Ohio’s Autism Scholarship Program gives eligible students with autism access to funding for special education and related services from approved providers outside of the program offered exclusively by their resident public school district.

For Fiscal Year 2027, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, eligible students may receive up to $34,000 annually through the program.

Peak Potential Therapy is an approved Ohio Autism Scholarship provider serving children and families throughout Northeast Ohio. We provide a multidisciplinary model that includes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral support, and related educational services, allowing many families to coordinate several of their child’s needs through one primary provider.

Our goal is not simply to help families use scholarship funding. It is to help them build a coordinated program around their child’s individual needs.

What Is the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program?

The Ohio Autism Scholarship Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW).

The program gives eligible families greater choice in how and where their child receives special education and related services. Rather than relying exclusively on services provided through the child’s resident school district, families may select approved private or alternative public providers whose programs and expertise better fit their child’s needs.

Ohio’s Autism Scholarship Program began in 2004 and is governed primarily by Ohio Revised Code Section 3310.41 and related administrative rules.

How Much Is the Ohio Autism Scholarship?

For FY2027, the maximum Autism Scholarship amount is:

Up to $34,000 per student per scholarship year.

FY2027 runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

The maximum amount assumes participation for the full scholarship year. The amount actually available to an individual student may be lower depending on when the student enters the program and the cost of services being provided.

Families are responsible for costs that exceed the amount available through the scholarship.

Because scholarship amounts and program rules can change, families should verify current funding with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Who Is Eligible for the Ohio Autism Scholarship?

Ohio law generally provides Autism Scholarship eligibility for qualifying students who are at least 3 years old and under 22 years old and meet applicable program requirements.

Eligibility may include students who:

have been identified as autistic by their resident public school district;
have an Individualized Education Program, or IEP, containing services related to autism;
have received an autism diagnosis from a physician or psychologist; or
meet other eligibility provisions established under Ohio law.

Ohio law also continues to recognize certain students previously identified as having Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS, for Autism Scholarship purposes.

Final eligibility is determined according to Ohio law and Department of Education and Workforce requirements.

Does My Child Need an IEP?

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) remains an important part of the Autism Scholarship Program for many students.

However, it is no longer accurate to say that every student must already have an autism-related IEP before qualifying.

Ohio law provides additional eligibility pathways, including eligibility based on an autism diagnosis from a physician or psychologist. In certain circumstances, if an eligible student does not have an IEP containing autism-related services, an Autism Education Plan, or AEP, may be developed as provided under Ohio law.

Families should work with their resident school district and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to determine which requirements apply to their child.

What Can the Ohio Autism Scholarship Pay For?

Autism Scholarship funds may be used for qualifying special education programs and education-related services provided through approved providers.

Depending on the student’s individual needs and educational plan, qualifying services may include:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA);
behavioral intervention services;
services delivered by appropriately supervised Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs);
speech-language therapy;
occupational therapy;
academic and educational services;
tutoring;
instructional and aide services; and
other special education and related services permitted under Ohio law.

Scholarship funds may also be used to pay tuition for an eligible special education program implementing the student’s IEP or AEP.

Ohio law also permits certain education-related services that are not specifically listed in an IEP or AEP when those services meet program requirements and are agreed upon by the eligible applicant and provider.

Whether a specific service can be funded through the Autism Scholarship depends on the child’s educational plan, provider qualifications, available scholarship funding, and current Ohio program requirements.

Using the Autism Scholarship at Peak Potential Therapy

Many families first contact Peak because they are looking for ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or an Ohio Autism Scholarship provider in Northeast Ohio.

What often becomes more important is the ability to coordinate several of those needs through one organization.

One Primary Provider. Multiple Disciplines. One Coordinated Plan.

Children with autism often need support across more than one developmental area.

Peak Potential Therapy provides ABA, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and related educational supports within one multidisciplinary organization.

Families may use multiple Ohio Autism Scholarship providers, and in some situations that makes sense. But using several unrelated organizations can also mean separate schedules, treatment plans, communication systems, goals, and clinicians who rarely have the opportunity to collaborate.

Many families choose Peak as their primary Autism Scholarship provider because our team can coordinate services around the whole child.

ABA goals can reinforce communication work. Speech-language goals can carry over into behavioral programming. Occupational therapy strategies can support regulation, participation, independence, and daily living skills across settings.

Not every child needs every service. Our goal is not to maximize the number of therapies a child receives. It is to build the right combination of supports and make those services work together.

ABA Therapy Through the Ohio Autism Scholarship

Peak Potential Therapy provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services designed around meaningful functional outcomes.

Depending on the child’s needs, ABA programming may address areas such as:

communication;
social interaction;
emotional and behavioral regulation;
independence;
daily living skills;
transitions;
school readiness;
safety;
community participation; and
behaviors that interfere with learning or everyday life.

Services may be delivered by qualified behavior analysts and appropriately supervised Registered Behavior Technicians in accordance with applicable professional and Autism Scholarship requirements.

Speech Therapy Through the Ohio Autism Scholarship

Our speech-language pathologists work with children whose needs may include:

expressive language;
receptive language;
articulation;
social and pragmatic communication;
augmentative and alternative communication;
conversational skills; and
other communication-related goals.

Because Peak’s speech-language and behavioral clinicians work within the same organization, communication strategies can be reinforced across services rather than remaining isolated within a single therapy session.

Occupational Therapy Through the Ohio Autism Scholarship

Peak’s occupational therapy services focus on functional skills that help children participate more independently at home, at school, and in the community.

Depending on the child, treatment may address:

fine-motor skills;
handwriting and school participation;
sensory processing and regulation;
self-care;
dressing;
feeding-related skills;
motor planning;
coordination; and
activities of daily living.

When appropriate, occupational therapy strategies can be coordinated with the child’s behavioral and communication programming.

Can My Child Use More Than One Autism Scholarship Provider?

Yes.

Ohio law allows families to work with multiple approved Autism Scholarship providers, including more than one provider for a type of service when permitted under program requirements.

Choosing Peak Potential Therapy as a primary provider does not mean that every service must come from Peak.

If another specialist, provider, or educational program is appropriate for a child, families remain free to use those resources.

For many families, however, having one organization coordinate a significant portion of the child’s Autism Scholarship services can reduce fragmentation and simplify communication.

Why Families Choose Peak Potential Therapy

There are many qualified professionals who can provide an individual therapy service.

Peak Potential Therapy is structured around a broader goal: helping children make meaningful progress across the skills and environments that matter in everyday life.

Our multidisciplinary model allows clinicians to look beyond a single diagnosis or therapy discipline.

A communication challenge may also affect behavior.

Sensory regulation may influence classroom participation.

Difficulty with transitions may involve communication, independence, emotional regulation, and behavior at the same time.

By bringing multiple disciplines together, Peak can help families build a more coordinated program around the child rather than treating each service as a separate problem.

Autism Scholarship Services in Northeast Ohio

Peak Potential Therapy serves children and families throughout Northeast Ohio.

Depending on a student’s eligibility, educational plan, and individual needs, Autism Scholarship-funded services through Peak may include:

ABA and behavioral services;
speech-language therapy;
occupational therapy;
social and functional skill development;
educational programming; and
multidisciplinary support.

Service recommendations are based on the individual child.

We do not assume that every child needs every therapy. We focus on identifying the services that are appropriate and coordinating them effectively.

How Do Parents Apply for the Ohio Autism Scholarship?

Families interested in the Autism Scholarship should review current eligibility and application requirements through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Ohio also maintains an official Scholarship Provider Directory where families can locate approved Autism Scholarship providers.

Parents and guardians can use Ohio’s OH|ID Scholarship Parent Portal to access information related to:

applications;
application status;
progress reports;
monthly invoices;
scholarship payments; and
other program information.

The Autism Scholarship requires an annual application.

Under current Ohio administrative rules, applications for students older than age three generally must be received by May 31 for participation in that fiscal year’s program. Applications received after the applicable deadline are generally processed for the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

Because procedures and deadlines may change, families should always confirm current requirements with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Already Have an Ohio Autism Scholarship?

If your child already participates in the Autism Scholarship Program and you are looking for a provider, Peak Potential Therapy can help you determine whether our services are a good fit.

We can review the services your child needs, discuss available programs, and explain the information we require to begin the provider-side process.

For families whose children need multiple disciplines, we can also discuss whether coordinating more of those services through Peak may create a simpler and more integrated program.

Considering the Autism Scholarship for the First Time?

You do not need to understand every rule before contacting us.

If you are exploring the Ohio Autism Scholarship, our team can help explain:

the services Peak provides;
the documentation we need from families;
how our services may fit within an IEP or AEP;
how multiple disciplines can work together;
what happens after a student is approved for the scholarship; and
what the provider-side enrollment process looks like.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, not Peak Potential Therapy, makes final determinations regarding scholarship eligibility and funding.

Ohio Autism Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Ohio Autism Scholarship for 2026–2027?

For FY2027, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the maximum Ohio Autism Scholarship is $34,000 per student for full-year participation.

Can the Ohio Autism Scholarship pay for ABA therapy?

Yes. Behavioral intervention services may qualify under the Autism Scholarship when provided in accordance with the student’s educational plan and program requirements.

Peak Potential Therapy provides ABA services through qualified clinical professionals, including appropriately supervised Registered Behavior Technicians when applicable.

Can the Autism Scholarship pay for speech therapy?

Yes. Speech-language services may qualify for Autism Scholarship funding when they meet the student’s educational and program requirements.

Peak Potential Therapy provides pediatric speech-language services and can coordinate those services with a child’s other therapies when appropriate.

Can the Autism Scholarship pay for occupational therapy?

Yes. Occupational therapy may qualify under the Autism Scholarship Program when applicable requirements are met.

Peak Potential Therapy provides pediatric occupational therapy addressing functional, sensory, motor, self-care, and other individual needs.

Can my child receive ABA, speech, and OT from the same Autism Scholarship provider?

Potentially, yes.

Because Peak Potential Therapy provides ABA, speech-language therapy, and occupational therapy within the same organization, eligible families may be able to receive several qualifying services through Peak depending on the child’s needs, educational plan, available scholarship funding, and program requirements.

Is Peak Potential Therapy an Ohio Autism Scholarship provider?

Yes. Peak Potential Therapy is an approved Ohio Autism Scholarship provider serving children and families throughout Northeast Ohio.

Can we use more than one Autism Scholarship provider?

Yes.

Ohio allows families to use multiple approved providers. Some families nevertheless choose Peak as their primary provider because several disciplines can be coordinated within one multidisciplinary organization.

Does my child need an IEP?

Many Autism Scholarship students have an IEP, but Ohio law provides additional eligibility pathways.

Depending on the child’s circumstances, an Autism Education Plan (AEP) may also apply.

Families should confirm their child’s specific requirements with their resident school district and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Is the Ohio Autism Scholarship based on income?

No. The Autism Scholarship is not an income-based scholarship, and Ohio law does not require applicants or recipients to complete family income verification to participate in the program.

Where can I find approved Autism Scholarship providers in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce maintains an official Scholarship Provider Directory where families can search for approved Autism Scholarship providers.

Talk With Peak Potential Therapy About the Ohio Autism Scholarship

Whether your child already has an Autism Scholarship or you are just beginning to explore the program, contact Peak Potential Therapy to discuss your child’s needs, our available services, and whether Peak is the right fit for your family.

For children who need support across more than one area, Peak’s multidisciplinary model offers something particularly valuable:

One primary provider. Multiple disciplines. One coordinated plan.

Important: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not legal advice or a guarantee of Autism Scholarship eligibility, funding, or payment. Ohio Autism Scholarship laws, funding levels, administrative requirements, and individual student eligibility may change. Families should verify current requirements with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.