Missouri Autism Resources for Families

Finding the right resources for a child with autism can feel overwhelming, especially when you're navigating a new diagnosis, exploring therapy options, or trying to understand insurance coverage.

At Latitude Therapy, we believe families deserve access to clear, reliable information and meaningful support throughout their journey.

Whether you're just getting started or looking for additional support, we're here to help you find your next step.

Autism evaluations and diagnosis resources

If you have questions about your child's development or suspect they may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental evaluation can help identify their individual strengths, needs, and appropriate support options.

Latitude Therapy: autism evaluations

Latitude Therapy offers ADOS-2 autism assessment services by referral. Our team can help families understand the evaluation process and explore available services following an assessment.

Additional evaluation resources

• Washington University Autism Clinical Center: Provides specialized autism evaluations and clinical services.
• Mercy Kids Autism Center: Offers autism-related diagnostic and clinical services.
• Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon: Provides developmental evaluation and specialty services.
• Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment: Offers diagnostic services, education, and autism-related resources in Missouri.

Families can also speak with their pediatrician about developmental screening and appropriate referrals.

Grants and funding: where to start

What grants help Missouri autism families?

Three local sources pay for therapy, camps or equipment.

Need ABA now? Latitude accepts MO HealthNet, the DMH Missouri Medicaid DD waiver and major insurance at our Bridgeton ABA center and St. Peters ABA center.

What changed in 2026

• New wait list. Since October 15, 2026, new enrollment in the Comprehensive, Community Support and Partnership for Hope waivers goes on a wait list. DMH says there is "no estimated end date."
• The Lopez waiver is not affected. DMH: the MOCDD waiver "will continue to be managed as usual."

How do you start with DMH?

Make a referral to the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Anyone can refer, by phone or the DDD Online Referral platform. Intake calls back within one business day.

1. Referral
2. Application packet. Return it within two months, or the referral stops.
3. Records request: First Steps enrollment, IEP, psychological evaluations, adaptive behavior and genetic or neurological testing.
4. Missouri Adaptive Ability Scale (MAAS) assessment
5. Eligibility decision. An intellectual disability must begin before age 18, a developmental disability before age 22.

Who pays for respite and equipment?

• County boards: St. Louis City's DD Resources funds in-home respite. St. Louis County's Productive Living Board funds family support.
• Waivers: the Community Support waiver lists respite and a personal assistant among its waiver services; MOCDD lists assistive technology. Mind the new wait lists.
• Equipment: the Arya Foundation, up to $1,000 per child a year.

Missouri's developmental disabilities waiver programs

DMH runs four Medicaid waiver programs for home and community based services. All list ABA as a service. Each needs MO HealthNet eligibility.

DMH offers wait-listed slots by priority of need, then date added, as the state budget allows.

The Sarah Jian Lopez (MOCDD) waiver

It gives a child Medicaid based on the child's own income, not yours. DMH: "parental income and resources are not counted."

• Who: under 18, living at home, and found by DMH to meet an ICF/ID level of care.
• Income: the child's gross monthly income at or below the HCB standard, $1,690 in the state's January 2025 table.
• Slots: 416 statewide. Children found eligible go on a wait list; slots go quarterly to the most critical unmet needs.
• Apply: call your regional office and ask for Intake Eligibility, or email MOCDDS@dmh.mo.gov. The Family Support Division also reviews medical records to find your child disabled.
• ABA: the waiver brings a MO HealthNet card, and MO HealthNet pays for ABA when a child has an autism diagnosis.

County boards (Senate Bill 40)

Each county has a local tax-funded board. Most fund agencies, so you reach the money through a funded program or case management.

Does MO HealthNet cover ABA?

Yes, for children under 21, through the Medicaid state plan. A physician or psychologist must diagnose autism spectrum disorder and recommend ABA as medically necessary.

Apply through the Family Support Division (855-373-4636). Income limits are on the state's Benefit Program Income Limits page, and CHIP premiums on a chart updated each July. Dropping private insurance no longer triggers a wait, but a child in the premium group with affordable insurance on offer is not eligible.

Does private insurance cover ABA in Missouri?

Usually, yes. Missouri law requires plans issued or renewed since January 1, 2020 to cover autism treatment, including ABA ordered by a physician or psychologist.

• ABA has a $40,000 yearly limit through age 18, adjusted for inflation. Plans can approve more when it is medically necessary.
• Deductibles and copays cannot be higher than for other physical care.
• Some self-funded employer plans are exempt under federal law.

Free help finding services

• UCP Heartland Services Navigation, one-on-one help: (314) 994-1600
• FACT family support partners who have raised a child with a disability: (636) 949-2425
• United Services for Children, therapy and early intervention in St. Charles: 636-926-2700
• St. Louis Arc, early intervention to age 5 and family services: 314-569-2211
• MPACT, free parent training on special education: 800.743.7634

How Latitude helps you pay

• We check your coverage before services: Aetna, Ambetter, BCBS of Illinois, Carelon, CHAMPVA, Cigna, MO HealthNet, the DMH Missouri Medicaid DD waiver, WellFirst/Medica, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, or private pay.
• Free parent training for families with a DMH ID in Jefferson and St. Charles counties: 17 one-hour sessions with a BCBA. See The Empowered Parent.
• No diagnosis yet? Latitude offers ADOS-2 testing by referral.

Call intake at 314-410-9670.