Skip to main content
Visit our new Pennington Gap office at
185 Redwood Avenue Suite 102-B Pennington Gap, VA 24277!

Autism Assessments

in Collaboration with Virginia Tech

Free Diagnostic Assessments for Children in Southwest Virginia

Healing Waters Counseling Center (HWCC) is honored to partner with the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research to expand access to autism assessments in our community. Through this collaboration, a member of the Virginia Tech team will be working on-site at our Abingdon office to provide diagnostic evaluations for children up to 17 years of age.

These assessments are being offered as part of a funded research project and are free of charge while grant funding remains available. This unique opportunity allows families in Southwest Virginia to access high-quality, research-based autism assessments close to home.

What is an Autism Assessment?

An autism assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that helps determine whether a child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This process typically involves:

  • A detailed developmental history
  • Interviews with parents or caregivers
  • Standardized testing and observational measures
  • Collaboration with professionals across disciplines

The goal is to provide families with greater clarity and support, as well as recommendations for resources, therapies, and interventions that may benefit their child.

Who is Eligible?

  • Children 17 years old or younger
  • Families living in Abingdon and the surrounding Southwest Virginia region
  • Individuals who may benefit from an evaluation for autism spectrum disorder

Because this program is part of a research initiative, availability is limited and funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why This Collaboration Matters

Healing Waters Counseling Center is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for children and families. By partnering with Virginia Tech’s Center for Autism Research, we can:

  • Increase access – Bringing free, high-quality autism assessments to rural and underserved communities.
  • Support families – Helping parents gain answers and direction when navigating developmental concerns.
  • Bridge research and care – Connecting families to the latest insights from one of Virginia’s leading autism research programs.
  • Build local resources – Strengthening the support network for children with autism and their families in Southwest Virginia.

This partnership is made possible through funding from The Rapha Foundation, Commonwealth Autism, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation, and the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia.

Schedule an Autism Assessment

If you believe your child may benefit from an autism evaluation, now is the perfect time to take the next step. With limited grant funding available, these free assessments will be offered while resources remain.

Contact Healing Waters Counseling Center today to learn more and schedule an appointment at our Abingdon office.

Request More Information
Healing Waters Counseling Center is excited to announce that our new office in Pennington Gap, VA is NOW OPEN! We are located at 185 Redwood Avenue, Suite 102-B, Pennington Gap, VA 24277! We are excited to continue to serve the mental health needs of our community through our new office.