Autism Resources in Chautauqua County, New York
12 providers in Jamestown, Buffalo, Mayville and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Chautauqua County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Chautauqua County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
UPMC Chautauqua (WCA Hospital) — Developmental Pediatrics
Jamestown, NY · serves several counties
UPMC Chautauqua (formerly WCA Hospital) in Jamestown is the primary hospital for Chautauqua County and provides developmental pediatrics referrals. Comprehensive autism evaluations require referral to John R. Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo (1 hour) or UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for western Chautauqua families. Telehealth evaluation options are increasingly available.
Comprehensive autism evaluation typically requires travel to Buffalo (Oishei Children's Hospital, 1 hr). Telehealth increasingly available.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Chautauqua County Early Intervention Program
Mayville, NY
Chautauqua 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 coordinates EI across Jamestown, Dunkirk, and rural Chautauqua County communities. Service coordinators build the IFSP and support transition to CPSE at age 3.
FREE for eligible children. Rural county — in-home EI services are common due to distances.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Spectrum Behavioral Services — Western NY (Chautauqua)
Jamestown, NY · serves several counties
Chautauqua County families seeking ABA therapy are served through western New York providers that offer in-home services. Spectrum Behavioral Services extends from the Buffalo area to Chautauqua County for in-home BCBA-supervised ABA. Commercial insurance coverage applies under New York's ABA mandate; NY Medicaid covers ABA for eligible children.
In-home ABA is primary in rural Chautauqua County. Travel time may affect scheduling.
Advocacy & legal
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
OPWDD — Western New York DDSO (Chautauqua)
Buffalo, NY · serves several counties
Chautauqua County families access OPWDD-funded services through the Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office. OPWDD services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite care, and Medicaid waiver supports. The WNY DDSO has a field office serving Chautauqua County and can guide families through the eligibility process.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — services require eligibility first and waiver waitlists exist.
Parent Network of Western New York — Chautauqua County
Jamestown, NY · serves several counties
The federally funded Parent Training and Information center for western New York directly serves Chautauqua County families. The Parent Network WNY is based in Buffalo and has long-standing outreach to Chautauqua County, providing free IEP coaching, IDEA rights workshops, and one-on-one parent support for navigating the Jamestown-area school districts.
FREE federally funded PTI. Chautauqua County is within the WNY PTI's core service area.
Also serving Chautauqua County
These 19 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Chautauqua 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
2 providersFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
John R. Oishei Children's Hospital — Autism Evaluation Clinic
Buffalo, NY · serves several counties
Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo is western New York's primary pediatric medical center, housing a dedicated autism evaluation clinic with developmental pediatricians and neuropsychologists. The clinic performs comprehensive autism spectrum assessments including ADOS-2 and cognitive testing, and coordinates closely with the regional CPSE system and University at Buffalo's autism programs.
Western New York's top children's hospital. Long waits — get on the list early.
Olean General Hospital (Kaleida Health) — Developmental Referrals
Olean, NY · serves several counties
Olean General Hospital in Cattaraugus County provides primary care and developmental screening referrals. Comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to John R. Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo (1.5 hours north) or, for some southern county families, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Telehealth evaluation options are important for this rural county.
For full autism evaluation, Oishei Children's Hospital (Buffalo, 1.5 hrs) is the primary referral site. Telehealth evaluation is a strong alternative.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Spectrum Behavioral Services — Cattaraugus County
Olean, NY · serves several counties
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Cattaraugus County families through in-home and center-based services. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid. Rural setting means in-home delivery is primary; some families travel to Olean or Buffalo for center-based options.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. In-home ABA is primary in rural Cattaraugus County.
Respite care
2 providersRespite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
ARCH National Respite Locator
Searchable by state, NY
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, NY
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
4 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
OPWDD — Western New York DDSO (Allegany County)
Wellsville, NY · serves several counties
Allegany County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Western New York DDSO. Services include community habilitation, day programs, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. Allegany County is rural — some services require travel. Apply for OPWDD eligibility early.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility well before age 18. Rural location means some services require travel.
OPWDD — Western New York DDSO (Cattaraugus County)
Olean, NY · serves several counties
Cattaraugus County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Western New York DDSO. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. The Seneca Nation of Indians, based in Cattaraugus County, has its own tribal health services that may complement OPWDD.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early. Seneca Nation members: also contact Seneca Nation Health System for complementary tribal services.
Parent Network of Western New York
Buffalo, NY · serves several counties
The Parent Network of Western New York is the federally funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) center for upstate New York families, including Erie County. Provides free workshops, one-on-one parent support, IEP preparation assistance, and training on IDEA rights. Serves families of children with any disability from birth through age 26.
FREE federally funded PTI. Call for free IEP coaching and parent training.
Parent Network of Western New York — Cattaraugus County
Olean, NY · serves several counties
The federally funded Parent Training and Information center serves Cattaraugus County as part of the WNY region. Free IEP coaching, IDEA rights training, and one-on-one support for families in Olean, Salamanca, Ellicottville, and rural Cattaraugus communities.
FREE federally funded PTI. Phone and virtual access for rural Cattaraugus families.
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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, NY
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 Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County (Jamestown, Dunkirk, Mayville) is western New York's southernmost county, bordering Pennsylvania and Lake Erie, served by UPMC Chautauqua for local healthcare. Families requiring specialized autism evaluations travel to Buffalo's Oishei Children's Hospital. Jamestown City School District and other county districts provide special education. OPWDD's Western New York regional office coordinates adult DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Chautauqua 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 New York resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in New York.
New York state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Chautauqua County, New York?
We list 12 providers serving Chautauqua County, covering early intervention (0–3), diagnostic clinics, advocacy & legal and ABA therapy. 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 Chautauqua County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Chautauqua County state that they accept Medicaid, including Spectrum Behavioral Services — Cattaraugus County. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Chautauqua County?
ABA providers serving Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Chautauqua County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Chautauqua County?
3 providers serving Chautauqua County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in New York?
New York families can apply to the OPWDD Home and Community Based Services Waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Eligibility itself takes months; service waits vary by region, 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 Chautauqua County?
If none of the Chautauqua County providers is the right fit, these New York counties currently have the most listed providers: Queens County (26), Kings County (25), Saratoga County (24), Albany County (23). 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 New York
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Chautauqua County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua 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.
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