Onondaga County, New York

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.