One of the most complex tasks both parents and professionals face is developing and implementing an effective language intervention for children with autism. Parents and professionals are finding that BOTH Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Training (NET), together with the help of Skinner's (1957) Functional Analysis of Verbal Behavior to be very effective for children with autism. This is commonly referred to as Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB)which is a specialty within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It is a place where parents and professionals running home (and school) programs can discuss concerns and share their knowledge of this type of teaching.

The Blue Ridge Autism Center is dedicated to providing families and individuals with Autism quality education, meaningful communication, resources and life skills that are necessary to succeed in society.

The Department of Neurology provides comprehensive consultation, evaluation and management of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous and neuromuscular systems of adults and children. The department has four divisions: adult, child, neuro-ophthalmology, and neurophysiology.

Developmental pediatric specialists at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters provide neurodevelopmental consultations for the evaluation, diagnosis and management of children with neurological developmental disabilities, such as developmental delays, speech/language disorders, motor disorders, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, autism and learning disorders. Children referred to CHKD developmental pediatrics include premature infants, children with birth defects or syndromes such as Down Syndrome, and those who are not talking or walking, are motor delayed and are failing in school.

Walton Educational Consulting provides Applied Behavior Analysis consultation to assist Public Schools and parents develop successful programs for students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Services delivered include direct school and home consultation, program design, curriculum assessment and design, staff training and development and strategic program assessment and planning systems. Clients served include Public Schools serving young elementary students with Autism and families providing in home programming (ages 2 – 6 years old).

A bimonthly web-zine of international disability news and views.

For over 25 years, MAINSTREAM has been advocating for disability rights. Produced by, for, and about people with disabilities, MAINSTREAM covers news & current affairs, new products & technology, profiles of movers & shakers, education, employment, sexuality & relationships, housing, transportation, travel & recreation.

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Social Skills Groups for individuals with Autism, High Functioning Autism, Asperger's, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Auditory Processing Disorders, and a variety of other disabilities that have a social component.

The Virginia Guardianship Association's mission is to provide for the exchange of ideas, education, and communication among groups and individuals in providing or furthering guardianship services or alternative protective services to vulnerable persons who are elderly, who have mental illness, who have a developmental disability, or who are otherwise at risk.

At Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC), we believe that each child deserves the best treatment possible. We believe that families deserve respect and compassion. We also believe that parents deserve to have a voice in their child's care--from the initial evaluation to a participating role in treatment. VTCC maintains a liberal visitation policy for patients hospitalized at our facility. Family members and/or guardians are encouraged to visit and participate in the child/adolescent's treatment. VTCC offers a broad spectrum of psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and their families, and works to improve the mental health of all Virginians through patient care, education, and research.