This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Queens County, New York. You'll find 21 local resources listed here, alongside New York statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, New York's starting point is New York's early intervention program; for school-age children, special education and IEPs run through your local school district. Confirm details directly with each provider.
Diagnosis & Early Intervention
Getting an evaluation and accessing early services.
Free CDC milestone checklists and a Milestone Tracker app help you follow your child's development from 2 months to 5 years, so you know what to watch for and when to act. A gentle first step when you're unsure whether to seek an evaluation.
Not sure how to reach your local free early intervention program? This CDC page lists the direct contact for every state, including New York, so you can quickly find who to call to get your child evaluated. Publicly funded evaluations are free or low-cost for any eligible child.
This free CDC program helps you track your child's development from 2 months to 5 years with a milestone checklist app, so you know what to look for and what to do if something worries you. It's a gentle, reassuring first step when you're not sure whether to seek an evaluation.
Part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, this clinic provides standardized autism diagnostic evaluations and coordinated, ongoing care from developmental-behavioral pediatricians. Family navigators can also help you understand next steps after a diagnosis.
A collaborative program of NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell, and Columbia in White Plains offering comprehensive, evidence-based autism diagnostic evaluations. If your child is age 3 or younger, call and select option 1 to ask about getting started.
New York State's Early Intervention Program provides services for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities, at no cost to families. Each county runs its own intake, contact your county program to begin the evaluation process.
A nonprofit in Queens Village with a state-approved preschool evaluation program and day treatment center for young children showing developmental, language, or autistic-like challenges. They serve local families and ask that you call ahead to arrange a visit or evaluation.
New York City's free program evaluates babies and toddlers under 3 for developmental delays and, if they qualify, arranges therapies right in your home or community. Any parent in Brooklyn can start the process, no diagnosis or insurance needed.
New York City's free, publicly funded program gives any Queens child under age 3 a no-cost developmental evaluation to check for autism or delays, with services delivered right in your home. There are no copays or fees, and you start simply by calling 311 and asking for Early Intervention.
A specialized university team providing in-depth autism diagnostic evaluations for children and teens, serving families across NYC including Brooklyn. Helpful when you want an expert second look or a detailed assessment.
QSAC is a long-established autism nonprofit with early childhood and evaluation centers right in Queens (Douglaston and Whitestone), offering evaluations and Early Intervention for children from birth to age 5. Their team specializes in autism and can walk you through what your child needs next.
School & IEP Rights
IEPs, 504 plans, special education, and school advocacy.
Every state has a federally funded Parent Training & Information Center offering free help with IEPs, special-education rights, and early intervention. This hub's directory locates the center that serves your state.
A national nonprofit protecting the rights of students with disabilities. Use their member directory to find a special-education attorney or trained advocate near you when you need help with an IEP or a dispute with a school.
Every state has a federally mandated Protection & Advocacy agency that offers free legal help when a school isn't following your child's IEP or evaluating them as required. This directory connects you to the office serving your area.
AFC leads New York's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center and offers free workshops, know-your-rights resources, and case advocacy to help you get the school services your child needs. Their education helpline can talk you through IEP problems in English or Spanish.
DRNY is New York's federally designated protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal and advocacy help to children and adults with disabilities, including special education disputes. If your child is being denied services or you need someone in your corner, this is a good first call.
Every part of New York is covered by a free, federally funded Parent Training and Information Center that helps you understand your child's rights and participate in their education from birth to age 26. Use this map to find and connect with the center serving your area.
The state's special education division oversees all public school programs. Regional Associates are assigned to specific school districts and serve as a resource to parents when disputes arise. Can be contacted directly when IEP disagreements escalate.
New York's official special education office explains your child's rights, the IEP process, and your options if you disagree with the school, including free mediation and formal complaints. Start here for the state's plain-language Parent's Guide and Procedural Safeguards Notice.
This is the New York State Education Department office that oversees special education for Queens community school districts (24–30). If your school district isn't following your child's IEP or the law, this state unit can look into it and help point you toward next steps.
A federally funded Parent Training and Information Center serving all five boroughs, including Brooklyn, for families of children with disabilities. They offer free one-on-one advocacy plus workshops on the IEP process, your rights, and how to work with your child's school.
Therapy & Treatment
ABA, speech, OT, and finding the right providers.
You matter too. Psychology Today's therapist finder filters for 'caregiver stress' and 'autism family,' and Open Path Collective offers reduced-cost therapy sessions nationwide. You cannot support your child well without also supporting yourself.
Free, personalized help finding ABA, speech, occupational therapy, and other autism providers near you. Trained specialists can answer your questions by phone and point you to local services, and the online Resource Guide lets you search by location.
A plain-language New York State guide that walks you step-by-step through finding out if your child is eligible for developmental disability services. It links you to the tools and phone support you need to get started.
This is New York State's official starting point for autism and developmental disability services. Call the Information Line and they will connect you to your local Front Door office to check eligibility and set up supports like therapy, care management, and clinical services.
New York State's developmental disabilities agency explains the autism supports it funds, including Applied Behavior Analysis, speech and occupational therapy, social skills groups, and daily living skills. A helpful overview when you are figuring out what kinds of therapy your child may qualify for.
A pediatric therapy provider serving all five boroughs, including Queens, with ABA, speech, occupational, physical, and special-education services for children from infancy to age 21, in more than 30 languages. Helpful if you need in-home or center-based therapy and want in-network insurance options.
A long-established New York autism nonprofit with an Astoria center that provides autism evaluations, ABA-based services, counseling, respite, and parent training. A good local starting point if your child needs an evaluation or ongoing autism support close to home.
Financial Assistance & Benefits
Medicaid waivers, SSI, ABLE accounts, and legal aid.
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities (onset before age 26) save money tax-free without losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. This center compares every state's ABLE program so you can pick the best one for your family.
Tax-advantaged savings accounts for New Yorkers with disabilities diagnosed before age 26. Funds can be used for education, housing, transportation, health and wellness, without affecting Medicaid or SSI eligibility. An underused resource families consistently wish they'd known about sooner.
New York's Children's Waiver brings six older Medicaid waivers (including the former Bridges to Health) into one program of Home and Community Based Services for kids under 21 with developmental disabilities, serious emotional/behavioral needs, or medical fragility. It can cover respite, community habilitation, care coordination, and family services so your child can thrive at home.
New York's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver, administered by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, funds respite care, community habilitation, supported employment, and more. Apply through the OPWDD 'Front Door' process. Waitlists exist, apply early.
New York's Office for People With Developmental Disabilities runs the Medicaid waiver that funds respite, day services, and in-home supports for children and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities. Start with OPWDD's Front Door to find out if your family qualifies and to begin the application.
This OPWDD page walks you through how Medicaid pays for most developmental-disability services in New York, from care coordination to the children's waiver and residential supports. It's a good first stop to understand what financial help is available before you apply.
SSI provides monthly cash payments to children with disabilities, including autism, in families with limited income and resources. Call Social Security to make an appointment and apply, and know that approved benefits can go back to the date you first applied.
NYC's official guide to applying for Medicaid, the free health coverage that pays for doctor visits, therapies, mental health care, and prescriptions many autism and developmental-disability services rely on. It has a dedicated line for people with disabilities.
New York State's plain-language walkthrough for applying to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance, including the program for children who meet the disability definition. It explains eligibility, benefit amounts, and how to file.
NYLAG offers free advice and representation when SSI or Social Security disability benefits are wrongfully denied or cut off, including hearings before a judge. A steady advocate in your corner if a benefit decision goes the wrong way.
This free legal help office in Jamaica, Queens assists families with SSI, Social Security Disability, and Medicaid problems, including denials and terminations. Staff speak many languages and there is no charge for their help.
Support Groups & Community
Find your people, in person and online.
The nation's oldest grassroots autism organization. Their National Helpline connects families to information and referrals, and their affiliate finder points you to a local chapter in your area for in-person support and events.
The largest national community-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters offer advocacy, family support, and lifelong services. Use the chapter finder to locate the office nearest you.
Dial 2-1-1 (or visit 211.org) to reach a free, confidential referral line for local health and human services in almost every US community, including disability services, respite, food, housing, and financial assistance.
The nation's oldest autism organization connects you to real people who can point you toward support groups, services, and local affiliates near you. Reach an Information & Referral Specialist by phone or email whenever you need a place to start.
New York's state agency for people with developmental disabilities helps families caring for a relative at home, connecting you to respite, family support groups, and local advocacy networks. Call the Front Door line to get started and find services near you.
A statewide network that connects you with other NY parents who care for a child with a developmental disability or special healthcare need, so you never have to navigate the system alone. Trained volunteers and staff offer one-to-one support, training, and help finding services.
Free, year-round sports, recreation, and community for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across all of New York State. It's a joyful way to build friendships, confidence, and connection for your whole family at no cost.
Jewel serves families in Queens and Brooklyn with in-home, after-school, and school-holiday respite, plus support groups and parent-to-parent networking. Their recreation programs give kids fun outings while giving caregivers a real break.
Founded by five Queens families in 1999, NYFAC is a neighborhood nonprofit offering in-home and site-based respite, community habilitation, and family support for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities. It's a warm, family-run place to connect with others who get it.
A long-established NYC autism nonprofit with programs in Flushing, Queens, QSAC provides person-centered services for children and adults plus training and support for their families. A dependable place to find structured, evidence-based help close to home.
A Queens nonprofit since 1950, QCP serves more than 1,500 families a year with family support services, including reimbursement for respite, recreation, and needed equipment. Their case managers can also help you pursue OPWDD eligibility if you're just getting started.
Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A neurodivergent employment agency offering job support nationwide over Zoom: resume building, mock interviews, and career guidance, plus direct outreach to employers to help secure placements. Supports neurodivergent individuals roughly ages 16 to 50, and has been in business over 15 years.
This long-running New York nonprofit sets up and manages special needs and pooled trusts so your loved one can hold money without losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. They serve families in every county of the state and can help you plan for your child's financial future.
Once your child ages out of school services, OPWDD is the primary pathway to adult supports: day habilitation, supported employment, residential options, and community integration. Apply via the Front Door process before age 18, the earlier you engage, the better positioned you are.
If your adult child wants to work or stay active in the community, OPWDD funds programs like Pathway to Employment, Supported Employment, and day habilitation. Ask your Care Manager which of these fits your family's goals.
When your child is aging into adulthood, the state's Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is the starting point for eligibility, care coordination, and adult day, employment, and residential supports. Call the statewide line or reach out to your regional Front Door office to begin the process.
This state guide walks you through moving your teen from school services to adult supports, ideally starting before age 15 as part of the IEP so services are ready when your child needs them. It includes a school transition toolkit, consent forms, and next steps to connect with OPWDD.
Planning for your child's financial future without disqualifying them from public benefits requires a Special Needs Trust. The Special Needs Alliance and Academy of Special Needs Planners both maintain directories of New York attorneys who specialize in this, often the single most important legal document a family of a disabled adult can create.
New York State's vocational rehabilitation agency helps adults with autism and disabilities train for, find, and keep a job. The Queens office can guide your young adult through job coaching, supported employment, and career planning as they age out of school.
Job Path helps NYC adults with autism and developmental disabilities find customized jobs and set up a home of their own, with support ranging from a few hours a week to around-the-clock care. A good partner when your child is planning for work and adult life.
A trusted nonprofit serving Queens and Long Island with adult day habilitation, residential homes, supported employment, and family and respite support for people with autism and IDD. They walk families through the long road of adult and lifelong planning.
Founded in 1957, YAI offers day programs, pre-vocational training, and supported employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with locations in Queens. Their YAI LINK line can walk you through what services fit and how to get started.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change, so always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
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