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◦ Northeast Ohio · Est. 2008
How to Pay for Autism Therapy in Ohio
Zane's Inc. provides free quarterly grants for autism therapy in Northeast Ohio — covering ABA, speech, OT, music therapy, and more for families when insurance runs out. Up to $2,000 per individual per year across 20 NE Ohio counties.
The Funding Gap
Why Insurance Isn't Enough
Ohio law requires insurance companies to cover autism therapy — but coverage caps, prior authorization denials, provider network gaps, and out-of-pocket maximums leave most families paying thousands per year out of pocket. ABA therapy alone can cost $20,000–$50,000 annually for intensive programs.
Many families exhaust their insurance benefits by mid-year, then face a choice: stop therapy or find funding elsewhere. That's exactly where Zane's Inc. steps in.
Therapy Costs
Common Autism Therapies & What They Cost
ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis)
Most common therapy for autism. Parent training: ~$100/hr. RBT direct therapy: ~$50/hr. Intensive programs can exceed $50K/year.
Speech-Language Therapy
Addresses communication, language, and social skills. Typical cost: $100–$250/session. Often partially covered by insurance.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Helps with daily living, sensory processing, fine motor skills. $150–$300/session. Coverage varies widely by plan.
Social Skills Therapy
Group or individual sessions focused on peer interaction and communication. $75–$200/session.
Music & Art Therapy
Creative therapies with documented benefits for autism. Often NOT covered by insurance.
Hippotherapy / Therapeutic Riding
Horse-assisted therapy showing strong results for autism. Rarely covered by insurance; $75–$125/session.
How Zane's Helps
What Zane's Inc. Covers
Zane's Inc. funds therapy costs that insurance or government programs won't cover — including ABA, speech, OT, PT, music therapy, art therapy, and hippotherapy. Funding is available for both children and adults with lifelong developmental disabilities.
$100
1 hr ABA parent training or 2 hrs RBT therapy
$250
2 hrs reading therapy or reading tutoring
$2,000
Maximum per individual per year
Funding is disbursed quarterly on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Adults 18+ requesting under $500 may be considered on an expedited basis outside the quarterly cycle.
To qualify, your household income must be at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, and you must reside in one of 20 NE Ohio counties. Zane's funds future therapy sessions only — not current or past bills. Payment goes directly to the therapy provider.
Applications are temporarily paused while the board updates the funding process. Join the newsletter on our News page to hear the moment they reopen — the resources below can help in the meantime.
LEARN ABOUT THERAPY FUNDING →Other Options
Additional Funding Sources for Autism Therapy
Ohio Medicaid / PASSPORT Waiver
Medicaid waiver programs can cover ABA and other therapies for eligible individuals. Contact your county board of DD for waiver applications.
The Orange Effect
Funds speech therapy and AAC devices for individuals 21 and under. Quarterly deadlines: Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1.
Midwest Council for Children with Disabilities (MCCD)
Grants for Ohio families for medical and therapy costs not covered by insurance.
County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Your local county DD board may provide service coordination and funding for therapy. Contact them first before applying to private grants.
Don't Let Funding Stop the Progress
Apply for free. No cost, no obligation. Zane's exists for exactly this situation.