This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Hanover County, Virginia. You'll find 13 local resources listed here, alongside Virginia statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Virginia's starting point is the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia; for school-age children, special education and IEPs run through your local school district. Confirm details directly with each provider.
Diagnosis & Early Intervention
Getting an evaluation and accessing early services.
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.
This is Hanover County's local early intervention program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 who may not be developing as expected. They offer free evaluations, home visits, and family support, and no child is turned away based on ability to pay.
School & IEP Rights
IEPs, 504 plans, special education, and school advocacy.
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.
This is Hanover's own school-district resource center, offering free help understanding the IEP and 504 process, workshops, and one-on-one support as you navigate special education for your child. It's a warm first stop for any parent new to the process, located right in Ashland.
Therapy & Treatment
ABA, speech, OT, and finding the right providers.
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.
Hanover County's public agency for developmental disability support, offering intake, case management, DD Waiver screenings, and connections to local services for children and adults. This is the local government front door for families starting the process in Hanover.
The county's dedicated support for children and youth with developmental disabilities, including case management, counseling, early intervention, and 24-hour crisis help. A warm local starting point when you need someone in Hanover to walk alongside your family.
A well-established Richmond nonprofit devoted entirely to autism, offering diagnostic evaluations, ABA therapy, speech services, and school and adult programs across the lifespan. Families throughout the Hanover and greater Richmond area turn to Faison for hands-on treatment and support.
Financial Assistance & Benefits
Medicaid waivers, SSI, ABLE accounts, and legal aid.
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.
This state agency page walks families through Virginia's DD waivers, the waiting list, and the services each one funds, from respite and behavioral support to home modifications. It's a plain overview to read before or after you call your local CSB.
Support Groups & Community
Find your people, in person and online.
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.
This local autism chapter has served Central Virginia families for over 40 years, with parent and sibling support groups, social and recreational activities, summer camps, and programs for every age. They provide direct services in Hanover County and welcome you whether your child was just diagnosed or is grown.
A Mechanicsville nonprofit of more than 45 years offering the Linking Lives Day Support program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their day services give families meaningful respite while their loved one enjoys companionship, activities, and care close to home.
This is the county's own agency for residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities, offering support coordination, a family support program, and a regular Family Support Group. They connect you to services and are there around the clock if a crisis ever comes up.
Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A neurodivergent employment agency offering job support nationwide over Zoom: resume building, mock interviews, and career guidance, plus direct outreach to employers to help secure placements. Supports neurodivergent individuals roughly ages 16 to 50, and has been in business over 15 years.
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.
A Richmond-based nonprofit founded by parents that sets up and manages pooled special needs trusts, so you can set aside money for your child without risking their SSI or Medicaid. They walk families through the process and handle the day-to-day trust administration for you.
Virginia's federally designated protection and advocacy nonprofit offers free legal help and guidance on guardianship, supported decision-making, and other less-restrictive alternatives that protect your adult child's rights and autonomy. A trusted resource when you are weighing decision-making options as your child turns 18.
Virginia's designated disability protection and advocacy organization offers free guidance on alternatives to guardianship, like supported decision-making agreements and powers of attorney, so your young adult can keep as many of their own rights as possible when they turn 18.
This is your local starting point for adults aging out of school services. The Hanover CSB offers day support, supported employment through Hanover Industries, and support coordination to help your adult child live, work, and stay connected in the community.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change, so always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
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