Autism resources in
Fairfax County.

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.

Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters offers fast-access autism diagnostic evaluations for children five and younger, since getting answers early makes a real difference. Their team reviews your child's history, observes them at play, and helps coordinate any follow-up testing and a treatment plan.

This is Virginia's statewide early intervention system for babies and toddlers (birth to age 3) who aren't developing as expected or have a condition that can affect development. Services are available to every eligible family regardless of ability to pay, and a local team can come to you to evaluate your child and get support started.

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is the state agency that runs early intervention under Part C of IDEA. Their page explains who is eligible, what supports are available, and how to get connected to services near you.

Virginia Tech's psychology clinics provide comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations for children as young as 18 months on up through adults, using gold-standard assessment tools. The full evaluation is thorough and spread across a few appointments so your family isn't rushed.

A children's hospital team of autism specialists, including psychologists and developmental pediatricians, who evaluate and diagnose autism in young children. They currently focus new autism evaluations on children under age 6 and serve families across the DC and Northern Virginia region.

This is the county's free early intervention program for babies and toddlers under age 3 who may have a developmental delay. Anyone can make a referral, and a team will evaluate your child and, if eligible, bring services right to your home or child care setting.

Part of the Inova health system right in Fairfax, this center offers thorough, multidisciplinary evaluations to diagnose autism and related conditions in children and teens. Their psychologists use a range of tools matched to your child's age and needs.

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.

dLCV is Virginia's designated protection and advocacy organization, providing free legal information, advocacy, and dispute-resolution help so children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education. They offer guidebooks, fact sheets, and direct assistance when you and your school district disagree.

PEATC is Virginia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, offering free, confidential one-on-one help, workshops, and plain-language fact sheets so you can understand your child's IEP and special education rights. Their specialists can walk beside you through the whole process at no cost.

The state's Office of Dispute Resolution and Administrative Services helps families when they disagree with a school, offering an informal Ombudsman, mediation, state complaints, and due process. This official state page explains each option and how to ask for help.

A Fairfax-based nonprofit that supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families raising children with disabilities and special needs. They provide free consultations, IEP and transition-planning help, and peer support groups for parents and youth across Northern Virginia.

The Legal Aid Justice Center's Northern Virginia office offers free special education legal help to income-eligible families, including guidance through IEP meetings, eligibility disputes, mediation, and due process hearings. Their Falls Church office serves Fairfax County families.

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.

A hospital-based team of developmental pediatricians, psychologists, and educators who provide comprehensive autism evaluations, developmental assessments, and referrals to intervention services. A solid option for families in central Virginia seeking a diagnosis or care plan.

Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters runs an Autism Interdisciplinary Clinic in Hampton Roads with staff trained in autism assessment, plus speech, occupational, and physical therapy under one roof. They walk families through the diagnosis process and accept major insurance, Medicaid, and Tricare.

Formerly the Virginia Institute of Autism, this long-established Charlottesville nonprofit provides ABA therapy, behavioral consultation, and parent support for children and teens with autism, both center-based and in the community. Their team has been serving Virginia families since 1996.

A searchable statewide directory of ABA therapy providers you can filter by your region, whether they offer in-home or clinic care, and whether they take your insurance, Medicaid, or Tricare. It's a trustworthy starting point when you're looking for a behavior analyst near you.

A local autism nonprofit serving Fairfax County and the surrounding region with a free resource and provider directory, information and referrals, and support programs. A good place to find vetted local therapists and services when you're not sure where to start.

The largest pediatric autism program in the Washington, D.C. region, with a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists, and speech-language pathologists. They provide autism evaluations and evidence-based treatment for children and teens.

A county-maintained hub that gathers autism-specific supports in one place, including therapy and provider information, respite care, waiver details, employment services, and free recreation programs for kids and young adults on the spectrum.

This is the county's official front door for autism and developmental-disability services. An Intake Support Coordinator can walk you through eligibility and connect your child to support coordination, therapies, and waiver services.

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.

ABLEnow lets people with disabilities save and invest money for disability-related expenses without risking SSI, Medicaid, or other important benefits. It's Virginia's official tax-advantaged ABLE account, open to residents and non-residents alike.

Virginia's DD Medicaid waivers help fund community-based supports for your child at home, at work, and in daily life, based on their needs. You apply through your local Community Services Board, and slots are assigned from a waiting list by urgency of need.

If your family is on the DD waiver waiting list, this DBHDS program can reimburse eligible costs that help your loved one keep living in the community. Families can apply for financial assistance during open funding cycles each year.

The county's Long-Term Care team explains each Medicaid waiver, including the CCC Plus Waiver you can use while waiting for a DD Waiver, and helps determine financial eligibility. A good place to understand which benefits your child may qualify for.

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.

A long-running local Autism Society chapter that runs free, peer-led support groups where parents and caregivers can connect, ask questions, and share what works. Groups meet for caregivers of young children, teens, and adults, plus dads, grandparents, siblings, and Spanish-speaking families.

A statewide peer-support network run by VCU that matches you one-to-one with a trained parent, grandparent, or sibling who has walked a similar path. Their free helpline offers a listening ear plus help navigating special education, early intervention, Medicaid, and disability services.

Year-round, no-cost sports training, competition, and inclusive community programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including a Young Athletes program for kids as young as two. A welcoming way for your child to build skills, confidence, and friendships close to home.

Virginia's state agency dedicated to helping people with disabilities and their families find services, understand their rights, and connect with programs across the Commonwealth. A trusted starting point when you're not sure where to turn.

The county's Neighborhood and Community Services team runs adaptive and inclusive recreation, including F.A.N.tastic Times, a free drop-in family night for individuals with disabilities ages 2 to 22. It is a low-pressure way for your child and your whole family to have fun and connect locally.

A grassroots, parent-run group offering caregiver support meetings, a busy private listserv connecting hundreds of local families, and free educational webinars. Membership is free and it is a warm first stop for Fairfax-area parents who want to talk to other parents who get it.

Virginia's Developmental Disability Waivers fund the long-term community supports many autistic adults need, including day and employment services, help at home, and independent living. Because there is a waiting list, families are encouraged to get their loved one screened early through their local Community Services Board.

Virginia's state agency for vocational rehabilitation, aging services, and disability supports helps adults with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job, and connects families to transition assistance and community-based services. Call to reach a counselor or find your local office.

This is the county's front door for adult services when your child ages out of school — support coordination, adult day and employment programs, residential options, and help navigating the Medicaid DD waiver. Call the intake line and ask to speak with a support coordinator to get started.

A long-established nonprofit whose ACES program helps young adults on the spectrum (age 16+) in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and Falls Church build job skills, explore careers, and find and keep real employment. They offer soft-skills groups, job tryouts, resume and interview help, and on-the-job coaching.

When you're ready to think about guardianship, supported decision-making, or a special needs trust that protects benefits, VAELA's 'Find an Attorney' directory connects you with Virginia lawyers who focus on special needs and long-term planning. A good starting point for families sorting out the legal and financial side of adulthood.