Trusted Resources for Northeast Ohio Families
Families raising a child with autism, developmental disabilities, communication challenges, learning differences, or other special needs often have to navigate far more than therapy alone.
Questions may involve special education, funding, advocacy, home supports, educational tools, financial planning, assistive technology, recreation, and community resources.
Peak Potential Therapy has compiled this collection of trusted Ohio, Northeast Ohio, and national resources to help families find reliable information and practical support.
Some organizations listed below are community organizations or professionals with whom Peak Potential Therapy has developed relationships. Others are independent resources that we believe families may find helpful.
Inclusion on this page does not mean that Peak Potential Therapy endorses every product, treatment, service, or recommendation offered by an outside organization.
Ohio & Northeast Ohio Autism and Disability Resources
Autism Society of Greater Akron
The Autism Society of Greater Akron provides information, support, education, community programs, and resources for autistic individuals and their families throughout Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, and Wayne counties.
Families can access resources including a HelpLine, autism guides, community events, social programs, safety information, educational resources, and assistance navigating available services.
Visit Autism Society of Greater Akron
Milestones Resources at Lifeworks Autism Services
The community resources previously provided by Milestones Autism Resources are now offered through Lifeworks Autism Services.
Milestones Resources at Lifeworks include an autism Help Desk, educational trainings, a Resource Directory, and a Learning Library designed to help individuals and families navigate autism across the lifespan.
Explore Milestones Resources at Lifeworks
OCALI Family and Community Outreach Center
OCALI is an Ohio-based center providing information, professional development, family resources, and educational tools related to autism and other disabilities.
Its Family and Community Outreach Center offers practical resources for parents and caregivers, including Ohio’s Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder, communication resources, behavioral supports, sensory information, transition planning, and online learning.
Explore OCALI Family Resources
Disability Rights Ohio
Disability Rights Ohio provides advocacy, information, and legal resources for Ohioans with disabilities.
Its special education resources can help families better understand topics including:
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs);
- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE);
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE);
- special education dispute resolution;
- school discipline;
- transition services;
- restraint and seclusion; and
- educational rights under federal and Ohio law.
Explore Disability Rights Ohio Special Education Resources
Achievement Centers for Children
Achievement Centers for Children is a Northeast Ohio nonprofit providing programs and support for children and adults with disabilities and their families.
Its programs include family support, recreation, education, early childhood services, technical assistance, and other disability-related resources.
Visit Achievement Centers for Children
Red Treehouse
Red Treehouse is a Northeast Ohio family resource network that helps families and professionals locate services for children and young adults with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and other healthcare needs.
Its searchable resource directory includes organizations providing:
- financial assistance;
- medical and therapeutic support;
- recreation;
- education;
- family support;
- disability services; and
- community programs.
Search Red Treehouse Disability Resources
Ohio Special Education & Scholarship Resources
Ohio Autism Scholarship Program
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce administers Ohio’s Autism Scholarship Program for eligible students with autism.
Families can find current information regarding eligibility, scholarship amounts, applications, approved providers, program rules, and the Ohio Scholarship Parent Portal.
Peak Potential Therapy is an approved Ohio Autism Scholarship provider.
Ohio Autism Scholarship Resources
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program allows eligible Ohio students with IEPs to receive special education and related services from approved providers.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce provides current eligibility information, scholarship amounts, provider information, applications, and program guidance.
Peak Potential Therapy is an approved Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship provider.
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Resources
Educational & Social Skills Resources
Model Me Kids
Model Me Kids provides research-based video modeling resources designed to teach social, communication, emotional regulation, and functional skills.
Its curriculum uses real children and young adults to model social situations that may occur at school, at home, in the community, and eventually in the workplace.
Video modeling is recognized as an evidence-based practice for many autistic learners, and Model Me Kids has also been studied through research conducted at Cleveland Clinic.
Time4Learning
Time4Learning provides online educational curriculum that may be useful to families who homeschool or supplement their child’s education at home.
Its resources include information specifically addressing homeschooling students with learning differences and disabilities and may be useful for families looking for flexible, self-paced academic options.
Explore Time4Learning Special Needs Resources
Sensory, Occupational Therapy & Adaptive Products
Fun and Function
Fun and Function provides sensory tools, adaptive equipment, educational products, and therapy resources for children with autism, ADHD, sensory needs, and other developmental differences.
Products include sensory seating, calming tools, fine-motor activities, swings, sensory-room equipment, classroom tools, and products commonly used by occupational therapists, educators, and families.
Special Needs Financial Planning
Common Goal Financial
Families caring for a child with a disability may eventually need to consider financial issues that extend far beyond the cost of therapy.
Topics such as special needs trusts, government benefits, estate planning, guardianship considerations, ABLE accounts, and long-term financial planning can become important as a child approaches adulthood.
Kenneth Vinikoff, co-founder of Common Goal Financial in Northeast Ohio, has experience working with families who have children with disabilities and helping them understand long-term financial planning strategies.
Learn About Kenneth Vinikoff and Common Goal Financial
More Resources for Peak Potential Therapy Families
Peak Potential Therapy also maintains educational resources designed to help families navigate services, funding, and developmental support.
Families may want to explore our guides to:
- the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program;
- the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program;
- grants and financial resources for children with disabilities;
- ABA therapy;
- speech-language therapy;
- occupational therapy;
- early intervention;
- summer and educational programming; and
- getting started with services at Peak Potential Therapy.
We continually review and update our resources as programs, organizations, and funding opportunities change.
Know a Resource We Should Consider?
Northeast Ohio has a strong community of organizations supporting children and adults with disabilities.
If you know of a nonprofit organization, educational resource, community program, or family support service that may benefit Peak Potential Therapy families, we welcome suggestions.
Our goal is to make this page a useful starting point for families looking for credible autism, disability, special education, therapy, advocacy, and family resources in Northeast Ohio.