Virginia Special Needs Resources

Virginia families access therapy services through a mix of private providers, clinics, and hospital systems. Common services include:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Psychological and neurodevelopmental evaluations

Availability and waitlists vary by region, especially in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and rural areas. Families often need to be proactive in contacting multiple providers to secure timely services.

Virginia follows federal disability law while adding state-level rules that shape how services are delivered in schools and through public agencies. Understanding this framework helps families know what they are entitled to and where problems commonly arise.

Federal Law Framework
Virginia is bound by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Under IDEA, eligible students ages 3–21 are entitled to:
• A Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• An Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Procedural safeguards, including due process rights

These federal protections are enforced in Virginia through state agencies and local school divisions.

Special education services in Virginia are administered by local school divisions and overseen by the Virginia Department of Education.

Key Points:
• Schools must evaluate students suspected of having a disability at no cost to families
• Eligibility decisions are made by an IEP team, not a single administrator
• Parents are legal members of the IEP team and must be included in all major decisions
• Services must be individualized - budget constraints are not a lawful reason to deny services

Virginia law closely mirrors IDEA, but enforcement and consistency can vary significantly by district.

Virginia operates early intervention services through the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia.

Children under three with developmental delays or diagnosed conditions may qualify for:
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Developmental services
• Family coaching

Services are delivered under an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) rather than an IEP.

Public developmental disability and autism-related services are coordinated through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and delivered locally via Community Services Boards (CSBs).

Important Realities:
• Access to services often depends on waiver availability and funding
• Waitlists for long-term supports are common
• Case management quality varies widely by locality
• Families often need to be proactive and persistent to secure services

Virginia provides multiple formal dispute mechanisms when families disagree with schools or agencies:
• Mediation
• State complaints
• Due process hearings

Parents Have the Right to:
• Review educational records
• Request independent evaluations
• Challenge IEP decisions

Organizations like the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) help families understand and exercise these rights.

By age 14, Virginia requires schools to begin transition planning within the IEP. This includes:
• Postsecondary goals
• Employment planning
• Independent living skills

Adult services are coordinated through DBHDS and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, but services are not automatic once a student exits the school system.

This transition period is one of the biggest service cliffs for Virginia families.

Virginia law provides strong protections on paper. In practice:
• Enforcement depends heavily on parent advocacy
• Access varies by region
• Private services are often used to fill gaps left by public systems
• Families who understand their rights early tend to experience better outcomes

Virginia schools, clinics, and therapy providers face increasing demand and overwhelmed intake systems. Families need clearer guidance, faster responses, and trusted referral pathways.