County resource guide
Autism Resources in Franklin County, Ohio
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Franklin County. Ohio statewide resources also apply.
Franklin County (Columbus) is home to Nationwide Children's Hospital — one of the nation's top pediatric programs and an Autism Treatment Network site with a dedicated autism research and clinical center. OCECD (Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities) is Ohio's federally funded PTI providing free IEP advocacy. Ohio requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
Immediate resources
Key contacts for Franklin County
Phone numbers you can call today — no referral needed for most.
Federally funded PTI center serving Ohio families.
School evaluation
Request a School Evaluation
Under IDEA, your school district must evaluate your child for free if you request it in writing. Here’s who to contact in Franklin County:
Columbus City Schools Special Ed
Serves Columbus and surrounding areas in Franklin County.
Contacts verified May 2026 — call to confirm current numbers
Learn how to write your evaluation request →Provider directory
Local Providers32 providers in Franklin County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Franklin County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Columbus
April ABA — Columbus
Expert autism diagnostic evaluations in Columbus using ADOS-2. Led by an on-staff psychiatrist. Evaluations completed in one day.
Source: https://www.aprilaba.com/autism-diagnosis/columbus
Columbus
Empower Behavioral Health
Autism diagnosis, testing, and ABA therapy in Columbus with no waitlist. Full-day autism therapies including ABA, mental health, speech, and OT.
Source: https://empowercenters.com
Columbus
Nationwide Children's Hospital — Autism Center
One of the nation's leading pediatric research and clinical centers. Nationwide Children's Autism Center offers comprehensive evaluations, ABA therapy, behavioral health, and research participation. An Autism Treatment Network site and consistently ranked among the best children's hospitals in the country.
Autism Treatment Network site. National research leader. Expect waitlists — ask about their community-based evaluation options.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Columbus · multi-county
Collective Behavioral Therapy
BCBA-owned and operated in-home ABA therapy in Columbus serving Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Pickaway, Fairfield, and Richland counties.
Source: https://www.collectivebehavioraltherapy.com
Columbus · multi-county
Hopebridge — Columbus
Center-based ABA therapy at multiple Columbus metro locations. BCBA-supervised with multidisciplinary approach integrating speech and OT. Accepts most commercial insurance and Ohio Medicaid.
Ohio requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy.
London · multi-county
Hopebridge — Columbus West
Center-based ABA therapy accessible to Madison County families from west Columbus Hopebridge locations. BCBA-supervised multidisciplinary program accepting commercial insurance and Ohio Medicaid. London families are well within commuting range.
Ohio requires commercial insurance to cover ABA. Columbus locations easily accessible from London.
Lancaster · multi-county
Hopebridge — Lancaster/Fairfield County
Center-based ABA therapy serving Fairfield County families in the Lancaster area. BCBA-supervised with multidisciplinary approach. Accepts most commercial insurance and Ohio Medicaid.
Ohio's ABA insurance mandate covers commercially insured families.
Powell · multi-county
Hopebridge — Powell/Delaware County
Center-based ABA therapy in the Powell area serving Delaware County's rapidly growing suburban communities. BCBA-supervised with multidisciplinary approach. Accepts most commercial insurance and Ohio Medicaid.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
Respite through your County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Ohio runs respite locally: your County Board of DD certifies respite homes and handles enrollment, authorisation and service coordination. All three DODD waivers — Individual Options, Level One and SELF — include respite as a funded service, so if you hold any of them respite should be available to you. County boards also fund some family support respite outside the waivers, which is worth asking about separately.
Two separate questions to ask your county board: what respite your waiver funds, and what family support funds the board itself holds. They are different pots and families are usually told about only the first.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Columbus · multi-county
Autism Society of Ohio — Columbus
Ohio's statewide autism organization with strong Columbus programming. Support groups, resource fairs, family events, and the OhioASD resource directory.
Newark · multi-county
Autism Society of Ohio — Licking County Families
Licking County families connect through the Autism Society of Ohio's statewide network, with access to the OhioASD resource directory, parent support resources, and regional programming across central Ohio.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Marion · multi-county
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Ohio's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for Ohio families. Knows Ohio's specific special education rules and procedures.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Essential before any IEP meeting or dispute.
Marion · multi-county
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Ohio's federally funded PTI headquartered in Marion (Delaware County's neighbor) actively serves Delaware County families. Free IEP advocacy, IDEA rights training, and school district navigation for families in one of Ohio's fastest-growing regions.
FREE. Ohio's federally funded PTI — essential for any IEP meeting or dispute.
Marion · multi-county
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Ohio's federally funded PTI serving Fairfield County families at no cost. Free IEP advocacy, IDEA rights training, and school district navigation for Lancaster City Schools and other Fairfield County districts.
FREE. Ohio's federally funded PTI — essential for navigating IEP meetings and school disputes.
Marion · multi-county
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Ohio's federally funded PTI serving Pickaway County with free IEP coaching, IDEA rights training, and one-on-one family support. Assists families navigating Circleville City Schools and Pickaway County local school districts.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Call before any IEP dispute.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Dublin · multi-county
Ability Matters Ohio
Outdoor and therapeutic recreation and education for children, adults and veterans with disabilities, based in Dublin. Sporting events and camps across skill levels, with adaptive equipment provided.
Columbus · multi-county
Autism Society of Central Ohio
Runs monthly activities aimed at skill development and community inclusion, alongside support groups. Local Autism Society chapters usually know about programs that appear in no directory at all, so they are worth a call even when their own calendar is not the fit.
Warsaw · multi-county
Camp Echoing Hills
36272 County Road 79, Warsaw, OH 43844
A nonprofit camp serving adults as well as children with intellectual and developmental disabilities - one of the relatively few places in Ohio where an autistic adult is squarely in scope rather than an exception.
Perrysville · multi-county
Camp Nuhop
1077 Township Road 2916, Perrysville, OH 44864
A week-long residential summer camp and respite program for children with ADHD, learning disabilities, autism and other neurodivergence. Built around neurodivergent campers specifically rather than disability in general, which usually means staff who have met a child like yours before.
Columbus
Columbus Recreation and Parks - Therapeutic Recreation
The city's therapeutic recreation program, including summer camps for children with and without disabilities together. Municipal programs are consistently the cheapest and nearest option, and consistently missed.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the league finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
Are you a provider serving this county?
Help families find accurate information about your services. Submit your practice for review so parents in this area can better understand their options.
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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Franklin County.
School & special education
Services & benefits
- Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Ohio county-level DD system; handles waiver intake, early intervention, and adult services.
Adult services
- Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Ohio county-level DD system; handles waiver intake, early intervention, and adult services.
Respite & support
- Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Ohio county-level DD system; handles waiver intake, early intervention, and adult services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Franklin 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 Franklin County
Serving families across Franklin County including Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, Grove City, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, Pickerington, Upper Arlington and Worthington and more.
See all Ohio resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Ohio.
Ohio state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Franklin County, Ohio?
We list 20 providers serving Franklin County, covering activities, clubs & recreation, diagnostic clinics, parent & family support, ABA therapy and advocacy & legal, plus 1 more. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Which autism providers in Franklin County accept Medicaid?
4 of the providers we list for Franklin County state that they accept Medicaid, including Hopebridge — Columbus, Hopebridge — Columbus West, Hopebridge — Lancaster/Fairfield County and Hopebridge — Powell/Delaware County. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Franklin County?
ABA providers serving Franklin County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Franklin County?
1 provider serving Franklin County delivers services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
How do I get a free evaluation for a child under 3 in Franklin County?
Contact Columbus City Schools Special Ed, the Early Intervention program serving Franklin County. Under Part C of IDEA you can request an evaluation yourself — you do not need a doctor's referral, and the evaluation is free. Contact details are listed in the key contacts section of this page.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Ohio?
Ohio families can apply to the DODD Individual Options (IO) and SELF Waivers, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is 2–5 years, varying by county board, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in Franklin County?
If none of the Franklin County providers is the right fit, these Ohio counties currently have the most listed providers: Delaware County (17), Licking County (17), Union County (16), Cuyahoga County (15). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in Ohio
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Franklin County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Franklin Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in Franklin County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Franklin County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in Franklin County?
If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving Franklin County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
Add your practice →