Home Start here Start here Not sure where to begin? Pick the situation that sounds most like yours. Each one has a few simple next steps, using resources already on AutismHub and official sources.
Take a breath. You don't have to do everything at once. These are good first steps for Summit County families.
Read our plain-language first-steps guide: First steps after an autism diagnosis Ask about free help for children under 3 (early intervention): Summit County Early Intervention (Help Me Grow) Contact the county board for services and eligibility: Summit DD Intake/Eligibility Connect with the local autism society: Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) Learn about the Ohio Autism Scholarship: How to apply for the Ohio Autism Scholarship Not sure who to call? Free helpers: Need help finding something? Back to top
Whether you're seeking a medical diagnosis or a school evaluation, these pages explain the options and who to call. Ask each provider about ages, insurance and wait times.
Read our evaluation guide: Autism evaluation and diagnosis Under age 3? Start with early intervention: Summit County Early Intervention (Help Me Grow) Children's hospital autism clinic: Akron Children's Autism Diagnostic Clinic Children and adults, no referral needed: REACH Behavioral Health - Autism Evaluations (Akron/Springfield office) Adults 18+: Calibrations Counseling & Consultation - Adult Autism Assessments University of Akron students: University of Akron Counseling & Testing Center - ASD Assessment All evaluation providers: Diagnosis & Evaluation (7 listings) Ohio's official school evaluation roadmap (PDF): Evaluation roadmap for families (PDF) – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (opens in new tab) Back to top
Funding can come from several places. These pages explain the main programs; always confirm eligibility with the program itself.
How the Ohio Autism Scholarship works: How to apply for the Ohio Autism Scholarship Approved scholarship providers near you: Ohio Autism Scholarship Providers (34 listings) Find insurance-related help: Ohio Autism Insurance Coalition - Find Providers Ohio Medicaid (official): Medicaid – Ohio Benefits (opens in new tab) OhioRISE (official): OhioRISE – Ohio Department of Medicaid (opens in new tab) Ohio waiver waiting list (official): Ohio's Waiver Waiting List – Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (opens in new tab) Back to top
You have rights in the special education process. These resources can help you prepare and ask good questions.
Read our Ohio IEP and special education rights guide: Ohio IEP and special education rights Schools and programs: Schools & Programs (3 listings) Twinsburg parent mentor program: Twinsburg City Schools Parent Mentor Program Solon parent education network: Solon Schools OPEN (Organized Parent Education Network) Disability Rights Ohio: special education (official): Special Education – Disability Rights Ohio (opens in new tab) OCECD parent training and information (official): Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (opens in new tab) Back to top
Quiet hours, sensory-friendly events, adaptive sports and inclusive places to play. Details below come from each venue, and schedules change, so check with the venue before you go.
This month's sensory-friendly events: Sensory-friendly events (November 2026) Monthly trampoline park sensory hours: Urban Air Akron - Sensory Hours Inclusive playground, open daily: Hudson DREAM Inclusive Playground Adaptive recreation for youth and adults: Cuyahoga Falls AdaptAble Recreation Inclusive library storytimes: Barberton Public Library Inclusive Storytimes Adaptive baseball: Miracle League of Northeast Ohio Sports training and competition: Special Olympics Ohio Zoo sensory supports: Akron Zoo Sensory Accessibility / Zoothing Hours Inclusive sensory kids gym: We Rock the Spectrum - Stow Adaptive swim and water safety: Swim & Water Safety (2 listings) Sensory-friendly haircuts and dentists: Haircuts & Dental (Sensory-Friendly) (3 listings) All sensory-friendly places and programs: Sensory-Friendly Activities (16 listings) Back to top
Planning for adulthood can feel like a lot. These steps cover work, day programs, benefits, decision-making and social connection. Coverage is still growing.
Read our teens and adults guide: Support for teens and adults Job help and transition services for students 14 and up: OOD Transition Services for Students (Pre-ETS) Vocational rehabilitation for adults: OOD Vocational Rehabilitation (Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities) Job training and transition programs: Transition & Job Training (3 listings) Day programs and adult services: Adult Services & Employment (4 listings) Benefits: Supplemental Security Income: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Social Security Alternatives to guardianship: Ohio DODD Supported Decision-Making Toolkit Adult autism assessment: Calibrations Counseling & Consultation - Adult Autism Assessments Self-advocacy group: Summit County People First Self-Advocacy Group Teen social club (ages 13–17): ASGA Teen Social Club Adult social club (18+): ASGA Adult Social Club Short-term respite for families of youth 11–17: Shelter Care Respite Care Program All respite options: Respite Care (3 listings) Social skills groups: Social Skills Groups (5 listings) Services across the lifespan: Lifeworks Autism Services (formerly Milestones resources) Coverage here is thin. We still have few options for independent living, adult respite and autistic-led groups. If you know a local program, please tell us .
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Caring for yourself matters too. These groups connect you with other parents who understand.
Find a support group near you: Support group finder Monthly virtual caregiver group: ASGA Caregiver Virtual Support Group Parent meetings: ASPIES Greater Akron All support groups and nonprofits: Support Groups & Nonprofits (11 listings) Take a break: respite care: Respite Care (3 listings) Free help finding services: Need help finding something? First steps after a diagnosis: First steps after an autism diagnosis Back to top
