Autism Resources in Broome County, New York

Delhi · multi-county

Bassett Healthcare Network — Delaware County

Bassett Healthcare Network provides medical services across Delaware County through affiliate practices and O'Connor Hospital in Delhi. For comprehensive autism evaluation, families are referred to Bassett's main campus in Cooperstown (~45 min) or to Binghamton-area specialists through UHS (~1 hr). Bassett's care coordination team can help families navigate the referral process.

Cooperstown (Bassett main campus, ~45 min) or Binghamton (UHS, ~1 hr) are primary evaluation options for Delaware County families.

Cortland · multi-county

Cortland Regional Medical Center — Developmental Referrals

Cortland Regional Medical Center is the primary hospital for Cortland County. Developmental pediatric concerns are screened and referred to SUNY Upstate in Syracuse (40 min north) or UHS Binghamton (30 min south) for comprehensive autism evaluations. Cortland County's central location gives families two strong academic referral options.

Both SUNY Upstate (Syracuse, 40 min) and UHS Binghamton (30 min) are accessible. Contact both simultaneously to compare waitlists.

Norwich · multi-county

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals

Chenango Memorial Hospital, part of the United Health Services system in Norwich, provides primary care and referrals for Chenango County families. Comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to SUNY Upstate in Syracuse (1.5 hours) or UHS Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton (1 hour). Telehealth evaluation options are an important alternative for rural Chenango families.

Rural county. SUNY Upstate (Syracuse, 1.5 hrs) or UHS Binghamton (1 hr) for full evaluation. Telehealth is a strong option.

Owego · multi-county

UHS Tioga (Guthrie Health) — Developmental Referrals

Tioga County families access developmental pediatric services through the UHS / Guthrie Health network, with full autism evaluations referred to UHS Binghamton (30 min east) or Golisano Children's in Rochester (1.5 hours north). Owego, the county seat, is a short drive from Binghamton's stronger specialist network.

UHS Binghamton (30 min east) is the primary autism evaluation destination for Tioga County families.

Binghamton · multi-county

United Health Services (UHS) — Developmental Pediatrics

United Health Services, the primary health system for Broome and surrounding South Central New York counties, provides developmental pediatrics consultations and autism screenings through its Wilson Medical Center and affiliated practices. UHS works with Binghamton University and regional specialists for comprehensive evaluations and connects families to CPSE and OPWDD services.

South Central NY's primary health system. For full autism evaluation, may refer to SUNY Upstate (Syracuse) or regional specialists.

Binghamton

Broome County Early Intervention Program

Broome County's Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or autism signs. The county Health Department assigns service coordinators who build an IFSP with the family and support transition to CPSE at age 3. Broome County has an established EI provider network in the Binghamton area.

FREE for eligible children. Contact the Health Department — referrals accepted from pediatricians or parents.

Binghamton · multi-county

Behavioral Intervention Associates — Binghamton

BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Broome County and the Binghamton metro with center-based and in-home services. Individualized treatment plans using naturalistic and structured ABA strategies. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid, serving Broome County's diverse population including Medicaid-enrolled families.

NY ABA insurance mandate applies. NY Medicaid covers ABA for eligible children.

Norwich · multi-county

Behavioral Intervention Associates — Chenango County

ABA therapy serving Chenango County families with in-home BCBA-supervised services. Chenango County is rural and underserved — in-home delivery is the primary model, and telehealth ABA components help extend services. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.

Rural county. In-home ABA is primary. Telehealth supplement strongly recommended given limited local options.

Cortland · multi-county

Behavioral Intervention Associates — Cortland County

BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Cortland County families with in-home and center-based options. Cortland's central location between Syracuse and Binghamton gives families access to ABA providers in both metro areas. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.

NY ABA mandate applies. Both Syracuse and Binghamton area ABA providers serve Cortland County.

Delhi · multi-county

Behavioral Intervention Associates — Southern Tier (Delaware County)

In-home ABA therapy for Delaware County families through the Southern Tier network. Delaware County's rural geography makes in-home ABA the primary delivery model — center-based options require significant travel to Binghamton or Oneonta. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.

In-home ABA is primary for Delaware County. Binghamton (~1 hr) has center-based options.

Owego · multi-county

Behavioral Intervention Associates — Tioga County

BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Tioga County with in-home and community-based services. Owego's proximity to Binghamton gives families access to the broader Southern Tier ABA network. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.

NY ABA mandate applies. Binghamton providers (30 min east) are well-accessible for Tioga County families.

Statewide · multi-county

OPWDD respite services — via the Front Door

New York funds respite in the home or out of it, during the day, in the evening or overnight, including cover when a family member is ill or a regular carer is on leave. Access runs through your regional OPWDD Front Door office rather than through providers directly. NY Connects is a single intake line that screens you for OPWDD alongside several other programs in one call.

Start with the OPWDD Front Door for your region. Ask about both in-home and out-of-home respite — families are often told about only one.

~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.

Delhi · multi-county

OPWDD — Broome DDSO (Delaware County)

Delaware County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office in Binghamton. OPWDD eligibility is required. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports.

Start OPWDD eligibility early. Delaware County families should contact Broome DDSO for service planning.

Owego · multi-county

OPWDD — Broome DDSO (Tioga County)

Tioga County families access OPWDD-funded services through the Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — the process takes time and waiver services have waitlists.

Binghamton · multi-county

OPWDD — Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office

The Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office coordinates OPWDD-funded services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in Broome and surrounding counties. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. The local DDSO helps families understand OPWDD eligibility and navigate service planning.

Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — services require eligibility determination first, which takes time.

Norwich · multi-county

OPWDD — Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office (Chenango)

Chenango County families access OPWDD-funded services through the Broome DDSO, which serves the South Central New York region including Chenango, Broome, Tioga, and Delaware counties. OPWDD services include day habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. Rural Chenango families should apply for OPWDD eligibility early.

Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — services require eligibility first. Rural area has limited service capacity.

Norwich · multi-county

Parent Network of Western New York — Chenango County

Federally funded PTI center providing free IEP coaching and IDEA rights support for Chenango County families. Phone and virtual consultations are the primary access mode for this rural county. Helpful for navigating small rural school districts in Norwich, Sherburne, and surrounding communities.

FREE PTI services by phone and video. Essential for rural families with limited local advocacy resources.

Cortland · multi-county

Parent Network of Western New York — Cortland County

Federally funded PTI providing free IEP coaching and IDEA rights support for Cortland County families. Phone and virtual consultations available. Cortland's location between Syracuse and Binghamton gives families access to advocacy resources in both metro areas.

FREE PTI services by phone and video.

Binghamton · multi-county

Parent Network of Western New York — Southern Tier Outreach

The federally funded Parent Training and Information center provides free IEP support, IDEA rights training, and advocacy coaching for Broome County families. The Southern Tier is part of the PTI's upstate New York service area. Phone and virtual consultations are available for Binghamton area families facing school disputes or service denials.

FREE federally funded PTI. Available by phone for all Broome County families.

Owego · multi-county

Parent Network of Western New York — Tioga County

Federally funded PTI providing free IEP coaching and IDEA rights support for Tioga County families. Phone and virtual consultations available for families in Owego, Newark Valley, and surrounding Tioga communities.

FREE federally funded PTI. Virtual access is available for all Tioga County families.

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.