Program: Offers a virtual clinic with a team of pediatricians who specialize in helping families navigate autism. Families can visit the website to schedule an online/telehealth diagnostic evaluation to see if their child’s behaviors are best explained by autism or another diagnosis.
Eligibility: Children ages 16 months to 10 years old.
Cost: Accepts Medicaid, AmeriHealth Caritas, Anthem BCBS, Buckeye Health Plan, UHC Community Plan, Aetna, Tricare, Humana, CareSource, private pay, or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. Families can call their office for help advocating for coverage.
Referral: No referral is required, families may visit the website to schedule an appointment.
(866) 219-8595
asyouare.com/state/ohio
Serves: Children, teens, individuals, and families with ID/DD and/or behavioral health challenges.
Provides person-centered care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges. They offer primary care, dental, psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, community-based ABA, care coordination, long-term and temporary residential support, in-home and out-of-home respite services, day programs, and afterschool programs. Family Support Services are provided by the State of Ohio for families who need help keeping their loved one at home. Services vary by location, find details and request an appointment on their website.
(800) 409-2729
iamboundless.org
Program: A peer-based social skills program that teaches children with autism communication and social skills. LEGO Therapy empowers children to take on roles in tasks where they must communicate, problem solve, and collaborate with others through the use of LEGO-based activities. Services are tailored to each participant’s needs and include a parent involvement component. Parents are given a summary of each lesson covered in group sessions, as well as specific ways they can help their child practice and strengthen skills covered during group sessions. Sessions are held at local libraries in Columbus and surrounding suburbs.
Eligibility: Ages 7-13 with autism or social anxiety.
Cost: Offers a sliding fee scale and financial assistance on a case-by-case basis. Families may also consult with their HSA to be reimbursed for services.
Referral: Families may refer themselves.
(614) 706-1390
brickbasedtherapy.com
Serves: Children birth to age 21, parents, families, and adults.
Nonprofit education center serving children with autism and developmental disabilities. Bridgeway Academy utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to provide private school-day education from preschool through high school, life skills training, vocational training, and transition to adulthood support. Bridgeway Therapy Center serves Bridgeway Academy students and outpatient clients for music therapy, speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health, and family partnership services. Clinical staff work with families and professionals to assess, diagnose and develop individualized treatment plans in client-centered therapy sessions. They are a provider of Ohio’s Autism Scholarship Program, Jon Peterson Scholarship, Title XX (20), Medicaid, Level One, I. O. and Self Waiver and some insurances.
1350 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43209
(614) 262-7520
bridgewayohio.org
AAC Center Informational Handout: cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2024/08/AAC-Evaluation-Center-Handout.pdf
Program: In-person and telehealth counseling and coaching services for children, adults, couples, and families. Counseling can address mental health concerns such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, or behavior management. Specializations include Christian counseling, autism, teen counseling, marriage and family counseling, divorce and separation, anger management, play therapy, substance abuse, video game addiction, grief and loss, and sexual abuse recovery. They do not offer Psychiatry.
Eligibility: Ages 3 and older.
Cost: Self-pay only, No government insurance, No private insurance (although patients may choose to bill their insurance company themselves). Some therapists offer sliding scale fees.
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by someone else. Call or go online to request an appointment.
1480 Manning Parkway, Powell, Ohio 43065
(614) 888-9200
directionscounseling.com
Serves: Autism diagnosis and testing for children up to age 4, Children and young adults with an autism diagnosis 2 to 21 years old.
A multidisciplinary outpatient clinic offering services for those with autism and developmental delays. The Autism Intervention Center provides autism diagnosis, testing and full-day autism therapies like occupational therapy, speech, ABA, IEP services, and transition services. Home and community based therapies include case management, mental health treatment, and transportation help.
2540 Billingsley Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 470-2018 or (614) 407-7508
empowercenters.com
Provides resources, tools, and trainings to help individuals and families of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their website has database of programs and organizations across Ohio for helpful products, therapy, schools, legal help, clinical trials, and more. They use Charting the LifeCourse principals to help individuals and families of all abilities and ages develop a vision for a good life, and regular LifeCourse trainings are available for families and professionals.
The Ohio State University Nisonger Center
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Family Resource Coordinator: (614) 293-2134
Family Support Coordinator: (513) 636-4723
frnohio.org
Program: Specialized education and comprehensive support services for students with autism spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioral disorders, and other academic challenges. Services include school day education, case management, speech therapy, occupational therapy, individual and group counseling, anger management, life skills, and transition to adult support.
Eligibility: Ages 6-22 with Autism diagnosis.
Cost: Accepts and assists with applications for Autism and Jon Peterson Scholarship funds. Accepts all commercial insurance and Medicaid for therapeutic services.
Referral: Families may contact the organization directly.
4661 Sawmill Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220
(614) 270-3110
mettleservices.com
Serves: Individuals with autism, families, and professionals
Provides trusted resources to help individuals with autism reach their unique potential. The website Resource Center provides tool kits, recommended reading, and a list of organizations that support youth and adults with autism. The Helpdesk will do the searching for you and is staffed by masters’ level social workers who can connect you to therapies, support groups, funding help, and more. The Milestone Autism Planning (MAP) tool allows you to explore life skill guidelines based on your child’s age or developmental stage. They also provide consultation and training services for professionals. Find program details and fill out their intake forms online.
4853 Galaxy Parkway, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128
(216) 464-7600
milestones.org
Offers inpatient, outpatient, and community-based psychiatry, psychology, and counseling services for youth up to age 21. Treatment areas include mental health crisis, anxiety, ADHD, depression, eating disorders, OCD, ODD, conduct disorders, autism, and psychosis. Use the online Community Behavioral Health Resource Directory to find treatment providers and community resources across Ohio by diagnosis, type of service, organization name, or county.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-8080
nationwidechildrens.org/behavioral-health
Serves: Children 16-30 months for diagnostic screening, Children ages 2-22, Parents, and Families.
Provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care focusing on evidence-based treatment, education, research and advocacy for children with the diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Services include diagnostic assessment, behavioral intervention, outpatient psychotherapy, and ABA team services. Find details about services and eligibility online. They also host the following programs:
187 West Schrock Road, Westerville, Ohio 43081
For an Autism Diagnostic Screening: (614) 355-8080
For all other Autism resources: (614) 355-7570
nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/center-for-autism-spectrum-disorders
Serves: Infants, school-aged children, teens, and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
The Nisonger Center has a variety of programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Services include clinical support services, specialized dental programs, inclusive childcare and early childhood education, social programs for teens, TOPS post-secondary education and transitional skills program for adult students at OSU, psychiatric services, and more. They accept all major insurances, Medicaid, Board of DD Waivers, and offer a sliding scale for payment. Scholarships and fee arrangements are available for some programs. Contact the center for program details and eligibility.
1581 Dodd Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Administration: (614) 685-3192 or (855) 983-9955
nisonger.osu.edu
Ohio Medicaid waivers help eligible customers with disabilities or chronic health conditions pay for healthcare costs and access care at home or in the community rather than a long-term care facility. Covered services may include personal care, transportation, respite services, supported employment, nutrition services, assistive devices, home modifications and interpreter services. Each state has its own waiver program has its own programs with different eligibility requirements, and there is typically a waiting list. Contact your local Board of Developmental Disabilities or Department of Job and Family Services to start the waiver application process.
Job & Family Services Offices: cap4kids.org/columbus/franklin-county-jfs
County Boards of Developmental Disabilities Offices: cap4kids.org/columbus/department-of-developmental-disabilities
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities Service Coordination Department: (614) 464-2743
Franklin County Job and Family Services: (844) 640-6446
Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline: (800) 324-8680
Serves: Single Adults & Families, Youth & Teens
Provides a variety of behavioral health services for adults and families throughout Northern and Central Ohio. Services include psychiatry, respite care, job training, care coordination, foster parent training and support, substance abuse and addiction recovery and more.
General Information: (844) 622-5564
Cuyahoga County Crisis Line: (440) 260-8595
Services: ohioguidestone.org/services
Locations: ohioguidestone.org/locations
Serves: Children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities
Serves individuals with developmental disabilities by building on the foundation of physical activity and life skills (PALS). They offer adult day services, residential services, educational and vocational services, Art Outside the Lines art studio, and psychiatry and mental health services. Age and eligibility requirements vary depending on the service and location. Call for details.
Services: Provides comprehensive psychological evaluations, specializing in Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Giftedness assessments. Provides actionable recommendations for home, school, and other relevant settings. Education consultation services are also available.
Eligibility: Ages 3-21.
Cost: Private pay, does not accept insurance but can provide a Super Bill for reimbursement. Initial fee of $250, followed by $150 per hour. Evaluations typically take 10-15 hours.
Referral: Self-referral.
2700 East Main Street, Bexley, Ohio 43209
(440) 796-0932
passpsychology.com
Behavioral health intervention and treatment services for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Program: Outpatient and inpatient services (home-based and school-based), telehealth, therapeutic preschools and after school programs, residential care, support for foster families, and specialized services for Hispanic/Latino children. Children with an autism diagnosis are eligible for outpatient mental health and play therapies.
Eligibility: Youth ages 3-18 years old, and their families.
Cost: Therapies can be billed to Medicaid and a variety of insurances.
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a physician or organization. Walk-in services (no appointment needed) are available.
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-0731 or (614) 824-5437
svfc.org
Program: Provides mental health counseling to help kids build skills and work through experienced difficulties. Provides comprehensive evaluations to assess diagnostic concerns related to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Giftedness, ADHD, Dyslexia, general learning concerns, Anxiety, Depression, and other Mood disorders.
Eligibility: Youth ages 2-21 in Franklin County and surrounding areas.
Cost: In-network with United Health, Optum, Aetna. Self-pay sliding scale options are available.
Referral: Contact the organization to get started.
132 Northwoods Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43235
(614) 664-3003
warburtonfamilypractice.com