The Roanoke Valley — the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem, Vinton, and Botetourt — has real, credentialed help for kids with special needs, anchored by Carilion Children's at the Tanglewood center and a small set of strong local schools and clinics. Your local districts — Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem City — each run special education. This is the Valley's own yellow pages of the best, most relevant help: named experts and clinics where we can verify them, ranked by real credentials (ABPP, BHCOE, Orton-Gillingham, COPAA, CCC-SLP, OTR-L, board-certification), never by reviews or who pays. In Virginia your free front door is the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Roanoke Valley (birth–3) and your school district's evaluation and IEP for ages 3+. Start there, then the best evaluators, schools, reading specialists, therapists, doctors, and advocates near you.
✓ Every provider here is vetted by credentials, never pay-to-play. How we choose →
Private K-12 day school for students with autism and emotional/behavioral needs, fully accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF) and Cognia. Uses standards-aligned instruction with Applied Behavior Analysis, MTSS, and trauma-informed, social-emotional supports.
Year-round specialized day school for children and adolescents with autism and developmental disabilities, run by the nonprofit VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment. Small class sizes and evidence-based practice including ABA; an extension of the public school system that prepares students to transition toward more inclusive settings.
CrossWalk, the language-based learning program at North Cross School in Roanoke, uses the Orton-Gillingham approach to remediate dyslexia and other language-based learning differences while keeping students in a traditional classroom for part of the day. Its instructors are O-G certified or in training — the strongest dedicated dyslexia program in the Valley.
Roanoke County Public Schools serves students from age 2 through 21 with specialized special-education programs — autism support, behavior, and life skills — within an inclusion model. Roanoke City and Salem City run their own as well. In the Valley the strongest specialized placements are most often within the public districts; insist on the right program through the IEP process.
PEATC, Virginia's Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center, offers free help weighing options and pushing for the right program through the IEP process — on-demand trainings, fact sheets, and parent support for Roanoke Valley families deciding between district programs and a specialized school.
Licensed Virginia private day school (K-12) for students with autism, emotional disability, intellectual disability, developmental delay, specific learning disability, speech/language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and other health impairments. Small structured classrooms, certified special-education staff, behavioral and therapeutic supports, and individualized instruction aligned to Virginia Standards of Learning. Multiple Southwest Virginia campuses.
Licensed Virginia special-education school on the HopeTree Family Services campus in the Roanoke Valley, serving grades 7-12 (day and residential). Designed for significantly underachieving or over-age students with specific learning disability, emotional disturbance, speech/language impairment, higher-functioning autism, or other health impairment. Accelerated two-semester diploma program with remedial support, plus on-campus licensed social workers and counselors.
VAIS-accredited, NAIS-member independent PK-12 school whose CrossWalk Program serves bright students with diagnosed language-based learning differences such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. Uses the multisensory, systematic Orton-Gillingham approach delivered by certified (or certifying) OG instructors within a fully inclusive school culture, allowing students to remediate while accessing a college-prep curriculum.
County public-school special-education department providing free appropriate public education and related services to eligible students from age 2 through 21 across all IDEA disability categories, including autism, specific learning disability (including dyslexia), emotional disability, intellectual disability, speech/language impairment, and more. IEP-driven services delivered across the district's schools.
City public-school special-education department providing free appropriate public education and related services to eligible students ages 2 through 21 identified with a disability under IDEA. IEP-based programming and supports across the district serving the City of Roanoke, including services for autism and learning disabilities.
These public schools and programs have a solid track record in special education — but we don’t re-check them every year. Staff, leadership, and programs change from building to building and year to year. Treat this as a strong starting point, and confirm the current fit for your child.
The city division's student-services office provides free special education evaluations and IEP services across all disability categories under IDEA, including autism and specific learning disabilities. Programs and placements vary by school and change year to year; verify current options directly.
Neighboring county division with a long-running special education department and Early Childhood Special Education program for children ages 2-5 with identified delays or disabilities, including autism. Free IDEA services; offerings change year to year, so confirm current programs.
Small, well-regarded independent city division within the Roanoke metro providing free special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities under IDEA. Programs vary by year and by school; verify current placements directly with the division.
Dedicated autism assessment practice evaluating toddlers, children, and adolescents for Autism Spectrum Disorder using gold-standard instruments including the ADOS-2. Focused diagnostic clinic enabling early diagnosis and earlier access to therapies.
Carilion Children's Child Development clinic provides neurodevelopmental assessment and evaluation for suspected developmental disabilities and learning disorders — autism, ADHD, and developmental delay — the academic medical anchor of the Roanoke Valley and the referral for complex cases. The Carilion Children's Tanglewood center (4348 Electric Rd) unites pediatric specialties under one roof.
Use the Psychology Today 'testing & evaluation' directory filtered to Roanoke to find local psychologists who do childhood ADHD, autism-spectrum, and learning-disability testing — then verify the clinician is a licensed psychologist (ideally ABPP board-certified in clinical neuropsychology) and will join your school meeting. A vetted way to find local testing rather than trusting ads.
The American Board of Professional Psychology's directory lists clinicians who passed board certification in clinical neuropsychology — the credential to verify in any private evaluator across the Roanoke Valley, instead of trusting star ratings.
Virginia law requires every school division to have a reading specialist trained to advise on dyslexia and to provide evidence-based, structured-literacy intervention. Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem must offer this free — request dyslexia screening and services in writing, and know your rights before paying for private tutoring.
The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators lists accredited O-G practitioners — searchable near Roanoke, Salem, and Vinton. The gold-standard credential for a private dyslexia tutor, instead of trusting ads. (Insist on Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, or Barton — never Davis, Brain Gym, or vision therapy.)
A huge audiobook/highlighting library — free for students with a qualifying reading disability, so your child keeps up with grade-level books while they learn to decode.
Comprehensive pediatric rehab clinic offering occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy (plus ABA and music therapy) staffed by licensed pediatric therapists. Serves children with developmental delays, autism, and neurological needs across the Roanoke Valley.
Pediatric therapy clinic providing speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy with licensed therapists; led by pediatric occupational therapist Krista Beheler, OTR/L. Part of the established multi-state Ivy Rehab network.
In-home pediatric occupational and speech therapy serving Roanoke, Salem, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg, led by Dr. Lauren Vistarakula, OTD, OTR/L with a team of pediatric OTs and SLPs (CCC-SLP). Natural-environment, family-centered care.
The Center for Pediatric Therapies serves children with autism and a range of developmental and neurological needs in Roanoke, with CCC-SLP speech-language pathologists, OTR/L occupational therapists, physical therapists, and behavior specialists working together — a credentialed, multidisciplinary local clinic.
Mosaic's Roanoke clinic provides one-on-one, BCBA-led applied behavior analysis for children with autism, with Registered Behavior Technicians and individualized treatment plans (Compass and Dominion Care also provide ABA in the Valley). Ask about BHCOE accreditation when you compare ABA providers.
The BHCOE directory lists accredited ABA providers across the Roanoke Valley, ASHA ProFind lists CCC-SLP speech therapists, and AOTA lists OTR/L occupational therapists — searchable by zip so families in Roanoke, Salem, or Vinton find the nearest credentialed clinician.
Carilion Children's, the region's academic children's hospital, unites pediatric specialties — child development, behavioral health, speech, OT, and PT — at its Tanglewood center, with developmental evaluation for autism, ADHD, and developmental delay. The marquee medical anchor and referral for complex diagnoses in the Roanoke Valley.
The Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research (in nearby Roanoke/Blacksburg) publishes a Southwest Virginia & Greater Roanoke Valley autism resource guide and connects families to evaluation, research, and services — a trustworthy local academic resource for navigating an autism diagnosis.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' directory helps you find board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians serving the Roanoke Valley — the credential to verify for a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates' directory lists active, vetted special-education advocates and attorneys serving Virginia and the Roanoke Valley — the field's real professional standard.
PEATC is Virginia's federally funded Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center — free help understanding your rights, evaluations, and the IEP process, with on-demand trainings and parent support groups. A respected statewide free resource before hiring a private advocate.
Virginia's protection & advocacy agency offers free legal information and advocacy for special-education rights — a no-cost first stop before hiring a private advocate or attorney.
For children birth to 3, the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Roanoke Valley provides free developmental evaluations and multidisciplinary early-intervention therapies for every eligible child regardless of ability to pay — the earliest, no-barrier place to start in the Valley.
Radford University's training clinic (a short drive from Roanoke) provides low-cost, sliding-scale speech-language and hearing evaluation and therapy, supervised by CCC-SLP faculty — an affordable option for Valley families who can't pay private rates.
The Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research's free Southwest Virginia & Greater Roanoke Valley resource guide maps low-cost evaluation, therapy, and family-support options across the region — a vetted starting point when funds are tight.
PEATC offers free help understanding evaluations, IEPs, and your rights — a no-cost first call for any Roanoke Valley family navigating special education.
For children birth to 3 with a developmental delay or a medical condition that can delay development, the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Roanoke Valley provides free evaluation and multidisciplinary early intervention — speech, occupational, and physical therapy, developmental services, and family coaching — for families in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, and Botetourt and Craig counties, regardless of ability to pay. The earliest, no-barrier place to start.
Request a special-education evaluation in writing from your district — Roanoke City (rcps.info), Roanoke County (rcps.us), or Salem City (salem.k12.va.us). In Virginia the eligibility process — evaluation and the eligibility meeting — must be completed within 65 business days of the district receiving your request. This is the free legal route to an IEP under IDEA.
Virginia's federally mandated protection & advocacy agency — free legal information and advocacy when a child's special-education rights are denied. A powerful free resource before you pay anyone.
Federally funded and free — they help Virginia families understand their rights, the IEP/504 process, evaluations, and meetings. A great first call.
Virginia's protection & advocacy agency — free legal-rights information and help if your child's rights are being denied.
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How do I start the special-education process in Roanoke?
Put your request in writing to your child's school, asking for a full special-education evaluation — that is the legal first step. On A New Story you'll find a free, ready-to-send evaluation-request letter you can use today.
How long does a special-education evaluation take?
Once you give written consent, the school generally must complete the evaluation and hold an eligibility meeting within a set timeline (often around 60 days, though it varies by state). Putting your request in writing starts the clock.
Can my school district pay for a private special-education school?
Sometimes. If the public school can't provide an appropriate education, the district can be required to fund a state-approved nonpublic placement. It isn't automatic — it takes the right evaluation and advocacy — but families do it every year, including ones with limited funds.
What's the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?
An IEP provides specialized instruction and services under IDEA; a 504 plan provides accommodations under civil-rights law. A New Story's free guides walk you through which one fits your child.
Where can I find free special-education help in Roanoke?
A New Story lists credential-vetted schools, evaluators, therapists, advocates, and the free public programs and parent centers in Virginia — searchable by ZIP, and free forever.