County resource guide
Autism Resources in Onondaga County, New York
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Onondaga County. New York statewide resources also apply.
Onondaga County (Syracuse) is home to SUNY Upstate Medical University's pediatric developmental clinic — the primary academic medical resource for central New York. Syracuse City School District and Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES provide special education and autism support. ARISE Child & Family Service supports families navigating the system. OPWDD's regional office serves Onondaga County residents for adult DD services. New York's ABA insurance mandate applies statewide.
Provider directory
Local Providers24 providers in Onondaga County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed for accuracy before publication. To suggest a correction, use the “Suggest a correction” link below.
Diagnostic 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.
Auburn · multi-county
SUNY Upstate Medical University — Cayuga County Referrals
Cayuga County families seeking comprehensive autism evaluations access SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse (45–60 min east), the primary academic medical center for Central New York. The Upstate autism and neurodevelopmental program conducts ADOS-2 evaluations and multidisciplinary assessments. Auburn Community Hospital also provides initial screenings and warm referrals.
Syracuse (SUNY Upstate, ~50 min) is the primary autism evaluation hub for Cayuga County. Call early for the waitlist.
Oneida · multi-county
SUNY Upstate Medical University — Central NY Autism Program (Madison County)
Madison County families access comprehensive autism evaluation through SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse (Onondaga County, ~35–40 min west). Upstate's autism and neurodevelopmental program conducts gold-standard ADOS-2 assessments. Madison County sits between the Syracuse and Utica markets, giving families options in both directions.
Syracuse (SUNY Upstate) is ~35 min west. Utica (Mohawk Valley Health System) is ~30 min northeast — both are accessible from Madison County.
Oswego · multi-county
SUNY Upstate Medical University — Oswego County Families
Oswego County families seeking comprehensive autism evaluations access SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse (45–60 min south), the primary academic medical center for Central New York. Upstate University Hospital — Oswego also provides initial pediatric screening and warm referrals into the Upstate autism and neurodevelopmental program.
SUNY Upstate (Syracuse, ~50 min) is the primary autism evaluation hub for Oswego County. Call early for the waitlist.
Syracuse · multi-county
Upstate University Hospital — Autism and Neurodevelopmental Program
SUNY Upstate Medical University's autism and neurodevelopmental program provides comprehensive evaluations for children across Central New York. The interdisciplinary team conducts gold-standard ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments and has direct referral pathways to Upstate's speech-language, OT, and psychiatry departments. Upstate is the primary academic medical center for the Syracuse region.
Central New York's academic medical center for autism evaluation. Plan for a waiting period.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Syracuse
Onondaga County Early Intervention Program
Onondaga County's official Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children birth to age 3 who show developmental delays or early autism signs. Coordinated through the county Health Department, the program assigns service coordinators who help families navigate evaluations, build an IFSP, and transition to CPSE at age 3.
FREE for eligible children. Don't wait — earlier intervention produces better outcomes.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Auburn · multi-county
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Cayuga County
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Cayuga County with center-based and in-home services. Auburn is the county seat — some families also access Syracuse-area center-based ABA. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Syracuse providers (45–60 min) offer more center-based options.
Oneida · multi-county
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Central NY (Madison County)
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Madison County with center-based and in-home options. Madison County's central location between Syracuse and Utica gives families access to multiple ABA clinics. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Center-based options in Syracuse (~35 min) and Utica (~30 min).
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.
Oswego · multi-county
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Oswego County
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Oswego County with in-home and center-based services. Oswego County's proximity to Syracuse gives families access to the broader CNY ABA provider network. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Syracuse-area providers (45–60 min) offer expanded center-based options.
Syracuse · multi-county
Behavioral Intervention Associates — Syracuse
Onondaga County ABA provider offering BCBA-supervised in-home and center-based therapy for children and adolescents in the Syracuse metro. Individualized treatment plans using both naturalistic teaching and structured ABA. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid for qualifying families.
NY ABA insurance mandate covers commercial plans. NY Medicaid covers ABA therapy.
Speech therapy
Speech-language pathology, AAC, pragmatic language, and feeding.
Syracuse · multi-county
Upstate University Hospital — Speech-Language Pathology (Pediatric)
SUNY Upstate Medical University's pediatric speech-language pathology program serves children with autism-related communication challenges, including minimally verbal children, AAC evaluation, social pragmatic language, and feeding therapy. The academic program provides access to specialized expertise and research-based approaches not available in private practice settings in Central New York.
Academic SLP program — expertise in complex AAC cases. Also explore Syracuse University's Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic for lower-cost services.
Occupational therapy & sensory
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and sensory diets.
Syracuse · multi-county
Upstate University Hospital — Pediatric Occupational Therapy
SUNY Upstate Medical University's occupational therapy program provides sensory integration therapy, fine motor intervention, and daily living skills training for Central New York children with autism. OT services coordinate with Upstate's neurodevelopmental program for integrated care. Accepts Medicaid and most commercial insurance, serving Onondaga County's diverse population.
Coordinated with Upstate's autism and neurodevelopmental program. Medicaid accepted.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Syracuse · multi-county
Autism Society of Central New York
The Central New York chapter of the Autism Society of America serves Onondaga, Madison, and surrounding counties with parent support groups, family events, and connection to local resources. Monthly meetings in Syracuse feature peer support, guest speakers on local topics, and a robust parent mentor program for newly diagnosed families.
Auburn · multi-county
Autism Society of Central New York — Cayuga County
The Central New York Autism Society chapter serves Cayuga County families with parent support groups and resource navigation. Auburn-area families connect to the broader CNY chapter network based in Syracuse.
Utica · multi-county
Autism Society of Central New York — Oneida County
The Central New York Autism Society serves Oneida County families through its broader chapter network, providing parent support groups, family resources, and community connections across the Mohawk Valley region. Meetings in the Utica and Rome areas connect families to the local provider and advocacy landscape.
Oswego · multi-county
Autism Society of Central New York — Oswego County
The Central New York Autism Society chapter serves Oswego County families with parent support groups and resource navigation. Families in Oswego and Fulton connect to the broader CNY chapter network based in Syracuse.
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.
Auburn · multi-county
OPWDD — Central New York DDSO (Cayuga County)
Cayuga County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office in Syracuse. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. Apply for OPWDD eligibility well before your child's 18th birthday.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — services require eligibility first and waiver waitlists exist.
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.
Oswego · multi-county
OPWDD — Central New York DDSO (Oswego County)
Oswego County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office in Syracuse. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — services require eligibility first. Start before age 16 to prepare for adult services.
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.
Oneida · multi-county
Parent Network of Western New York — Madison County
Free IEP coaching, IDEA rights training, and one-on-one parent support for Madison County families through the federally funded PTI. Phone and virtual consultations available for families in Oneida City, Cazenovia, and surrounding communities.
FREE federally funded PTI. Available by phone for all Madison County families.
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Helpful guides
Guides for Onondaga 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.
Communities served
Cities in Onondaga County
Serving families across Onondaga County including Syracuse, Salina, Dewitt, Camillus, Geddes, Lysander, Manlius, Clay, Van Buren and Cicero and more.
See all New York resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in New York.
New York state guide →Nearby counties in New York
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