Just Got an Autism Diagnosis in Summit County? First Steps for Families

Informational only. It is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Rules and amounts change, so confirm details with the agency or provider named before you act.

A new diagnosis can bring a lot of questions at once. Here are the main public programs Summit County families can contact, what each one does, and how to reach them. You don't have to do everything at once. Pick the steps that fit your child's age and needs.

1. If your child is under 3: Early Intervention (Help Me Grow)

Ohio Early Intervention (EI) serves families of children from birth to age 3 who have developmental delays or disabilities. Anyone can make a referral by calling 1-800-755-4769 or using the online referral form. The state says it won't cost anything to see if your child is eligible. (Ohio Department of Children and Youth)

In Summit County, Summit DD provides EI services at no cost to eligible families, with a primary service provider who works with you at home or in the community. Summit DD notes that eligibility starts with Ohio Early Intervention, including for children who have just been diagnosed with autism. (Summit DD)

EI teams work with families to make an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). (Help Me Grow) See our listing for Summit County Early Intervention (Help Me Grow).

2. Ages 3 and up: ask your school district for an evaluation

Your local public school district is responsible for evaluating children who may need special education, including preschoolers. A parent can request an initial evaluation. Under Ohio rules, the district must, within 30 days of the request, either get your consent to evaluate or give you written notice that it won't evaluate. The evaluation must be done within 60 days after you give consent. (OAC 3301-51-06)

If your child qualifies, the district develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The district must get your written consent before the first evaluation and before starting IEP services. (Parent Rights in Special Education) DEW's evaluation roadmap explains the steps.

Tip: put your request in writing and keep a copy. Contact your district's special education office to find out where to send it.

A school IEP (or an Autism Education Plan based on a private diagnosis) is also the path to the Ohio Autism Scholarship.

3. Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD)

Summit DD serves eligible Summit County residents of all ages. Anyone can make a referral, and Summit DD gets consent from the parent or guardian to start the eligibility process. (Summit DD)

• Birth–age 2: referrals go through Help Me Grow Early Intervention (see step 1).
• Ages 3–5: children may be eligible if they have an IEP through the local school district.
• Ages 6–15: eligibility is based on a documented lifelong developmental disability and significant limitations in at least three areas of the state's Children's Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (COEDI).

To start, call Summit DD Intake and Eligibility at 330-634-8676 or use their online form. (Summit DD) See our listings for Summit DD and Summit DD Intake/Eligibility.

4. Medicaid and Medicaid waivers

Ohio Medicaid covers eligible children and people with disabilities. You can apply online at ssp.benefits.ohio.gov, through the Summit County Job and Family Services office, or by phone at 844-640-6446. (Ohio Benefits)

Ohio also has Medicaid waivers for people with developmental disabilities. To be considered, ask your county board of developmental disabilities (Summit DD) for a Waiting List Assessment. The board must schedule the interview within 15 days of your request and decide within 45 days after the interview whether you qualify for the waiting list. (Ohio DODD)

5. OhioRISE (for complex behavioral health needs)

OhioRISE is a specialized Ohio Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multi-system needs. It provides a care coordinator. (Ohio Medicaid)

Children and youth may be eligible if they are eligible for Ohio Medicaid, are 0–20 at enrollment, and show a need for behavioral health treatment through the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment. An autism diagnosis by itself doesn't determine OhioRISE eligibility; the CANS does. (OhioRISE for families; OAC 5160-59-02) Questions: OhioRISE@medicaid.ohio.gov.

6. Private insurance: Ohio's autism coverage law

Ohio law requires certain individual and group health insurance policies issued in Ohio to cover screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. For covered children under 14, minimums include 20 visits per year each for speech and occupational therapy, 20 hours per week of clinical therapeutic intervention (such as ABA), and 30 visits per year for certain mental or behavioral health outpatient services. (ORC 3923.84)

The law has important limits: it does not apply to every plan type (for example, it excludes non-grandfathered individual and small-group plans and several limited-benefit policies), and coverage can require prior authorization and a prescription from a qualifying professional. Many employer plans are also governed by federal law. Check with your insurer or HR department to find out whether your plan follows this law. (ORC 3923.84)

7. Find local services

When you're ready to look for therapy or support, browse the directory: speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills groups, ABA therapy, support groups & nonprofits, county & state resources, and our neutral overview of therapy and support approaches. Or start with your town: Akron, Hudson, Stow, Twinsburg, Cuyahoga Falls, Solon.

Sources

1. Ohio Early Intervention – Ohio Department of Children and Youth
2. Help Me Grow – Ohio Department of Children and Youth
3. Help Me Grow online referral form
4. Early Intervention – Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board
5. Eligibility & Intake – Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board
6. Ohio Administrative Code 3301-51-06 – Evaluations
7. A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education (PDF) – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
8. Evaluation roadmap for families (PDF) – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
9. Medicaid – Ohio Benefits
10. Ohio's Waiver Waiting List – Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
11. OhioRISE – Ohio Department of Medicaid
12. OhioRISE Resources for Youth and Families – Ohio Department of Medicaid
13. Ohio Administrative Code 5160-59-02 – OhioRISE eligibility and enrollment
14. Ohio Revised Code 3923.84 – Coverage for autism spectrum disorder

Last reviewed Oct 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us or email info@autismhub.me.