County resource guide
Yates County, New York
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Yates County. New York statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
11 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Penn Yan
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital — Developmental Referrals (Critical Access)
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in Penn Yan is a Critical Access Hospital serving Yates County, one of New York's smallest and most rural counties. Comprehensive autism evaluations require travel — families typically access Thompson Health in Canandaigua (UR Medicine, ~30 min north) for initial referrals, and then Golisano Children's at URMC in Rochester (~1 hr) for full ADOS-2 assessments. Telehealth evaluation is strongly recommended as a first step.
Thompson Health Canandaigua (UR Medicine, ~30 min) for initial referrals; Golisano Children's Rochester (~1 hr) for full evaluation. Telehealth evaluation is strongly recommended.
Canandaigua · multi-county
Thompson Health — Pediatric Developmental Services
Thompson Health in Canandaigua (part of UR Medicine) provides pediatric services for Ontario County, including developmental screenings and referrals. For comprehensive autism evaluation, families access the University of Rochester Medical Center's Golisano Children's Hospital Strong Center (~45 min west) — the regional academic center for autism in the Finger Lakes.
URMC Golisano Strong Center (~45 min west in Rochester) is the primary autism evaluation resource for Ontario County families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Penn Yan
Yates County Early Intervention Program
Yates County's Early Intervention program provides free evaluations and services for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or early autism signs. As one of New York's smallest counties by population, Yates EI maintains a small, dedicated team of service coordinators familiar with the county's rural geography and the need to draw providers from Canandaigua and the Rochester area.
FREE for eligible children. Small county — EI coordinators often have strong, personalized relationships with local families and providers.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Canandaigua · multi-county
Autism Behavioral Services — Finger Lakes (Ontario County)
BCBA-supervised ABA therapy serving Ontario County with center-based and in-home options through the Finger Lakes region network. Ontario County's proximity to Rochester gives families access to a broader ABA provider market. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid.
NY ABA insurance mandate applies. Rochester (~45 min west) has expanded center-based ABA options.
Penn Yan
Autism Behavioral Services — Finger Lakes (Yates County)
In-home ABA therapy for Yates County families with BCBA-supervised services. Yates County's rural Finger Lakes setting means in-home delivery is the primary model — center-based ABA requires travel to Rochester or Canandaigua. Accepts commercial insurance under New York's ABA mandate and NY Medicaid for eligible children.
In-home ABA is primary for Yates County. Rochester providers (~1 hr north) offer center-based options for families who can travel.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Penn Yan
Autism Society of the Greater Rochester Area — Yates County
The Autism Society of the Greater Rochester Area serves Yates County families through parent support groups, family events, and resource navigation. Penn Yan families are approximately 1 hour south of Rochester — virtual participation is available for those who cannot make the drive to chapter meetings.
Rochester chapter serves Yates County. Virtual participation available for Penn Yan-area families.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Canandaigua · multi-county
Advocacy Center — Finger Lakes Region (Ontario County)
The Advocacy Center provides free IEP support, IDEA rights training, and parent advocacy for Ontario County families. As part of the Finger Lakes regional PTI network connected to URMC, the center maintains strong ties to the Rochester disability services ecosystem.
FREE parent advocacy and IEP support. Connected to Rochester's disability services network.
Penn Yan
Advocacy Center — Finger Lakes Region (Yates County)
The Advocacy Center in Rochester provides free IEP coaching, IDEA rights training, and parent advocacy for Yates County families. As the federally funded PTI for the Finger Lakes region, the center serves Yates County school districts and has connections to the Ontario County and Rochester disability services networks.
FREE PTI services. Yates County falls within the Advocacy Center's Finger Lakes service area.
Rochester · multi-county
Advocacy Center of Tompkins County — Finger Lakes Outreach
The Advocacy Center serves families across the Finger Lakes and Rochester region, providing free support and training for parents navigating special education and disability services. Helps families understand IDEA rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and access community resources. Part of the New York State PTI network.
FREE parent advocacy and IEP support.
Canandaigua · multi-county
OPWDD — Finger Lakes DDSO (Ontario County)
Ontario County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office. OPWDD eligibility is required for day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. The DDSO office serves the Finger Lakes region including Ontario County.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early — waiver waitlists exist in the Finger Lakes region.
Ithaca · multi-county
OPWDD — Finger Lakes DDSO (Tompkins County)
Tompkins County families access OPWDD-funded autism and developmental disability services through the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office. Services include day habilitation, community habilitation, respite, and Medicaid waiver supports. Cornell University students and researchers have also developed community programs for autistic individuals in Ithaca.
Apply for OPWDD eligibility early. Ithaca has Cornell-connected community programs worth exploring.
For providers
Be the first featured provider in Yates County
Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in Yates 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 →