Autism Resources in Chemung County, New York
10 providers in Elmira and nearby, plus 12 national programs. Waitlists change often, so it’s worth calling a few.
0 providers in Chemung County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Based in Chemung County
Diagnostic clinics
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Arnot Health (Guthrie) — Developmental Pediatrics
Elmira, NY · serves several counties
Arnot Health in Elmira, part of the Guthrie Health network, is the primary hospital for Chemung County. Developmental pediatric screenings and referrals are available for autism concerns. Elmira is the largest Southern Tier city outside of Binghamton, and families have access to Golisano Children's in Rochester (1.5 hours) and Corning Hospital (30 min west) for expanded specialty options.
Elmira is a regional Southern Tier hub. For comprehensive evaluation, Golisano Children's in Rochester (1.5 hrs) is the primary referral site.
Early Intervention (0–3)
1 providerFree services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Chemung County Early Intervention Program
Elmira, NY
Chemung County's Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or autism signs. Coordinated through the county Health Department in Elmira, EI service coordinators build an IFSP and support the family's transition to CPSE at age 3.
FREE for eligible children. Elmira's size supports a reasonable EI provider network.
ABA therapy
1 providerApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Elmira / Chemung County
Elmira, NY · serves several counties
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Chemung County families with center-based and in-home options in Elmira. As the Southern Tier's second-largest city, Elmira has better ABA provider access than surrounding rural counties. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Elmira is the primary ABA hub for the Southern Tier west of Binghamton.
Advocacy & legal
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
OPWDD — Western New York DDSO (Chemung County)
Elmira, NY · serves several counties
Chemung 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. Elmira's location makes the WNY DDSO accessible for Chemung County families.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility before age 18. Elmira families have better OPWDD service access than surrounding rural counties.
Parent Network of Western New York — Chemung County / Elmira
Elmira, NY · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI providing free IEP coaching and IDEA rights support for Chemung County families. The Parent Network WNY directly serves the Southern Tier, including Elmira and Chemung County school districts. Phone and in-person consultations available.
FREE PTI services. Chemung County is within WNY PTI's core service region.
Also serving Chemung County
These 17 are based elsewhere, or operate nationally, and list Chemung 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
1 providerFormal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Corning Hospital (Guthrie Health) — Developmental Referrals
Corning, NY · serves several counties
Corning Hospital, part of the Guthrie Health system, is the primary hospital for the Corning area of Steuben County. Developmental pediatric screenings and referrals are available for autism concerns. Comprehensive evaluations are referred to Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester (1.5 hours north) or SUNY Upstate in Syracuse. Guthrie's telehealth network also offers evaluation access.
For comprehensive autism evaluation, Golisano Children's in Rochester (1.5 hrs) is the primary academic referral site.
ABA therapy
2 providersApplied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Steuben County
Corning, NY · serves several counties
ABA therapy for Steuben County families with BCBA-supervised in-home services. Steuben County is rural — in-home delivery is primary. Some families access Chemung County (Elmira) or Monroe County (Rochester) center-based ABA. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
In-home ABA is primary in rural Steuben. Elmira (Chemung County) and Rochester have more center options.
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Tioga County
Owego, NY · serves several counties
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.
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
2 providersLegal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
OPWDD — Western New York DDSO (Steuben County)
Corning, NY · serves several counties
Steuben County accesses OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office. OPWDD services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. Rural Steuben County families should begin the OPWDD eligibility process early.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early. Rural location — some services require travel to larger communities.
Parent Network of Western New York — Steuben County / Southern Tier
Corning, NY · serves several counties
Federally funded PTI center providing free IEP coaching and IDEA rights support for Steuben County and Southern Tier families. The Parent Network WNY directly serves this region and has established relationships with Steuben County school districts. Phone and virtual consultations available for all families.
FREE PTI. Southern Tier is within the WNY PTI's core service region.
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.
Read the guideFor providers
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About autism services in Chemung County
Chemung County (Elmira, Horseheads, Southport) is the Southern Tier's western hub served by Arnot Health — Elmira's regional healthcare system including St. Joseph's Hospital. Families requiring specialized autism evaluations access Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester or SUNY Upstate in Syracuse. Elmira City School District provides special education, and South Central Regional BOCES coordinates cooperative programs. OPWDD regional services and New York's ABA mandate apply statewide.
Helpful guides
Guides for Chemung 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 Chemung County, New York?
We list 10 providers serving Chemung County, covering diagnostic clinics, ABA therapy, early intervention (0–3) and advocacy & legal. 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 Chemung County accept Medicaid?
3 of the providers we list for Chemung County state that they accept Medicaid, including Behavioral Intervention Associates — Elmira / Chemung County, Behavioral Intervention Associates — Steuben County and Behavioral Intervention Associates — Tioga County. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Chemung County?
ABA providers serving Chemung 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 Chemung County families?
Yes — 2 providers serving Chemung 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 Chemung County?
3 providers serving Chemung 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 Chemung County?
If none of the Chemung 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 Chemung County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Chemung 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 Chemung County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Chemung 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 Chemung 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.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving Chemung County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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