Local resources in Rochester
Ordered by review count, then name. Providers cannot pay to be listed, ranked, or edited.
13 resources in Rochester
1. A Better Way ABA — Rochester
An in-home-only ABA network, based in the New York City area, that also lists Rochester, NY as a service area. In-home-only delivery means there is no centre to visit in person.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
2. Autism Learning Partners — Rochester
A Rochester ABA centre that also works in family homes. Its own page names Medicaid among the plans it takes, which is not something every ABA provider states.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
3. AutismUp
The main autism non-profit in the Rochester area, running recreation and fitness sessions rather than therapy hours, plus a summer camp where children are supported by coaches rather than separated out.
Ages Ages 3 and up
4. Caravel Autism Health — Rochester
An ABA clinic where sessions normally happen at the clinic. Its own page is explicit that home-based therapy is the exception rather than a standing option, which is worth knowing before you plan around it.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
5. Double Care ABA — Rochester
An in-home ABA provider covering specific Rochester, NY neighbourhoods as part of a wider New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania network.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
6. Empower ABA — Rochester
A Rochester, NY ABA provider offering a choice of in-home, centre or virtual sessions and stating that it accepts Medicaid. The flexibility of delivery format comes with being part of a larger multi-city network rather than a single local clinic.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
7. Golisano Children's Hospital — diagnostic evaluations
A developmental evaluation for children where a developmental disability is suspected, carried out by a developmental paediatrician, clinical psychologist or paediatric nurse practitioner. The evaluation looks at possible causes of the child's developmental delay and ends with a written report that can be shared with the child's school and primary care provider.
Ages Children and young people
8. Levine Autism Clinic
The Levine Autism Clinic diagnoses autism spectrum disorder and provides ongoing medical and behavioural care for autistic children and teens, including support for distressed behaviour and feeding difficulties. A family navigator also connects families with mentors, community organisations and information about school and other systems, with a Spanish-language line available.
Ages Children and young people
9. Living Soul of New York Applied Behavior Analysis, PLLC
A woman-owned, Rochester, NY-based ABA practice that also covers Buffalo and Albany. Being locally owned comes with fewer locations than a national provider.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
10. Proud Moments ABA — Rochester / Pittsford
A centre in Pittsford rather than in the city itself, with a programme aimed at communication, social skills and everyday living skills.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
11. Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders gives community education, training and information about autism spectrum disorder to families and professionals across Monroe County and eleven other counties. It runs educator training, parent and educator programmes, an annual conference, and an information-and-referral service that helps families and professionals find local resources.
Ages Families of autistic children and young people
12. Strides ABA — Rochester
An in-home ABA and early intervention provider (stridesaba.com) covering Rochester and Monroe County. Note this is a distinct company from the similarly named Stride Autism Centers — check the URL rather than the name.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
13. TruNorth Autism Services
A Rochester, NY-based ABA provider positioning itself as a local, independent alternative to the larger national chains also active in the city.
Ages Ages not published in the sources we saw — ask when you call
The short answer for Rochester
- Under 3: call the Monroe County Department of Public Health's Early Intervention line at 585-753-5437 (585-753-KIDS). No diagnosis is required to start.
- 3 and up: put your evaluation request in writing to your child's school. Rochester City School District and its neighbors must evaluate at no cost under state Child Find law.
- For a medical diagnosis, URMC's Levine Autism Clinic and the Andrew J. Kirch Developmental Services Center both operate out of 200 East River Road — call 585-275-2986 for either.
- Longer-term disability supports run through OPWDD's Western New York & Finger Lakes regional office at 716-517-2010, or the statewide Infoline at 866-946-9733.
Rochester families reach New York's Early Intervention Program through the Monroe County Department of Public Health, school evaluation through their district's Child Find duty, and — unusually for a city this size — two well-documented hospital-based autism clinics through the University of Rochester Medical Center.
This page lists the phone numbers, URLs, and publicly stated details behind each of those, plus the state OPWDD region that handles longer-term disability supports.
Statewide programs, numbers, and rights are on the New York page. This page adds the local entry points that are specific to Rochester (Monroe County).
Early intervention under 3: New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) — Monroe County
Early Intervention in New York is administered locally, and in Monroe County that role belongs to the Department of Public Health. A parent, doctor, or child care provider can call the intake line directly; staff follow up to learn more about a child's needs, and no diagnosis is required to begin. State regulation (10 NYCRR §69-4.11) requires the Individualized Family Service Plan to be completed within 45 days of referral, with services starting within 30 days of a parent's signature. The evaluation and plan carry no cost to the family.
- New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) — Monroe County
- Referral phone: 585-753-5437
New to early intervention? Read the plain-language guide first.
School districts and special education
New York school districts carry a Child Find duty to identify and evaluate children with a suspected disability from birth through 21 at no cost to families. Begin with a written request to your child's school; under 8 NYCRR §200.4, the district has 60 calendar days from your written consent to complete the initial evaluation.
- Rochester City School District — Department of Special Education, 585-262-8220, 131 West Broad Street
- Greece Central School District — main district line 585-966-2000, serving the Rochester suburbs of Greece and North Greece
Evaluation and diagnosis pathways in Rochester
These are hospital and university programs with public intake information. Listing here is informational — it is not a recommendation, and it is not medical advice. Public school evaluation is free and does not require any of these.
- Levine Autism Clinic (University of Rochester Medical Center) — standardized autism diagnostic assessment, developmental monitoring, treatment for behavior challenges tied to ASD, feeding support, and family navigation; the clinic is a designated Autism Speaks Autism Care Network site · 585-275-2986
- Andrew J. Kirch Developmental Services Center (URMC) — developmental-disability evaluation and ongoing care, co-located with the Levine Autism Clinic at 200 East River Road · 585-275-2986
Disability services and waivers: NYS OPWDD — Western New York & Finger Lakes region
OPWDD, New York's developmental-disability agency, groups Monroe County into its Western New York & Finger Lakes region. The statewide Infoline (866-946-9733) will transfer you to your regional Front Door, or you can call the region directly. From there, families go through eligibility determination, a needs evaluation, and Care Manager-led service planning, including Medicaid's Home and Community Based Services Waiver for those who pursue it. No diagnosis is required to start the conversation.
- NYS OPWDD — Western New York & Finger Lakes region
- Phone: 716-517-2010 (Western New York & Finger Lakes region) · 866-946-9733 (statewide Infoline)
Local organizations that help Rochester families
- The Arc of Monroe — 585-271-0660; local chapter providing services and family support across Monroe County
- 211 LIFE LINE (Finger Lakes) — 1-877-356-9211; free referral line covering Monroe and five neighboring counties
- Proud Moments ABA — Rochester-Pittsford — 585-498-1840; ABA therapy provider serving the Rochester area
- Special Olympics New York — Genesee Region — 585-586-7400; covers Monroe County and the surrounding Genesee region
Documented waits and access notes
Wait times change. Each note below links to the public source it came from — confirm current status directly with the program.
- Rochester City School District's CSE has to do more than approve an IEP on paper — 8 NYCRR §200.4 requires services to be arranged within 60 school days of consent, or 30 school days from the recommendation for an approved private placement. (source)
- New York places no ceiling on age or lifetime dollars for autism coverage, but the mandate itself limits reimbursed ABA to 680 hours per insured child each year. (source)
Paying for support in Rochester
Commercial health plans regulated by New York State must cover autism diagnosis and treatment, including ABA, under Insurance Law §§3216, 3221, and 4303 — a mandate that does not extend to self-funded employer plans. Monroe County families on Medicaid can reach ABA through a Medicaid-enrolled Licensed Behavior Analyst once a diagnosis is confirmed.
Nothing here is a recommendation — we list what exists, note what a provider says about itself, and let parents tell you the rest.
Common questions from Rochester parents
Sources
- [1]Monroe County Department of Public Health — Early Intervention. Open source
- [2]NYS DOH — county-by-county Early Intervention Official contact list. Open source
- [3]10 NYCRR §69-4.11 — Individualized Family Service Plan timelines. Open source
- [4]8 NYCRR §200.4 — special education evaluation and IEP timelines. Open source
- [5]Rochester City School District — Department of Special Education. Open source
- [6]Greece Central School District — Special Education. Open source
- [7]URMC — Levine Autism Clinic. Open source
- [8]URMC — Andrew J. Kirch Developmental Services Center. Open source
- [9]OPWDD — Contact Us (regional office numbers). Open source
- [10]The Arc of Monroe. Open source
- [11]211 LIFE LINE. Open source
- [12]Special Olympics New York — Genesee Region. Open source
Last checked 2026-08-11. Programs and links change — confirm with the agency before relying on any detail. This page is information, not legal or medical advice.