County resource guide
Cortland County, New York
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Cortland County. New York statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
10 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
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.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Cortland
Cortland County Early Intervention Program
Cortland County's Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or early autism signs. Service coordinators build an IFSP and support transition to CPSE at age 3.
FREE for eligible children. Cortland has reasonable EI provider availability given its central location.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
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.
Ithaca · multi-county
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Tompkins County / Ithaca
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Tompkins County with in-home and center-based options in the Ithaca area. Ithaca's university town environment supports a relatively robust therapy provider landscape for rural New York. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Ithaca has better ABA access than many similarly-sized NY communities due to Cornell.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Ithaca · multi-county
Autism Society — Finger Lakes / Ithaca Chapter
The Finger Lakes Autism Society chapter serves Tompkins County and the Ithaca area with parent support groups, family programming, and community connections. Cornell University's community creates a thoughtful environment for autistic adults — the chapter connects families to both local and university-linked resources.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Syracuse · multi-county
OPWDD — Central New York DDSO
New York's Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) operates the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Syracuse. OPWDD-funded services include day programs, residential supports, respite, and family support services for eligible individuals with autism across Onondaga and surrounding counties. OPWDD eligibility is required and must be established before services begin.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — it opens access to Medicaid waiver services. Contact your local DDSO.
Cortland · multi-county
OPWDD — Central New York DDSO (Cortland County)
Cortland County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Central New York DDSO. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — the process takes several months.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility before age 18 to prevent a gap in adult services.
Oneida · multi-county
OPWDD — Central New York DDSO (Madison County)
Madison County families access OPWDD-funded autism services through the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office in Syracuse. OPWDD eligibility is required for day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — services require eligibility first, and the process takes months.
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.
For providers
Be the first featured provider in Cortland County
Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in Cortland County see you first.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it's free →
See all New York resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in New York.
New York state guide →