County resource guide
McDowell County, West Virginia
Local providers, school contacts, and support services for autism families in McDowell County. West Virginia statewide resources also apply.
Local providers
13 listedDiagnostic clinics
Formal autism evaluations by developmental pediatricians, psychologists, or neuropsychologists.
Princeton · multi-county
Princeton Community Hospital — Pediatric Services
Pediatric care at Princeton Community Hospital in Mercer County. Developmental screening and referrals; comprehensive autism evaluations typically require travel to WVU Medicine Children's or to Virginia/Tennessee border hospitals.
Mercer County families often travel to Carilion Children's in Roanoke, VA (~1.5 hrs) or Bristol Regional Medical Center, TN for specialized pediatric evaluations. WVU Medicine in Morgantown is ~3 hrs.
Beckley · multi-county
Raleigh General Hospital — Pediatrics (Beckley)
Pediatric services at Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley. Developmental screening and referrals for Raleigh County families; complex autism evaluations typically referred to WVU Medicine Children's in Morgantown or Charleston Area Medical Center.
Developmental evaluations are limited in southern WV. Most Raleigh County families travel ~90 minutes to WVU Medicine Children's or Charleston Area Medical Center for comprehensive autism evaluations.
Welch
Welch Community Hospital — Behavioral Health
Welch Community Hospital is the primary medical facility for McDowell County, one of the most economically distressed counties in the United States. Behavioral health and developmental screenings available; all comprehensive autism evaluations require travel to Princeton Community Hospital or WVU Medicine Children's. Telehealth is critical here.
McDowell County is one of the most economically distressed counties in the US. Telehealth is the most realistic pathway to specialized services.
Early Intervention (0–3)
Free services for children under 3 under IDEA Part C.
Welch
WV Birth to Three — McDowell County
Free IDEA Part C early intervention for McDowell County infants and toddlers. Home-based evaluations and services — often the only developmental support immediately accessible in this very rural and impoverished county.
FREE under IDEA Part C. Often the only developmental resource in McDowell County. No referral needed.
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — typically requires insurance authorization.
Princeton · multi-county
Centria Autism — Southern WV (Mercer County)
In-home ABA therapy serving Mercer County through Centria Autism's WV network. BCBA-supervised, accepts WV Medicaid. In-home delivery is the practical option given lack of centers in this region.
WV Medicaid covers ABA. In-home model essential for Mercer County given distance from center-based providers.
Welch · multi-county
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (McDowell County)
Telehealth ABA therapy and parent training for McDowell County families. In-person ABA is not available in Welch; telehealth BCBAs are the primary option. Accepts WV Medicaid. Economic hardship is widespread — call to discuss financial assistance and Medicaid enrollment.
WV Medicaid covers ABA. Economic barriers are significant in McDowell County — Medicaid enrollment support may be needed.
Pineville · multi-county
Centria Autism — Telehealth ABA (Wyoming County)
Telehealth ABA therapy for Wyoming County families in the Pineville area. No local ABA providers exist in Wyoming County; telehealth BCBAs and in-home programming are the practical options. Accepts WV Medicaid.
WV Medicaid covers ABA. In-home and telehealth are the only realistic ABA options for Wyoming County.
Parent & family support
Parent groups, sibling programs, and family peer support.
Welch · multi-county
Autism Society of West Virginia
Statewide autism organization providing peer support and resource navigation. McDowell County families face extreme isolation and economic hardship; virtual connections and resource navigation through the Autism Society are especially valuable.
Virtual/phone support is the most accessible format for McDowell County families.
Pineville · multi-county
Autism Society of West Virginia
Statewide autism organization providing peer support and resource navigation for Wyoming County and southern WV coalfield families.
Princeton · multi-county
Autism Society of West Virginia — Southern WV Network
Peer support and resource connections for Mercer County families through the Autism Society of West Virginia's statewide network.
Virtual/phone support especially important for families in WV's most rural southern counties.
Advocacy & legal
Legal advocates, special education advocates, and disability rights organizations.
Clarksburg · multi-county
WV Parent Training and Information (WVPTI)
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for McDowell County families. Remote and phone advocacy is the primary service delivery mode — families in Welch face extreme geographic and economic barriers to in-person resources.
FREE. Remote/phone advocacy is essential for McDowell County's isolated families.
Clarksburg · multi-county
WV Parent Training and Information (WVPTI)
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Wyoming County families. Phone and remote advocacy available — essential for families in this rural coalfield county with limited local resources.
FREE. Remote/phone support available for Wyoming County families.
Clarksburg · multi-county
WVPTI — Special Education Advocacy for Raleigh County
Free IEP advocacy and parent training for Raleigh County families from West Virginia's federally funded Parent Training and Information Center.
FREE. Remote/phone support available for rural Raleigh County families.
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See all West Virginia resources
Waivers, PTI centers, and state programs apply to all families in West Virginia.
West Virginia state guide →