County resource guide
Autism Resources in Lee, Virginia
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Lee. Virginia statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
19 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Pennington Gap · multi-county
Ballad Health — Lee Regional Medical Center (Lee County)
Ballad Health's Lee Regional Medical Center in Pennington Gap serves Lee County, Virginia's westernmost county bordering Tennessee and Kentucky. Autism evaluations typically require travel to Johnson City, TN (~1.5 hours) or the Tri-Cities region. Telehealth is strongly recommended as the first step.
Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City, TN is the closest comprehensive pediatric evaluation center for Lee County families.
Norton · multi-county
Ballad Health — Norton Community Hospital
Norton Community Hospital (Ballad Health) provides regional medical services for Norton City. Coordinates referrals to Ballad's regional pediatric network for autism evaluations in far Southwest Virginia.
Big Stone Gap · multi-county
Ballad Health — Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital (Wise County)
Ballad Health's Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap is the primary hospital for Wise County. For autism evaluations, Wise County families typically access Carilion Children's via telehealth or travel to Bristol/Johnson City, TN (~1 hour). The LENOWISCO Health District coordinates regional referrals.
Johnson City, TN (about 1 hour) has Niswonger Children's Hospital — a strong evaluation alternative for Far SW Virginia.
Gate City · multi-county
Norton Community Hospital — Scott County Developmental Referral
Norton Community Hospital (Ballad Health) in Norton, VA serves as the primary regional hospital for Scott County. For comprehensive autism evaluations, families are typically referred to Johnson City Medical Center or East Tennessee Children's Hospital in the Tri-Cities TN area (~35–50 miles west), which are often closer and more accessible than Roanoke or Richmond.
Tri-Cities TN (Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, ~35–50 mi west) often have shorter waitlists and are more accessible than Virginia's academic centers for far SW Virginia families.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Jonesville
Virginia Part C Early Intervention — Lee County
Virginia's Part C EI program serves Lee County children under 3. Lee County's extreme western location means EI providers frequently travel long distances or use telehealth. Tennessee border proximity occasionally creates cross-state EI collaboration opportunities.
Free under IDEA Part C.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Gate City · multi-county
Highlands ABA Services — Scott County (In-Home/Telehealth)
In-home and telehealth ABA therapy for Scott County. This far SW Virginia county is more accessible from the Tennessee Tri-Cities than from Virginia's interior, so families may also use TN-licensed providers. Virginia Medicaid and commercial insurance are accepted.
Contact Highlands Community Services Board about current ABA providers. TN-licensed providers may also serve this border region.
Mental health
Therapists and psychiatrists experienced with autistic children and adults.
Jonesville · multi-county
LENOWISCO Community Services Board — Buchanan County
LENOWISCO CSB covers Lee, Scott, Wise, and adjacent counties including Buchanan in some service areas. Provides developmental disability supports, DD waiver coordination, and mental health services for autism-related behavioral needs in far SW Virginia.
Jonesville · multi-county
LENOWISCO Community Services Board — Dickenson County
LENOWISCO CSB provides mental health, developmental disability, and autism-related behavioral health services for Dickenson County. DD waiver coordination and crisis services are available, though travel to Wise or Norton may be required for some programs.
Duffield · multi-county
Lenowisco Planning District Community Services (Washington County)
The regional CSB for Washington County provides DD waiver coordination, autism behavioral health, and crisis services for far Southwest Virginia.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Gate City · multi-county
Autism Society of Virginia — Far Southwest Network (Scott County)
The Autism Society of Virginia connects Scott County families to statewide peer support and autism advocacy. Virtual participation is essential — Scott County is one of Virginia's most geographically remote counties, and the Tri-Cities TN autism community is also accessible.
Jonesville · multi-county
Autism Society of Virginia — Far SW Virginia (Lee County)
The Autism Society of Virginia supports Lee County families through statewide virtual peer support. Lee County is Virginia's most remote county — online peer connection and the statewide helpline are the primary realistic community options.
Wise · multi-county
Autism Society of Virginia — Far SW Virginia (Wise County)
The Autism Society of Virginia connects Wise County families to statewide peer support. Virtual support groups and the statewide helpline are the most accessible options given the county's geographic isolation in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Wise · multi-county
LENOWISCO Planning District — Lee County Disability Services
LENOWISCO serves Lee County families with disability services coordination and resource navigation. Tri-state border location (VA/TN/KY) creates unique opportunities and challenges — LENOWISCO can help navigate multi-state resource access.
Wise · multi-county
LENOWISCO Planning District Commission — Disability Services (Wise County)
The LENOWISCO Planning District serves Lee, Norton, Wise, and Scott County families with disability services coordination, resource navigation, and advocacy support. A regional hub for Far Southwest Virginia autism resources.
Alexandria · multi-county
PEATC — Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
Virginia's federally funded PTI serves Scott County families navigating Scott County Public Schools. Free IEP advocacy, training, and direct support available statewide — essential for this isolated far SW Virginia county.
FREE. Remote phone and video support critical for Scott County's remote location.
Jonesville · multi-county
PEATC — Virginia Parent Training & Information Center (Lee County)
Virginia's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy and special education rights support for Lee County families in Virginia's westernmost county. PEATC understands Far Southwest Virginia school systems and the unique challenges of border-county families.
FREE. Virginia's federally funded PTI.
Wise · multi-county
PEATC — Virginia Parent Training & Information Center (Wise County)
Virginia's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy and special education rights support for Wise County families navigating Wise County Public Schools and Norton City Schools in Far Southwest Virginia.
FREE. Virginia's federally funded PTI.
Richmond · multi-county
The Arc of Virginia — Southwest Region (Norton City)
Statewide Arc affiliate supporting Norton City families with DD waiver navigation and disability advocacy in the coalfield communities of far Southwest Virginia.
Richmond · multi-county
The Arc of Virginia — Southwest Region (Washington County)
Statewide Arc affiliate supporting Washington County families with DD waiver navigation and disability rights advocacy in far Southwest Virginia.
For providers
Be the first featured provider in Lee County
Featured listings include your logo, extended description, a direct contact button, and top placement above standard listings. Families searching for help in Lee County see you first.
Missing a provider? Submit a listing — it's free →
See all Virginia resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Virginia.
Virginia state guide →