Niagara County, New York

Buffalo · multi-county

John R. Oishei Children's Hospital — Autism Evaluation Clinic

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.

Lockport

Mount St. Mary's Hospital — Developmental Referrals

Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston serves Niagara County's healthcare needs, with John R. Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo (~30 min south) providing comprehensive autism evaluations for the region. Niagara County's Buffalo metro proximity gives families reliable access to one of western New York's strongest pediatric autism evaluation programs. TRICARE-eligible families at nearby military installations should confirm ABA network coverage.

Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo (~30 min south) is the primary autism evaluation center. Tuscarora Nation members may access tribal health services with different referral pathways.

Lockport

Niagara County Early Intervention Program

Niagara County's Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or early autism signs. Administered by the county Health Department in Lockport, EI service coordinators build an IFSP and support transition to CPSE at age 3. The county's urban core (Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda) and rural townships are all served.

FREE for eligible children. Niagara County EI has access to the full WNY provider network.

Lockport

BlueSprig Pediatrics — Western New York (Niagara County)

Center-based and in-home ABA therapy serving Niagara County through the Buffalo metro network. Niagara Falls, Lockport, and North Tonawanda families can access WNY's robust ABA provider ecosystem. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid for eligible children. Tuscarora Nation families may have additional tribal health funding options.

NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Buffalo metro providers (~30 min south) offer the broadest ABA options. Tuscarora Nation families: check tribal health benefits for additional coverage.

Buffalo · multi-county

Spectrum Behavioral Services — Buffalo

BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Erie County and the Buffalo metro area with center-based and in-home services. Uses evidence-based naturalistic teaching strategies tailored to each child's developmental profile. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and coordinates with local school districts and CPSE.

New York ABA insurance mandate applies.

Buffalo · multi-county

Autism Society of Western New York

The Western New York chapter of the Autism Society of America provides peer support groups for parents, social programming for autistic individuals, community events, and local resource navigation across Erie County and the Buffalo region. Regular meetings in Buffalo and suburban Erie County locations.

Lockport

Autism Society of Western New York — Niagara County

The Autism Society of Western New York serves Niagara County families with parent support groups, family programming, and resource navigation. As part of the Buffalo metro network, Niagara County families have strong connections to the WNY autism support community including programming in Lockport and Niagara Falls.

Niagara County families are a core part of the WNY autism support community. Chapter meets in the Buffalo metro area.

Buffalo · multi-county

OPWDD — Western New York DDSO (Chautauqua)

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.

Buffalo · multi-county

Parent Network of Western New York

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.

Lockport

Parent Network of Western New York — Niagara County

The federally funded Parent Training and Information center based in Buffalo directly serves Niagara County families with free IEP coaching, IDEA rights workshops, and parent support. Niagara County is a core service area for Parent Network WNY — families can attend Buffalo-area workshops or access support by phone and video.

FREE federally funded PTI. Niagara County is a core service area for Parent Network WNY.