County resource guide
Autism Resources in Kanawha County, West Virginia
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in Kanawha County. West Virginia statewide resources also apply.
Kanawha County (Charleston) is home to WVU Medicine Children's Hospital for developmental evaluations and the WVPTI (West Virginia Parent Training and Information Center) for free IEP advocacy. West Virginia's geographic challenges make the PTI especially critical for families in rural areas. West Virginia requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy, and WV Early Intervention serves young children under 3.
Provider directory
Local Providers27 providers in Kanawha 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 Kanawha 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.
Madison · multi-county
Boone Memorial Hospital — Behavioral Health
Boone Memorial Hospital in Madison is the primary healthcare facility for Boone County. Behavioral health screenings and referrals are available; comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to Charleston Area Medical Center (~45 minutes north) or WVU Medicine Children's. Boone County sits between Charleston and Logan in the coalfields.
Charleston CAMC is the primary specialist destination, ~45 min north.
Morgantown · multi-county
WVU Medicine Children's — Developmental Pediatrics
Autism and developmental evaluations at WVU Medicine Children's Hospital, West Virginia's academic medical center. The primary comprehensive evaluation program in the state, serving Kanawha County and families statewide.
West Virginia's academic medical center for pediatric evaluations. Telehealth available for rural families.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Charleston · multi-county
Autism Learning Partners — West Virginia
In-home ABA therapy serving the Charleston metro and Kanawha Valley. BCBA-supervised. Accepts most commercial insurance under West Virginia's ABA insurance mandate.
West Virginia requires commercial insurance to cover ABA therapy. In-home therapy fills gaps in WV's thin center-based ecosystem.
Madison · multi-county
Easter Seals West Virginia — ABA Services (Boone County)
Easter Seals WV extends in-home ABA and behavior support to Boone County through its southern WV service area. Accepts WV Medicaid. The coalfield geography makes in-home delivery the standard model.
WV Medicaid covers ABA. Easter Seals WV serves the coalfields region.
Hurricane · multi-county
Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Hurricane
Center-based ABA, occupational, and speech therapy for autistic children in Hurricane, serving Putnam County families. Accepts WV Medicaid and most commercial insurance.
WV Medicaid covers ABA therapy. Center-based model in the Teays Valley corridor.
Charleston · multi-county
The Developmental Advantage — Charleston
Pediatric outpatient ABA therapy for children up to age 6 with autism in Charleston. Serves Kanawha, Clay, Jackson, and Roane counties.
Source: https://www.thedevadvantage.com
Respite care
Respite care providers giving families a break — in-home, center-based, and overnight.
Statewide · multi-county
West Virginia respite — what exists, and what does not
Worth being straight about: West Virginia's best-known respite program, FAIR, is for families caring for someone with Alzheimer's or a related dementia, and is not open to families of autistic children. What you have instead is respite as a covered service under the I/DD Waiver, plus the National Family Caregiver Support Program through your Area Agency on Aging. With around 967 people waiting for the I/DD Waiver and only 125 to 175 slots released a year, ask the Area Agency route as well rather than waiting on the waiver alone.
The WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities keeps the most complete West Virginia resource lists and is a better starting point than a general search.
~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.
Charleston
Autism Society of West Virginia
West Virginia's statewide autism organization. Support groups, resource navigation, and family connections for Kanawha County and across the state.
Madison · multi-county
Autism Society of West Virginia
Statewide autism organization providing peer support and resource navigation for Boone County and central Appalachian WV families.
West Virginia · multi-county
Mountaineer Autism Project
Resources and support for autism families in West Virginia including the Charleston/Kanawha area.
Source: https://mountaineerautismproject.com/resources/
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Clarksburg · multi-county
WV Parent Training and Information (WVPTI)
West Virginia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. Free IEP advocacy, training, and one-on-one support for WV families. Knows West Virginia's special education regulations — an especially important resource in a state with geographic barriers to services.
FREE. Federally funded PTI. Especially important given West Virginia's rural geography and limited specialized providers.
Clarksburg · multi-county
WV Parent Training and Information (WVPTI)
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Boone County families. WVPTI provides phone and remote advocacy, critical for families in this coalfield county navigating special education systems.
FREE. Federally funded PTI.
Clarksburg · multi-county
WV Parent Training and Information (WVPTI) — Putnam County Families
WVPTI provides free IEP advocacy and special education support to Putnam County families. Especially useful given the county's rapid growth and corresponding demand on school special education systems.
FREE. Serves all WV counties statewide.
Activities, clubs & recreation
Clubs, sports, camps, and social programs that welcome autistic children and teens — inclusive, adaptive, and special-needs specific.
Romney · multi-county
Camp Gizmo
A July camp on the campus of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind at Romney, for children with disabilities and their families, with an assistive technology focus.
Morgantown · multi-county
WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities - physical activity programs
The state's university center for disability maintains physical activity and recreation program listings for West Virginia, plus a broader autism resource directory. The most reliable statewide index in a state where provision is very thin outside the university towns.
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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School districts & government services
Public programs and school district contacts for Kanawha County.
School & special education
- Kanawha County Schools — Special Education
Kanawha County includes Charleston, the state capital.
Services & benefits
- WV DHHR — Kanawha County DD Services
Contact WV DHHR's Kanawha County/Charleston office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Adult services
- WV DHHR — Kanawha County DD Services
Contact WV DHHR's Kanawha County/Charleston office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Respite & support
- WV DHHR — Kanawha County DD Services
Contact WV DHHR's Kanawha County/Charleston office for waiver enrollment and DD services.
Helpful guides
Guides for Kanawha 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.
Communities served
Cities in Kanawha County
Serving families across Kanawha County including Charleston, South Charleston, Dunbar, St. Albans, Nitro, Hurricane, Teays Valley, Cross Lanes, Chesapeake and Marmet and more.
See all West Virginia resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in West Virginia.
West 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 Kanawha County, West Virginia?
We list 15 providers serving Kanawha County, covering ABA therapy, parent & family support, diagnostic clinics, activities, clubs & recreation and respite care, 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 Kanawha County accept Medicaid?
2 of the providers we list for Kanawha County state that they accept Medicaid, including Easter Seals West Virginia — ABA Services (Boone County) and Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center — Hurricane. Coverage and plan participation change often, so confirm directly with the provider before your first appointment.
Where can I find ABA therapy in Kanawha County?
ABA providers serving Kanawha 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 Kanawha County families?
Yes — 1 provider serving Kanawha County offers 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 Kanawha County?
2 providers serving Kanawha 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia families can apply to the Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver, a Medicaid waiver that can fund respite, therapies and in-home support. The typical wait is Three or more years, with 967 waiting and 125–175 slots 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 Kanawha County?
If none of the Kanawha County providers is the right fit, these West Virginia counties currently have the most listed providers: Cabell County (24), Wirt County (21), Randolph County (20), Barbour County (19). 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 West Virginia
You know things we don’t
Still missing from Kanawha County
These are the things no database has and every parent knows. If you can answer one of them, another family in Kanawha 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 Kanawha County? We'll email you.
One email when we verify a new provider in Kanawha 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 Kanawha 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
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