Resources for Children with Disabilities and Their Families
The resources on this page are intended to help caregivers and families of children with disabilities ensure your child has access to the support and services they need to thrive.
Virginia Department of Education (DOE)
Information regarding special education laws, resources, and programs from the DOE.
Virginia Family Special Education Connection
This website provides a one-stop-shop for parents, families, and caregivers of children with special needs to:
- Access local school system contacts and disability services in your community
- Explore an abundance of resources to help your child succeed
- Learn about and plan your child's educational program
- Understand your legal rights and responsibilities
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) provides services and support for families and professionals, as well as advocacy for systemic improvement. They offer trainings for families and professionals on a wide range of topics including disability benefits, IEPs, bullying prevention, and behavioral issues.
Training and Technical Assistance Centers
The Virginia Department of Education’s state-wide Training & Technical Assistance Centers (TTACs) provide professional development and support designed to assist educators in addressing accountability and improvement goals for students with disabilities. Regional centers are as follows:
- Regions 6 and 7 (NRV area, including Roanoke)
Virginia Tech | (800) 848-2714
Radford University | (877) 544-1918 - Region 4 (Northern Virginia area)
George Mason University | (703) 993-4496 - Regions 1 and 8 (Richmond area)
Virginia Commonwealth University | (800) 426-1595 - Regions 2 and 3 (Newport News area)
The College of William & Mary | (800) 323-4489
InfoAboutKids.org promotes healthy child and family development by highlighting science-based information for those who care for, or work with, children. The site links to other well-established, trustworthy websites for parents, other caregivers, and professionals, and their monthly blogs summarize science-based information on timely topics.
New River Valley Disability Resource Center
The New River Valley Disability Resource Center (NRV DRC) is a non-profit organization led by people with disabilities working toward inclusivity and accessibility in the New River Valley region of Virginia. They provide advocacy, information and referral, transition services, skills training, peer support, and accessibility modifications to people with disabilities and to the community at large.
Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Family Involvement
The Virginia Comonwealth University (VCU) Center for Family Involvement provides free support for parents of children with disabilities seeking services. In particular, this program offers family navigators for IEP/504 processes, providing step-by-step, personalized guidance through assessment, establishment of supports, and updating supports. The family navigator for Blacksburg/Roanoke is Lisa Richard.
Child Study Center at Virginia Tech
The Child Study Center (CSC) is a specialty research, service, and training facility devoted to the comprehensive assessment, treatment, prevention, and understanding of problems of childhood and adolescence. Services include diagnostic evaluations for children and adolescents aged 16 years of age and younger, and webinars to help parents manage children and adolescents' development, emotions, behavior, and schooling.
Radford University Center for Assessment and Psychological Services
The Center for Assessment and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides assessment, consultation, professional development training, and counseling/intervention services for the pediatric through young adult population. Clients do not have to be affiliated with Radford University to use CAPS services.
UNC Greensboro Psychology Clinic
UNC Greesboro Psychology Clinic provide comprehensive psychological testing/evaluations for a variety of cognitive, educational, emotional, and behavioral difficulties in children and adolescents.
Blacksburg Pediatrics is now offering Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2) testing to all children in the community.
Commonwealth Autism: Autism Database
A resource directory including everything from camps and hair salons for autistic individuals to preschools with behavioral supports.
Carilion Children's Child Development Clinic
The Child Development Clinic focuses on providing comprehensive pediatric developmental assessments in a child and family centered environment.
Carilion Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry cares for children and adolescents who may have atypical development, need help adjusting to significant stresses, or may be experiencing the onset of mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Outpatient services are available in Roanoke and the New River Valley. Their inpatient unit, located in Roanoke, serves children ages 5-17.