• Local Chapters
• Advocacy
• Public Policy
• Autism Waiver
• Education
• Community Resources
• Events
• Autism Source

Local Chapters

Autism Society chapters are your best source of information and support. Most chapters are volunteer-led by parents, care providers and other professionals. The Autism Society has chapters in nearly every state reaching out to individuals with autism and their families with information, support, and encouragement.

Contact a West Virginia Autism Society chapter.

Visit Autism Source to find local doctors, service providers and other useful resources in your area.

Advocacy

West Virginia Advocates

West Virginia Advocates, Inc. (WVA) is mandated by the federal government to advocate for and protect the legal rights of West Virginians with disabilities. WVA is a private, nonprofit agency and our services are confidential and free of charge.

*Please note that in the context of Special Education Law, an "advocate" differs from an attorney in several ways. By definition, an "advocate" is one that supports or promotes the interests of another while an "attorney" is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on behalf of his or her clients. Although both may be able to help with your legal situation, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only attorney's fees are recoverable to families prevailing in lawsuits. This delineation was the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision in Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy, 548 U.S. 291 (2006). There is currently legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would reverse this outcome (the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, HR 434).

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2008 State Autism Profiles - West Virginia

Partners in Policymaking

Partners in Policymaking is a leadership program for adults with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Partners become familiar with the policymaking and legislative process at the local, state and federal levels. The program teaches skills necessary for individuals to become advocates who can influence the system of services for people with developmental disabilities.

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Autism Waiver

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Education

Department of Education - Office of Special Programs


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Community Resources

West Virginia Waiver Families

A place for West Virginians involved with the Title XIX MR/DD Waiver program to share information, ideas, experiences, tips and advocacy efforts. Topics also include Title V CSHCN, Medicaid and other programs for West Virginians with special needs, young and old alike.

Division for Developmental Disabilities

West Virginia Learning Disabilities, Inc.

Affiliated with the Learning Disabilities Association of America, the West Virginia Learning Disabilities Association, Inc. (WVLDA), is a statewide, nonprofit organization of parents, professionals and adults dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities.

West Virginia Autism Training Center

The mission of the WV Autism Training Center is to provide education, training and treatment programs for West Virginians who have autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or Asperger's Disorder, and have been formally registered with the Center. This is done through appropriate education, training and support for professional personnel, family members or guardians, and other important people in the life of a person with autism. Training is provided by highly skilled and appropriately experienced staff.

West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council

The Council’s mission is to assure that West Virginians with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports and opportunities they need to achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion into the community of their choice.

West Virginia Parent Training and Information Center

West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc. (WVPTI), is a non-profit agency that operates the statewide federally funded Parent Training and Information Center for West Virginia. The programs and services of WVPTI are based on the concept of parents helping parents. Our mission is to empower parents of children and youth with disabilities in their roles as parents, decision makers and advocates for their children, and to promote partnerships among parents and professionals.

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Autism Source

To find more information in your state, please visit www.autismsource.org.

The Autism Society welcomes your comments: If you would like to make a suggestion or share beneficial resources not included in this page, please click here to fill out our contact form.

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Last updated: 22 January 2009