This resource is a directory of summer day and overnight camps, adult day programs, respite programs, and therapy groups. It is updated every year and is hosted by State Support Team 3 and the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga. The information in this directory is meant to be used as a reference and should not be considered comprehensive or an endorsement of any program or product.

Evidence-based, solution-focused services in educational services to schools and families. They offer academic tutoring, specialized reading programs, summer social skills groups, speech and occupational therapy and psychotherapy. They also offer ADOS autism assessment testing for children ages 7 and up.

They work with students that are pre-school until 12th grade. Their psychotherapists can work with adults as well.

A+ Solutions is a Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarship provider, and accepts private pay.

Rick Schindelheim is on the staff at A+ and counsels tweens and teens.
Other team members that can see patients with autism are Sima Brochie Weinberg, LPCC; Oren Meyers, PhD; Heather Baker, LPPC-S; Lauren Ehrenreich, MSSA LISW-S; Courtney Evenchik MA NCSP; and Jenny Wolinetz, LSW.

Created in 1994, ABC Pediatric Therapy provides speech, physical, and occupational therapy in a child friendly environment.

ABC works directly with Social Security, Ohio Medicaid, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), BCMH (Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps), UHC Children’s Foundation, ARC, Bright Beginnings (formerly Help Me Grow), Building Blocks, PASSS, Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, EI Individual Budget, and Paige’s Princess.

Multiple Locations in the Cincinnati area:
Red Bank
Western Hills
Beavercreek
Miamisburg
Middletown
West Chester

The contact information listed here is for their West Chester office. For other location contact information, visit their website.

A school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade on the West Side in Westlake, Ohio.

They are an alternative public school option, with many local school districts referring and transporting their students to the Achievement Centers. The curriculum is aligned with Ohio’s K-8 Academic Content Standards.

A six-week summer program to complete the 12-month educational and therapeutic focus is included in the yearly tuition.

Support group for families living with autism.

A downloadable guide offering tips, products and strategies to help families keep children safe. Topics include water safety, elopement (running away), fire safety, firearms safety and poison control.

The Autism Society of Ohio is a chapter of the national Autism Society and has it’s 501c3 non-profit status under the umbrella of the national Autism Society.

It is dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism in Ohio through information and referral, family support, advocacy, professional development, raising awareness and resource development.

Offers autism assessment and treatment. They utilize the evidence-based PLAY Project treatment model to support children within the family home. PLAY Project engages parents in supporting their child to build social and emotional skills and reach their full potential.

Ohio Guidestone also offers a variety of individual, group and family counseling options that address many behavioral health needs and concerns. Services are available at outpatient counseling offices, in many local schools or at other sites within the community, including the client’s home.

Link to several locations available for services.

The Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response and Education (AWAARE) Collaboration is a working group of six national non-profit autism organizations whose mission is to prevent autism-related wandering incidents and deaths.

Cruises for adults and families living with Autism, Down Syndrome and other related disabilities. Cruises leave from several different ports, and are on well-known cruise lines such as Royal Carribbean, Carnival, Celebrity and Disney.

The aViation study will test an investigational medicine for ‘high-functioning’ autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The investigational study drug blocks a hormone receptor in the brain that is linked to the control of socialization, stress, anxiety and aggression.

Participation lasts for up to 39 weeks. For 24 of those weeks, participants will take daily doses of either the investigational study drug or a placebo (a look-alike) that contains no medicine. Both the investigational study drug and the placebo are small tablets that can be swallowed whole or dissolved in liquid.

Participants and their parent or guardian will visit a study clinic at OSU in Columbus around once every 6 weeks (about 7 times in total). This will allow the study team to assess their general health, social communication skills and social interaction skills.

Please be reassured that participants would not have to pay for any study-related treatments, lab tests or assessments. Also, reimbursement for travel is available.

Dr. Diana A. Kyrokos serves patients with autism. Besides traditional methods, her team incorporates laser dentistry when applicable. They also offer sedation and anesthesia.

They can provide emergency phone consultation services after working hours and on weekends. They also have a certified therapy dog who, when requested in advance, can assist with a child’s visit.

An online guide for family members to help protect a loved one with autism. This kit offers lots of advice and tools, as well as additional resources.

A kit specifically for First Responders is available here.

Teachers can apply for a specially-designed kit for educators and aides here.

Assists with mediation services to resolve special needs education problems

Available as an aide for home personal care. She is only available for clients near Eastlake.

CCA was formed with the sole purpose of improving the outcome for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. They are committed to offering a variety of programs which address the communication, educational, social and behavioral needs of children with ASD, to assure that they are able to achieve happy, fulfilling lives.

They offer speech, occupational, physical and music therapy, as well as 1:1 ABA therapy. Social skills, academic intervention, and sibling groups are also available.

In addition, the CCA School Program incorporates ABA into their school programming. All programs are offered to students ages 3-21

The Clinic Center encompasses a variety of services for individuals with autism in their state-of-the-art autism facility. It is dedicated to treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, young adults and families dealing with autism spectrum disorders and is uniquely integrated within the healthcare system and housed in the Debra Ann November Wing at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation Campus.

Outreach and consultation services are available for children as young as 3 for initial diagnosis or second-opinion autism evaluations.

Functional behavioral assessments are offered for families to increase a child’s functioning and independence to the fullest extent possible.

The Outpatient Center in Rocky River includes a variety of therapies available on an outpatient basis.

Offers a diagnositic clinic, functional behavior assessments and outreach/consultation. Speech/language assessments are also available.

The Lerner School for Autism serves students from preschool to age 22.

Social SPIES Programs for children with high-functioning Autism/Asperger’s Disorder offers a social skills program in conjunction with a parent training group.

Connecting for Kids is a nonprofit with a mission to provide education and support to families with concerns about their child. They serve families in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties with children younger than 13 years of age.

They have hands-on family training programs, music therapy classes, in addition to several different kinds of family support programs and groups.

Special needs law firm with several national offices, including Cleveland. They specialize in trust and estate planning, special education law, guardianships, and other legal needs, especially low-income assistance.

A one-stop shop for autism spectrum resources and teaching materials. Over 600 products supporting the social, academic and communicative development of children on the autism spectrum through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavior interventions.

Clinical psychologist specializing in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety in children and adults. She focuses on providing evidence-based treatments to children, adolescents, adults, and families, with a specialization in anxiety disorders.

Clients entering this program do a three-hour OT driving evaluation that consists of:

A clinical evaluation consisting of vision, visual perceptual skills, physical ability, reaction time and cognition.
An on-the-road assessment in an adapted vehicle

To be eligible for the evaluation you must…
Be 16 years of age or older
Have a valid driver’s license or temporary permit
Be seizure-free or have a physician’s authorization that the seizures are under medical control
Have a physician’s order for an Occupational Therapy Driving Evaluation

Empowering Epilepsy is a non profit 501c3 public charity organization promoting the empowerment of people with epilepsy and their families. Their mission is to enable people with epilepsy to take charge of their lives. Thus, their goal is to create a caring community based in Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio to help enrich the lives of people who have experienced epilepsy and positively focus on their mind, body and spirit.

They hold monthly support groups in both the Cleveland and Akron areas, conferences and awareness events to bring people with epilepsy together and discover ways to live well with epilepsy. Their main goal is for people with epilepsy to realize that they do not have to go through this alone. There are many others who experience epilepsy and understand the trials and tribulations people with epilepsy have experienced. They want to help you learn what you can do while living with epilepsy and empower your life.

The Family Advisory Council provides an opportunity to exchange information about programs, services, and options available to people who have family members with developmental disabilities. The primary goal for the Council is to use the resulting family network to reach as many families in Ohio, and provide them with information and education.

To become a part of the Family Advisory Council and to get the most updated information and announcements, join their newsletter:
Newsletter signup: Family Connections

Offers behavioral health services to children, adolescents, adults and their families. Their services include applied behavioral analysis (ABA), adult behavioral health, children’s behavioral health, autism services and early childhood services.

Additionally, clinicians travel to homes, schools, foster homes, residential programs, child care programs, adult health settings and shelter programs.

The Ohio office also offers BCBA training and development opportunities.

They have 30 additional office locations throughout Pennsylvania.

CCBDD’s Family Supports Program is administered by the North East Ohio Network (NEON). Interested families will need to contact them to access services and resources available through the program. This program can help supply funding for a variety of supports a family may need, such as:

Incontinence supplies, specialized nutrition, special equipment, therapies and classes, training and conferences, camp assistance, respite care, and home modifications.

The Family Supports Program is only available to persons eligible for CCBDD services who are living at home with a family member. Individuals who live in their own apartment, who are enrolled on a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (Level 1, Individual Options, or Self-Empowered Life Funding), who live in an intermediate care facility (ICF) or who live in foster care are not eligible for services from the Family Supports Program. If you have a Support Administrator, please contact him/her. You may be eligible for similar services.

Counselors work with individuals, couples and families, offering therapy and counseling.

Laura Vajdich, PCC,ATR,CTS is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio and a Registered Art Therapist, in addition to being a Certified Trauma Specialist with The National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children. She specializes in autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, in addition to several other specialties.

Fit Mind accepts most independent insurance, including CareSource.

Offers books, videos, and other teaching material geared to help the needs of teachers, therapists, and family members who face the challenge of autism.

Aimee specializes in special education law.

Online site that features over 1000 adaptive, therapeutic, educational and sensory solutions for the autism spectrum, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder and other learning and behavioral differences.

Offers behavioral counseling along with a wide variety of counseling services. They are located on the west side of Cleveland.

Accepts most insurance plans, with the exception of Anthem, Summacare, Cigna and Medicare.

Additional office locations:
Ohio City Office
3000 Bridge Ave. Suite 4
Cleveland, OH

Rocky River Office
20525 Detroit Rd. Suite 5
Rocky River, OH

This inclusive playground includes areas of water play, structured play, and nature play with swings and slides, a sand pit, and a spray park along with a tree house, stage and a bamboo maze.

Dr. Holmes is a clinical psychologist who performs comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments, behavioral checklists, and behavioral observations. She provides therapy and evaluations to clients throughout the lifespan, but she has an emphasis on children, adolescents and families.

Licensed psychologists working with children, adolescents and adults.

They offer the following services:
15 different social skills groups ages 6-26 (ongoing — join any time)
Alternative Education Program- Perspectives Academy
Advocacy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In home services
Individual, group and family therapy
School Consultation
Testing

Also offers a weekly social club for ages 8-18. Parents can drop off and leave their child for 3 hours. Kids will be divided by age. Reservations preferred by calling the main number listed below.

Note that this resource offers some therapies that are not evidence-based. Milestones only promotes evidence-based therapies, and we encourage anyone who is not familiar with what those therapies are to contact our Helpdesk.

Additional Mentor location: 7200 Center Rd Suite 204, 44060

Insurance is accepted: Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Cleveland Clinic EHP, Humana, Medical Mutual, Sumacare, United Behavioral Health, Oscar. Autism and Jon Peterson scholarship provider.

Individual and family therapy services for teens with social deficiencies related to autism is offered. Counseling services for a variety of other issues, including women’s issues, depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and self-esteem and bullying issues are offered for individuals ages 10 and up.

Assessments and counseling services available to help support children, teens, and adults.

She provides mental health therapy services to Westlake, Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Rocky River, North Ridgeville, and the greater West Cleveland area.

Interested participants are invited to connect in an open support group during monthly sessions. Meetings are held in the evenings and located at the Auburn Technology Learning Center. This group of families and professionals are joining one another to learn, support, encourage and provide helpful resources discussing a variety of topics.

To find upcoming meeting dates, visit the Lake County Autism website or search our calendar of area events.

Adaptive programming available for people with special needs.

Legal Aid’s mission is to secure justice and resolve fundamental problems for those who are low income and vulnerable by providing high quality legal services and working for systemic solutions.

Legal Aid has four offices in Ohio and serves clients in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.

Legal Aid offers intake lines in many other languages besides English:
Spanish dial: 216-586-3190
Arabic dial: 216-586-3191
Mandarin dial: 216-586-3192
French dial: 216-586-3193
Vietnamese dial: 216-586-3194
Russian dial: 216-586-3195
Swahili dial: 216-586-3196
Any other language dial: 888-817-3777

McFadden Bushnell specializes in Special Needs planning and trusts in addition to Elder Law. They can provide legal assistance to special needs clients and their families in protecting assets while retaining eligibility for government benefits.

Their attorneys are licensed in Ohio, Florida, New York and North Carolina.

Milestones Autism Resources improves the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by educating, coaching, and connecting the autism community of Northeast Ohio with evidence-based information.

Milestones focuses on educating and providing life-long, effective strategies for success at school, home, the community, and the workplace. Through the transformative power of education, Milestones is actively assisting parents, professionals, and individuals with autism on their journey and improving their outcomes.

Core services and programs:
· Annual Autism Conference with workshop track designated for parents, family members, and caregivers
· One-on-one consultations at any age, stage, and ability
· Free autism Helpdesk, open 24/7
· Vetted Online Resource Center

If you are interested in a consultation, please fill out an intake form and someone will contact you.

Offers a wide array of programs and services for people with autism and their families, including:

Preschool and Day School for children and adolescents
Transitional education program
Residential treatment for children, adolescents and adults
Summer and extended school year programs
The Soap Shop (a business that offers vocational experience for individuals with autism)
VizZle (visual language technology)
An online autism resource center developed in partnership with the Women’s General Hospital Fund of the Cleveland Foundation.

A website/mobile app that can teach children the rewards of earning money for chores and jobs determined by parents. The site can link to bank savings accounts for savings, and amazon.com for spending, once the child has earned the appropriate number of points.

Mental health and substance abuse services to individuals of all ages. The staff is a multi-disciplinary team with additional training in a variety of different areas, including ADHD, OCD, depression, and social anxiety. They are open 7 days a week.

They have weekly group meetings for teens (13-17) on life skills, and a social skills group for children aged 9-12.

NLA is a preferred mental health and chemical dependency provider for most insurance plans, managed care, and employee assistance programs (EAPs).

Additional locations:
Aurora: 199 S. Chillicothe Road, Suite 206, Aurora, OH
Cleveland Heights: 2460 Fairmount Blvd, Suite 211, Cleveland Hts, OH

Includes guides, webcasts, workshops and information on services throughout the autism journey, from diagnosis to adulthood.

A comprehensive multimedia lending library that is free and open to anyone who registers.

Psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists, some of whom specialize in working with people with developmental disabilities.

Accepts Medicare and CareSource insurance plans.

Christina Ren, LISW is a team member who specializes in autism spectrum disorders.
Carol Gee, PhD has specialized training in evaluation and long-term therapy for autistic spectrum disorders and bipolar disorder.

Peak Potential Therapy provides speech therapy, ABA therapy, educational tutoring services, dance/movement classes and a variety of day camps to children with special needs or disabilities in Northeast Ohio. They believe in a family-focused approach and support your child through fun and meaningful activities.

Additionally, they offer a resource and toy lending library and academic tutoring.

Children of all ages are able to participate in several therapeutic and recreational camp options. These camps provide a safe, comfortable setting for your child to practice important social skills, maintain a routine through breaks from school, and have fun with friends.

Their variety of group dance and movement classes are for a variety of ages, from toddlers through adult, and taught by a master’s level intern in dance/movement therapy.

Works with children and adolescents ages 2-adult. She will service clients throughout Northeast Ohio. Services offered include school consulting, ABA consulting and therapy, academic and behavior intervention, parent training, and workshops.

A Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship provider. Accepts Medicaid insurance and CareSource.

The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, Autism, and other related conditions or disorders.

PLI is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that bridges the technological gap for “at risk” populations and public safety agencies. They provide police, fire/rescue and other first responders with a comprehensive program on the use of specialized electronic search and rescue equipment, technology and procedures, as well as teaching rescuers how to effectively communicate with people afflicted with cognitive conditions, all of which are essential to a successful rescue.

Pediatric Hepatologist/Gastronenterologist

Sees patients at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus and Fairview Medical Center.

They provide scholarships to families of children with special needs for recreation programming in northeast Ohio. Scholarships are provided to individuals with special needs of all ages and ability levels. Examples of programming that can be covered: horseback riding, dance classes, social skills classes, camps, sports classes, adapted aquatics, aquatic therapy, and recreation therapy programming.

The organization also organizes family recreation events (such as sporting events) and free introductory recreation classes for children with special needs.

Welcoming Christian church services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their friends, family and other supports.

Services are held in two different locations in the Cleveland Area:
1st Saturday of each month, 5:30pm:
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church — Hudson

3rd Saturday of each month, 5:30 pm:
First United Methodist Church – Cuyahoga Falls

Overall Program Brochure

RISE is a support group that encourages and supports family members living with a loved one with a disability. They enourage learning from each other and from experts, and offers spiritual inspiration and practical tools to use at home.

Childcare is provided at support group meetings, with a suggested donation of $1 per child.

A parent, teacher, and school supply company dedicated to providing parents and educators with the lowest possible prices on products that will actually help children grow and develop.

The Children’s Theatre offers sensory-friendly performances, intended for individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as people with other developmental or cognitive disabilities who may benefit and their families.

Main Stage Address: The Taft Theatre, 5th & Sycamore Streets, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Chuck E. Cheese’s now offers a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month. Their trained and caring staff is there to make sure each guest has a fun filled visit.

The Sensory Sensitive Sundays experience includes:
1. Less crowding and noise
2. Dimmed lighting
3. Show and music turned off or down
4. Limited appearances by Chuck E.
5. Food and games are offered

Visit their website for locations and other information.

The clinic is designed to help siblings talk about the realities of life with a sibling who has a disability. During their individual visits, the child or adolescent will work to address concerns at home, along with developing coping skills & practice stress reduction techniques that will not only benefit the child, but the family as a whole.

Accepts most insurance.

Siblings of Autism has a long-term goal of helping to develop programs to connect and support siblings of individuals on the spectrum via shared experiences, peer group support, and funding for professional counseling.

The non-profit also distributes scholarships for education and other defined needs for those that have a sibling on the spectrum as well as a goal to offer respite programs for siblings and other family members.

Special needs financial planning

Milestones has worked with
Brian Marino: brianmarino@financialguide.com
Ken Vinikoff: kvinikoff@financialguide.com

Dr. Stein has 20 years of medical and psychiatric experience and a lifetime of understanding obesity. In 2011, Dr. Stein was selected as one of the Crain’s Cleveland 2011 Healthcare Heroes. She is the author of award-winning “Obese From The Heart” (2009), and the recipient of the 2010 Kaiser Permanente Humanitarian Award for Community Service for her work with Obesity Clinic.

Coordinates Aide services for Easter Seals

Services available online and by private appointment to support and improve the lives of children and families who are struggling with sensory challenges.

Services are available for parents, educators, therapists, clinics and schools. Online site offers products available for purchase.

Offers vision therapy for patients at any age with diagnoses including:

ADD/ADHD
Dyslexia
Sensory processing disorder
Autism
Developmental delays and learning disabilities
Crossed eyes or lazy eye

North Royalton (440) 230-0923 | 10139 Royalton Rd Suite D, North Royalton, OH 44133
Beachwood (440) 230-0923 | 23611 Chagrin Blvd, Suite 385, Beachwood, OH 44122

UDS serves individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities – from the mildest to the most severe. They are committed to offering high-quality options to help fulfill social, vocational, community living, low vision and transportation needs.

In addition there is a Toy & Resource Center for parents of children with special needs and a program with sports programs sanctioned by the Special Olympics.

The Connecting for Kids wandering safety kit is designed to help your family begin its conversation about wandering and how best to prepare for it.

Wandering safety kits are available at no cost to Connecting for Kids families, while supplies last. Kits include:

GE door/window alarms (2-pack)
Write-on ID bracelet
Four laminated stop sign visuals
S.T.O.P. Wandering quick guide
Limit one kit per family, while supplies last.

Wood Lane Adult Services provides access to meaningful employment, therapeutic programs, and activities to support the achievement of personal goals and promote healthy lifestyles. It is recognized on a national basis by CARF, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, for providing quality services to individuals served.

A list of various guides and reading materials available that can help people with autism adapt to religious services, including:

Social stories for children about attending religious services
Advice of different strategies for families
A video tour of the mass experience
Articles relating autism and the religious experience

The list also includes resources for religious leaders on inclusion for members with autism and their families.