County resource guide
Autism Resources in Wise County, Virginia
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Wise County. Virginia statewide resources also apply.
Wise County — home to Wise and Norton — is in the coalfields of far southwestern Virginia. Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap provides regional medical services. Provider availability is limited in this rural Appalachian community; families travel to Kingsport or Johnson City, TN for more specialized autism services. PEATC provides free statewide IEP advocacy, and Virginia's Infant and Toddler Connection provides EI for children under 3.
Provider directory
Local Providers36 providers in Wise County
About our listings
Provider listings on Autism Parent Club are submitted by practices or researched from public sources. All listings are reviewed by a person before publication, and no provider has paid to appear here. Read how we verify listings, or use the “Suggest a correction” link below to flag anything inaccurate.
0 providers in Wise County. Filter by your child’s age — including 18+, which is the hardest to find anywhere.
Diagnostic 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.
Clintwood · multi-county
Ballad Health — Telehealth Developmental Pediatrics (Dickenson)
Ballad Health extends telehealth developmental pediatrics to Dickenson County — Virginia's most remote county by most measures. Norton Community Hospital (Wise County) is the nearest in-person care, with Kingsport TN as the regional hub for comprehensive autism evaluations.
Telehealth is essential for Dickenson County. Norton/Wise County is the nearest in-person option.
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.
Wise
Virginia Part C Early Intervention — Wise County
Virginia's Part C EI program serves Wise County children under 3. In this rural mountain setting, EI coordinators rely heavily on home-based services and telehealth providers from the Abingdon or Bristol area.
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.
Big Stone Gap · multi-county
Mountain Empire Community Services Board (Norton City)
The regional CSB for Norton City and the Wise County area provides DD waiver coordination, autism behavioral health, and crisis services for far Southwest Virginia's coalfield region.
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
~3,000 providers nationwide
ARCH National Respite Locator
A free national database of respite providers searchable by state and locality — home care agencies, community-based organizations and state programs. The single best starting point for finding respite anywhere in the country, and it is the tool state agencies themselves point families toward.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Before you pay out of pocket, check what your state's Medicaid waiver funds — respite is covered by nearly every state waiver, and many families never think to ask.
Most states run one
Your state's Lifespan Respite Care Program
Lifespan Respite Care Programs are federally seeded, state-run programs that help families of any age and any disability find and pay for respite — often including vouchers or subsidies that do not depend on having a Medicaid waiver. Most states have one, they are chronically under-used, and they are rarely mentioned by anyone else in the system.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Search for "[your state] Lifespan Respite" or use the ARCH directory. Ask specifically about voucher or subsidy programs — that is the part families most often miss.
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.
Clintwood · multi-county
Autism Society of Virginia — Far SW Virginia (Dickenson)
The Autism Society of Virginia connects Dickenson County families to statewide peer support networks and virtual resources. Given the county's extreme geographic isolation, virtual support groups and the statewide helpline are the primary community connections.
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.
Clintwood · multi-county
PEATC — Virginia Parent Training & Information Center (Dickenson)
PTI Virginia provides free IEP advocacy and special education rights support for Dickenson County families. Given the extreme geographic isolation of this coal-country county, phone and virtual consultations are the primary service mode.
FREE. Virginia's federally funded PTI. Phone consultations available.
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.
Alexandria · multi-county
PEATC — Virginia Parent Training & Information Center (Norton City)
Virginia's federally funded PTI provides free IEP advocacy for Norton City families navigating Norton City Schools in far Southwest Virginia.
PEATC — Virginia Parent Training & Information Center. Statewide contact verified August 2026.
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.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
200+ locations nationwide
ACEing Autism
Weekly Saturday tennis clinics built specifically for autistic children aged 5 to 18, run by volunteers at more than 200 locations across the country, serving over 7,000 players. Sessions run in six-week blocks of an hour. This is the clearest example of the interest-based model working: the sport supplies the structure, the turn-taking and the reason to be there, so the social side happens sideways rather than being the task.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Cost varies by location — around $120 for a six-week session at some sites, with scholarships available. Use the map on their site to find your nearest program, schedule and local contact.
~4,000 camps nationwide
American Camp Association — camp finder
A free searchable directory of close to 4,000 summer camps that can be filtered for camps serving autistic campers, by distance, session length, activities and cost. The best single starting point for finding a day or overnight camp anywhere in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Registration for specialized camps typically opens December–February and popular overnight camps fill within days. Start the funding conversation in autumn.
Nationwide — find your local chapter
Best Buddies
One-to-one friendship matching between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus employment, leadership and inclusive living programs. Over 4,000 chapters across all 50 states, serving school-age through adult. If what your family wants is a friend rather than an activity, this is the most direct answer in the country.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
A national organization, not a local listing — use the finder on their site, or call 1-800-89BUDDY, to locate your nearest chapter.
Local affiliates across most of the country
Easterseals — camps and recreation
Day and overnight camps run through local Easterseals affiliates, several of them autism-specific, with weekend respite and family camp sessions as well. Many affiliates operate sliding-scale fees, and several camps serve adults alongside children.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Programs vary a great deal between affiliates — check what your nearest one actually runs rather than assuming the national description applies.
Week-long camps hosted nationwide
iCan Shine (iCan Bike)
Teaches people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, using adapted roller bikes over a week-long camp that gradually transfers balance to the rider. Learning to ride a bike is a milestone a lot of autistic children are quietly written off for, and this is the program that most reliably delivers it. Camps are hosted by local organizations across the country, so availability is by host town rather than by chapter.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their site for host locations and dates — camps run in different towns each year, so somewhere near you may host this year and not next.
Local chapters in a number of US cities
KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)
Volunteer-led one-to-one recreation for children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at no cost to families or carers. The one-to-one model is the point: a volunteer is paired with your child for the session, which makes it workable for people who cannot manage a group setting unsupported.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Free to families. Runs through local chapters in a number of US cities rather than everywhere — check whether yours has one.
900+ divisions nationwide
Little League Challenger Division
Baseball for children and adults with a physical or intellectual disability, across more than 900 divisions. The main division serves ages 4–18, or up to 22 if still enrolled in school; the Senior League Challenger Division serves 15 and above with no upper age limit.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Use the league finder on their site to locate the nearest Challenger division, or ask about starting one.
200+ communities
Miracle League
Baseball on purpose-built accessible fields in more than 200 communities. Every player bats and every player scores, so ability differences do not decide the game.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Check their location list for the nearest field — coverage is good but not universal.
Every state — county-level programs
Special Olympics
Year-round sports training and competition at no cost to the athlete or their family, for children and adults alike. Programs run at county level in every state.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Eligibility centers on intellectual disability or a closely related developmental disability. If your child is autistic without an intellectual disability, have a direct conversation about fit before signing up rather than after.
Through local clubs and state associations
TOPSoccer (US Youth Soccer)
The Outreach Program for Soccer — recreational soccer for children and adults with intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, usually with buddy support on the pitch. Run through ordinary local soccer clubs rather than as a separate organization.
A national programme with local chapters — we have not verified a chapter in this county. Use their finder to locate the nearest one.
Ask your state youth soccer association which local clubs run TOPSoccer — it is often not advertised on the club's own website.
For providers
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Helpful guides
Guides for Wise County families
Step-by-step help on the topics that matter most.
School & IEP
Navigating the IEP process
Your rights under IDEA, how evaluations work, and what every IEP section means.
Finding help
ABA, OT, speech and waitlists
How to find qualified providers, navigate insurance, and get off waitlists faster.
Getting started
Where to start after diagnosis
A week-by-week checklist for the first 90 days — from evaluation to early intervention.
Benefits & money
SSI, Medicaid waivers, ABLE accounts
Federal benefits your child may qualify for and how to apply without losing your spot.
Mental health
Co-occurring conditions and support
Managing anxiety, ADHD, and depression alongside an autism diagnosis.
Daily life
Sensory processing and OT
Understanding sensory needs, sensory diets, and how occupational therapy helps.
Adulthood
Employment, housing, legal planning
Supported employment, housing options, guardianship alternatives, and ABLE accounts.
See all Virginia resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in Virginia.
Virginia state guide →Common questions
Answered from the providers currently listed for this county — these update as the directory does.
How many autism providers serve Wise County, Virginia?
We list 24 providers serving Wise County, covering parent & family support, diagnostic clinics, ABA therapy, mental health and advocacy & legal, plus 1 more. Some are based in the county and others serve it from nearby areas. Every listing is reviewed by a person before it is published.
Which autism providers in Wise County accept Medicaid?
1 of the providers we list for Wise County state that they accept Medicaid, including Highlands ABA Services — Scott County (In-Home/Telehealth). Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Wise County?
ABA providers serving Wise County are listed in the ABA therapy section of this page, with phone numbers and websites. Many deliver services in the family's home or at school as well as in a clinic. Ask about waitlists when you call — they vary widely and change month to month.
Are there telehealth autism services for Wise County families?
Yes — 6 providers serving Wise County offer telehealth or virtual sessions. This is often the fastest route to support for families in rural areas or on long local waitlists.
Can autism therapy happen at home in Wise County?
2 providers serving Wise County deliver services in the family's home. Many children do better in a familiar setting than in an unfamiliar clinic room, and in-home visits remove the travel burden.
Does Medicaid pay for autism services in Virginia?
Virginia families can apply to the DD Waivers — Community Living, Family & Individual Supports, Building Independence, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is By urgency, not by date — Priority 1 is served within about a year, and your place is usually set by the date you apply — so applying early matters even if you are unsure what services you need. Many waivers also disregard parental income, so families who don't qualify for regular Medicaid often still qualify here.
What if I can't find an autism provider in Wise County?
If none of the Wise County providers is the right fit, these Virginia counties currently have the most listed providers: Fairfax County (35), Prince William County (27), York County (27), Arlington County (26). Many providers travel or offer telehealth, so it is worth calling even if they are not based nearby. You can also tell us about a provider we are missing.
Nearby counties in Virginia
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Wise County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Wise Countygets an afternoon back. It takes about a minute and you don’t need to know the business details — a name and a rough location is enough for us to check.
- Which dentist here has managed a cleaning without it becoming a fight?
- Who cuts your child's hair without a meltdown?
- Is there a group here where your child has made a friend?
- Which pediatrician here actually listens, and doesn't rush the appointment?
We check everything before it goes up, and nobody pays to be listed. How we verify.
Get told when this page changes
New provider in Wise County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Wise County — no newsletter, no digest, nothing else. Some counties hear from us a few times a year and some stay quiet for months; we would rather send you nothing than send you filler.
We store your address and county, and nothing else. How we handle it.
See something that needs fixing?
Providers move, phone numbers change, and links break — it happens. If anything on this page is out of date, wrong, or no longer working, please tell us and we’ll fix it. Keeping this accurate for autism families is the whole reason we’re here.
Report a correction →Help the community
Know a great provider in Wise County?
If a therapist, clinic, or specialist helped your family, tell us about them and we’ll add them to the directory so other families can find them too.
Tell us about a provider →For providers
Are you a provider serving Wise County?
Add your practice so families searching for help can find you. Listings are free.
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