16 Top Autism Schools in Virginia[Special Needs Schools]

Are you a Parent having trouble getting assistance for your autistic child? Are you having difficulties finding the right autism schools for your child in Virginia?

If yes, then we’ve got you covered. This article contains a detailed list of top autism schools in Virginia and what you need to know about them. Explore!

Today, autism affects many families and is spreading more widely over time. The origin. of autism in children is still unknown, but the symptoms—disruptive behavior, difficulty focusing, sensory sensitivity, and social isolation—are quite evident. 

Some people believe they made a mistake while pregnant or right after the baby was born. The strain of attempting to raise a child with autism causes some families to fall apart.

All kids, even those with autism, can learn the fundamental life skills they need to have happy, contented lives. 

Education for autistic children is most effective when it is implemented based on reliable findings from the fields of behavior analysis and education. 

With this, autism schools in Virginia offer students with developmental impairments and of all ages a collaborative, forward-thinking, and innovative learning environment.

What Is Autism?

Autism is a developmental condition characterized by pronounced delays in speech and social relatedness that commonly manifests during the first three years of life. Autism is a neurological condition that prevents the brain from working properly.

Before an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is created, it is necessary to determine that children with autism spectrum disorders are IDEA-eligible for special education and related services. 

According to the Virginia Department of Education If the proven symptoms of autism spectrum disorder hurt the child’s educational performance, the child can be qualified for special education.

The List of Top Autism Schools in Virginia 

New Story Schools

New Story Schools is an educational organization that offers an academic learning environment integrated with behavior support services. The school handles students ages 5-21 experiencing social, emotional, educational, and behavioral challenges.

New story schools since their inception in 1997educate students with serious and complex behavioral and educational challenges, providing the necessary support to help students and their families.

They offer Educational Services, Behavioral and Therapeutic Services.

They Serve:

  • K-12

  • Autism

  • Developmental Delay

  • Emotional Disability

  • Intellectual Disability

  • Multiple Disabilities

  • Other Health Impairment

  • Specific Learning Disability

  • Speech or Language Impairment

  • Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Hearing Impairment

Location: 5163 Cleveland St, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States.

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Spiritos School

Spiritos School is a Private School and Clinic for children with disabilities. Spiritos offers a unique setting that provides individualized special education programs for each child (aged 2-12). 

The school is licensed to provide a full academic curriculum along with the various therapies specific to each child’s individual needs. 

With quality staff, they provide individualized support in a nurturing environment, combining synergistic therapies so children can learn to be independent.

Services offered 

And other therapies include: 

  • Occupational Therapy
  • Sensory Integration (SI)

Location: 400 Coalfield Rd, Midlothian, VA 23114, United States.

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The Faison Center

The Faison Center offers children and adults with autism and related challenges the best opportunity to improve their life’s journey through evidence-based practice. 

Faison provides services and programs through a unique lifespan model, which offers enriching opportunities from early diagnosis to adulthood. 

Services offered include: 

  • The Behavioral Health Clinic

  • Comprehensive Assessment and Diagnostic Services.

  • Early Education Program.

  • After School Program.

  • Adult and Residential Services

  • Community-based Adult Day Program.

  • The Faison Residence 

  • Approved family partner homes.

Location: 5311 Markel Rd, Richmond, VA 23230, United States.

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Key Center School

Key Center School is a complete special education center that serves students with intellectual disabilities and autism. 

In compliance with the Americans Disabilities Act along with IDEA, Key Center School provides an appropriate educational program for students within the least restrictive environment to meet their individual needs.

Students are offered individual programs with related services of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and vision/hearing services, as deemed appropriate by the IEP team. 

Location: 6404 Franconia Rd, Springfield, VA 22150, United States.

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The Sarah Dooley Center For Autism

The Sarah Dooley Center for Autism is a school dedicated to serving children ages 5 to 22 diagnosed with autism and other related developmental disabilities in Virginia. 

At Sarah Dooley Center For Autism, all services are based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and evidence-based teaching strategies. This is to deliver highly individualized education and behavioral programming for students. 

Students are provided with communication skills, social skills and self-management skills that will assist them in determining where they live, what they do and who they do it with.

The school partners with local education agencies, state agencies, community groups and local universities to build a support network of professionals to assist students.

Services they offer: 

Location: 8000 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227, United States.

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The Aurora School

The Aurora School (Aurora) is a caring, educational community that offers quality education for individuals with special needs in Virginia, founded in 2003.

Aurora uses the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) to provide an individualized education for students ages 5 to 22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, primarily autism. 

The school’s program challenges students to achieve personal excellence and independence. And the foundations of the program are positive reinforcement, continuous measurement of learning, and graphic-displayed data analysis. 

Aurora offers an evidence-based curriculum systematically taught and developed by the school’s teachers and behavior analysts. This includes Verbal Behavior, Social Skills, Self-Management, Problem-Solving Skills, Math, and Reading..

Location: 601 Catoctin Cir NE #601, Leesburg, VA 20176, United States.

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The Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center

Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center (BRAAC) is a nonprofit center that provides education and services for children and families affected by autism and unique learning challenges in Virginia. 

BRAAC was founded in June 2009 and employs as its primary teaching method,  Intensive Applied Behavioral Analysis Program (ABA). 

This method is based on the research-based, scientific principles of operant conditioning to build socially useful skills and reduce inappropriate behavior. 

Location: 312 Whitwell Dr, Roanoke, VA 24019, United States.

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Alternative Paths Training School

APTS is a year-round special education day school in Virginia for students whose disabilities include Autism and other Developmental Disabilities (not limited to Emotional and or Learning Disabilities).

The school’s primary focus is to support and challenge students to become successful. This is achieved by helping them to learn and grow academically, socially, emotionally and in other areas of their lives. 

With full implementation of students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), students are engaged at APTS through academic, vocational and life skills tracks. 

Among an array of educational services, APTS offers the following services: 

  • School-wide behavior plan

  • Behavior Intervention Plans (BIOS)

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Physical Therapy

  • Speech/Language Therapy

  • Individual Counseling

  • Group Counseling/Social Skills Groups

  • 24-Hour Crisis Hotline

  • Classrooms for advanced academic students

  • Physical Education

  • Adapted Physical Education

  • On-site Reading Specialist (Literacy Specialist)

  • Nursing/medical staff

  • Assistive Technology 

  • Distance Learning Services

  • No Time Out Rooms

  • No in-school or out-of-school suspensions

Location: 5632 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309, United States.

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Other Autism Schools in Virginia 

  • Kilmer Center

Location: 8102 Wolftrap Rd Vienna, VA 22182.

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  • LIFES Academy

Location: 200 Dent St, Rocky Mount, VA 24151, United States.

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  • Chesapeake Bay Academy

Location: 821 Baker Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States.

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  • Amelia Street Sp. Ed.

Location:  Amelia St Richmond, VA 23220.

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  • Burke School

Location: 9645 Burke Lake Rd Burke, VA 22015.

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  • The New Community School

Location: 4211 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227, United States.

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  • Rivermont School NOVA

Location:8540 Cinder Bed Road, Suites 1750-1800, 8550 Cinder Bed Rd Suite 100, Lorton, VA 22079, United States

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  • Northstar Academy

Location: 11501 Nuckols Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059, United States States.

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Conclusion

Autism is a spectrum disorder with traits such as rigid thought processes, hypersensitivity to sound, light, or touch, and repetitive behaviors.

Although people with autism do not all exhibit the same signs and weaknesses, they tend to share several social, communication, motor, and sensory issues that have a predictable impact on their behavior.

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