School services and accommodations for autism spectrum disorders or Aspergers are typically available in Virginia under the educational category of “autism“.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Northern Virginia
Parents of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia (POAC-NoVa) is a non-profit run entirely by volunteers through which families to help families, with a focus on providing a online community and addressing the educational needs of children who have an autism spectrum disorder. It operates a list serve, holds membership meetings, and also offers parent support meetings (check their calendar for details). POAC-NoVa is based in Fairfax County but is a resource for families across Northern Virginia. The POAC-NoVa list serve is an excellent resource for information exchange and referrals to specialists. The POAC-Nova website is particularly helpful for learning about free events related to autism spectrum disorders. POAC-Nova maintains an extensive calendar of events throughout the metro area that relate to autism spectrum disorders. To join the support group, contact Nicole Zupan at nicizupan@verizon.net. Support group meetings are typically held on Saturdays in the library at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 6304 Lee Chapel Rd., Burke, VA 22015. Visit the website to become a member of the organization.
City of Alexandria, Virginia
There is an Autism Support Group facilitated by the City of Alexandria Public Schools held on the last Tuesday of each month, alternating morning and evening hours (10-noon or 7-9 p.m.). These meetings are attended by autism specialists in the school system. For more information, contact, Janet Reese, Parent Support Specialist at 703-824-0129
or at janet.reese@acps.k12.va.us
Arlington, Virginia
Parent volunteers maintain a list serve for Arlington parents of children with Asperger’s and High Functioning Autism known as the ASIS Yahoo Group. This is a closed group (you must have permission to join). Please visit the yahoo group site here to join.
The Arlington Autism Group is a parent support group that also operates an email list. To join the list contact Donna Budway at donnabudway@aol.com Support meetings are held periodically for members.
Springfield, Virginia
The Fairfax Autism Network (“FAN”) is a volunteer parent support group meets regularly on the the 4th Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Raymond’s Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, Virginia. FAN has a yahoo group: FairfaxAutismNetwork@yahoogroups.com. For additional information, contact June Adlesberger at adelsbergers@verizon.net or Jen Tucker at jltucker@rocketmail.com.
Burke, Virginia
Proactive Parents Support Group is for parents of children with all types of disabilities, including Aspergers. Meetings are held at Kings Park Library at 9000 Burke Lake Road in Burke VA from 7-9 pm, usually on the last Tuesday or Wednesday of the month. Contact Beth Troutman at troutmanbeth@yahoo.com for additional information.
Non-Profit Groups
The Autism Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV), 10467 White Granite Drive, #324, Oakton, VA 22124, is an advocacy group for all those affected by autism addressing a broad range of needs for the community, including issues relating to care management, self-advocacy and autonomy in adulthood. ASNV makes referrals to local support groups and professionals and manages an online support group at AS-NV@yahoogroups.com. ASNV also offers direct mini-grants to families to help defray costs of treating children on the autism spectrum. More information is available at www.asnv.org or contact the Executive Director at director@asnv.org or 703-495-8444.
The Arc of Northern Virginia, 2755 Hartland Road, Suite 200, Falls Church, Virginia, 22043, serves a number of roles. The Arc offers direct support to parents through its workshops and offering opportunities to meet with staff and professional volunteers at their Lunch Bunch held on alternating Tuesdays from 12-2 (reservations are required) and the Generated Parent Support/s the first Wednesday of every month (7 p.m.). Discussion topics may include federal and state financial support (Medicaid and disability), Medicaid waivers for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, guardianship issues for those who may not be independent as adults, as well as information about various human services supports, special education issues and private providers. The Arc is also an advocacy group, is the state designated guardian of last resort, and runs a pooled special needs trust program. For more information call 703-532-3214 or visit the website at www.thearcofnova.org.
Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) is a regional non-profit organization open to all with services. JSSA offers support to those with special needs through the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) located at 8900 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22031. JSSA operates social skills groups for children, teens and young adults as well as some evaluation services and hosting of support groups. JSSA also provides a Special Needs Parent and Caregiver Support Group which meets the first Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9 at JCCNV. There is a $15 charge per meeting to cover the costs of the facilitator, a licensed clinical social worker. To participate, email MelissaH@jccnv.org.
Adult Support Group
Asperger Adults of Greater Washington is a support and social group for adults 18 and over who live in the region and who have Asperger’s, high functioning autism, nonverbal learning disorder, semantic pragmatic disorder and PDD-NOS. Members attending their first meeting may bring a family member or friend. Meets monthly. http://www.aagw.net To join the e-mail group, please contact Mark at info@aagw.net The O.A.S.I.S. Asperger website provides a full description of issues, treatments, therapies, school placement options, related issues as well as links to other groups, publications, resources for families, students and adults. www.aspergersyndrome.org, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AspergersSupport/
Publishers of Autism Specific Titles
Future Horizons Publishing: Sets up conferences, sells publications, etc. related to autism/Asperger’s. www.futurehorizons-autism.com
Jessica Kingsley Publications publishes books for adults, professionals and children on autism, Asperger’s, non-verbal learning disabilities, Tourette’s, etc. www.jkp.com
Online newsmagazine Disability Scoop provides daily coverage on autism and a wide variety of other disabilities. http://www.disabilityscoop.com
Government Resources
For information on state government and local government resources, including school resources, please see our listings under Resources by Location.