moving to Appalachia, VA (Bristol, Radford: for sale, to rent, house)

[cmeszaros]

My family ias thinking of relocating to Appalachia and our son has autism. I was wondering if anyone has any information on the education system there.

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by cmeszaros

My family ias thinking of relocating to Appalachia and our son has autism. I was wondering if anyone has any information on the education system there.

Were in Appalachia exactly? I think there is a place called Blue Ridge Autism center.

[cmeszaros]

My friend has a house for sale in wise county.

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by cmeszaros

My friend has a house for sale in wise county.

I work for a human services organization and to be honest that part of the state isn't exactly world renowned for their services to people with limitations. However, I recomend you to contact these guys and thay can probably answer some of your questions.
Home


If your son is receiving any Medicaid funded waiver services and you guys are moving from another state, he will most likely loose them.
Bristol is a city on the Virginia, Tennessee border. I have met families who “moved across town” not really thinking about that they were technically moving to a different state with different laws and services for people with limitations.

Lynn Adams at Radford University heads their Autism Center (540) 831-7637.
Ann Hillenbrand works there as well (540) 831-5324
I am not sure they serve Wise County or not, BUT they can probably answer your questions.

[escape artist]

I am new here and I found a paper at a store I visit in Chattanooga, called Appalachian Voice. It looks like they are trying to make things expensive in some ways. My problem is...I had seizures for 40 of 44 years and they removed the left amygdala, part of the hippocampus and scar tissue and I became seizure free for the first time in my life. A year and a half. Powerwalked 11 years, ate healthy, nothing from cans, and was working on art I had been hired to draw of a store front by a business that had seen an old Victorian home I spent 20 hours on. I was standing at a pedestrian crosswalk waiting for the light to change and heard a LOUD crash. Was hit by a red van and head went through the windshield and pulverized my left knee, etc, and I landed 50 feet they reported in the Taco Bell parking lot, my head taking yet another blow. They have done research on my brain since I have developed Complex PTSD and mild TBI and just published an article in a medical journal because of my case being unique.I hope they will find out what they can do to help PTSD because the soldiers are already needing it badly. I have sirens all day and night. Nightmares, flashbacks, etc. I have been trying to find a place to move to that is quiet and nature but I would have to rent. I don't ask for much and just would like a rustic cabin with heat and air or small house. I still go over to the campus to sit and draw and paint and make my own walking sticks, the aluminum ones do not hold my balance. Would you know who I would need to contact to get info for the e. TN. area around Reliance, TN.?

[tamlee7]

I hope you get a chance to read this, I know I am posting late but just came across this post.
DO NOT come to Wise County if you have a special needs child. My husband and I have lived in different parts of Virginia, and moved to SW Virginia 2 years ago for a job change. We have several children. The programs in these counties are rated poor, in my opinion. You would better serve your child elsewhere. The educational systems were a shock to us in their poor quality, and now I homeschool in the evenings and weekends, summers to make up for the lack of education they receive. I would be suprised if you actually came across someone who was educated enough in Autistic needs children to help your child appropriately. I hope you understand this is only one opinion from someone who is an outsider to the area, but this is the way it is. Good luck in finding a school system that can help your child. I don't know what your reasons for coming to Wise are, whether job or family, but Washington County schools in Abingdon, Va, not far from Wise, might be a much better choice.