so email intaketeam@foothillsgateway.org or call 970-226-2345. The waiver is for children under 18 who live at home and need almost constant line-of-sight supervision because of medical or behavioral needs.
How do I apply for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) in Fort Collins?
Apply online through Colorado PEAK, or drop off or mail the state application to Larimer County Human Services at 1501 Blue Spruce Drive in Fort Collins or 200 Peridot Ave. in Loveland. Call 970-498-6300 to check on an application. Alpaca Health verifies Colorado Medicaid and private insurance before the first session.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Fort Collins?
Tell us about your child and we verify your insurance before the first session.
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