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.