Virginia Autism Project
  • Home
  • About & Gallery
  • Current Legislation
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Action Alerts
  • More
    • Home
    • About & Gallery
    • Current Legislation
    • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Donate
    • Action Alerts
Virginia Autism Project
  • Home
  • About & Gallery
  • Current Legislation
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Action Alerts

Our Trusted Advocacy and Milestones

In 2008 a small group of parents networked with each other and met in the Roanoke area at a private home. They agreed to form the Virginia Autism Project. In 2009 of the non-profit Virginia Autism Project (VAP), along with Autism Speaks, led a multi-year, grassroots, statewide coalition of families to push for Autism Insurance Reform in Virginia. This effort culminated in the 2011 signing of a bill by the then Governor of Virginia, Robert McDonnell, to mandate insurance coverage for the therapies associated with a diagnosis of autism up to 6 years of age. Later, the group worked to amend the law to mandate insurance coverage through age 10. Ultimately the autism community worked together to lift the age cap entirely off of the Virginia law mandating insurance coverage for a diagnosis of autism.


Over the years, VAP has led efforts to pass legislation or, teamed with other strong autism advocacy groups, on bills that improve the lives of autistics and their families in Virginia.

These include:


  • The Designated Support Person law for disabled hospitalized Virginians.
  • Changing Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements under Medicaid for live-in attendants.
  • Pushing for criminal justice reform and decriminalizing developmental disabilities.
  • Including evidence of a defendant’s ID/DD diagnosis in the judicial process,
  • Protecting funding for private special education day schools following JLARC’s report.

  • Revitalizing the Autism Advisory Council.
  • Requiring training about autism for law enforcement first responders.
  • Ensuring SSDI income will not cause someone to lose their Medicaid Waiver.
  • Advocating for parents who are caregivers of minor children, also known as legally responsible individuals, to be paid as attendants.
  • Advocating for an Autism Advisory Council to be revitalized and elevated to an Autism Commission
  • Helping to form the Virginia Autism Advocacy Alliance (VAAA)

See Our Projects Come to Life

    In Memoriam

    Missing a Piece

    On April 26, 2015 a vital "tour de force" of our community and founding member of the Virginia Autism Project left us. It's hard to put into words what John Maloney meant to those of us that worked with him but we know how he felt about individuals with autism, such as his own son, Jack. John was nothing less than a trailblazer in our community and we have felt the sting of his absence. We carry on and hold his memory dearly in our hearts. 

    LAG

    Join Our Mailing List

    Virginia Autism Project

    Copyright © 2025, Virginia Autism Project. All Rights Reserved.

    Powered by

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    Accept