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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a autism can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Autism therapy

What is autism therapy?

Autism therapy treats the symptoms and needs of those with autism spectrum disorder. The ultimate goal of autism therapy is to improve a child’s functioning and support development and learning.

How does autism therapy work?

Often, multiple therapy types from the providers at Thriveworks in Blacksburg, VA are incorporated into autism therapy. Individual needs might include reducing problematic behaviors, building social skills, improving communication, and addressing emotional challenges.

Is autism therapy conducted in person or online?

Autism therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does autism therapy last?

Every child is unique and their treatment plan with our Blacksburg therapists will be tailored to their specific needs, meaning the length of therapy for autism can vary. That said, most kids with autism attend autism therapy for two years.

Need more help deciding?

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) affects the development of communication and behavior. Because of the way society runs, ASD can negatively impact a child’s social and academic life, their future career, and their ability to become independently functioning adults. However, this does not mean children with ASD have to live a “lesser” life! With a little extra help and guidance, children with ASD can thrive in their worlds.

At Thriveworks Blacksburg, we have a specialist therapist trained in autism therapy who is passionate about walking alongside those with autism so they can life fulfilling, happy lives just as well as those without ASD. Reach out today to schedule an autism counseling appointment.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

In the psychology field, autism is classified as a developmental disorder. Basically, this means it has a strong genetic base and symptoms begin during childhood. Autism in specific is a disorder that affects how children see the world and interact with it. Usually they will have trouble interacting with peers and challenges in a school setting.

Thriveworks Blacksburg wants to stress that children and adults with autism are no less capable of leading a successful life than neurotypicals (those without autism). The definition of “success” might have to be tweaked a little, and there will no doubt be challenges along the way, but at the end of the day, autism is not a curse. It is a unique perspective of the world that can make things difficult, but not impossible.

So, what are the signs of autism? Usually symptoms begin to show around age 2 and are pretty noticeable. If you think your child may have autism, look for these signs:

  • Inability to make eye contact
  • Poor listening skills
  • Doesn’t seem to express emotion (not a lot of smiling or laughing. Facial expressions may not change often.)
  • Failure to respond or lapse in response when their name is called
  • Difficulty holding a conversation
  • Intense, focused interest in one topic
  • Difficulty reading contextual clues and tone of voice
  • Repetitive speech or actions (repeating words or phrases, one specific movement that is repeated)
  • Difficulty adapting to change of routine or need to have things stay the same
  • Acute sensitivity to light, texture, noise, or taste
  • Disturbances in sleep patterns
  • Preference for older companions, difficulty relating to peers.

These are just some of the more common autism symptoms. It is a very diverse and complicated disorder, so every person will exhibit symptoms differently! As the name suggests, it is also a spectrum. So, each person will experience symptoms with varying degrees of severity.

What Is Autism Therapy?

Since every case of ASD is unique, so is every therapy journey. The age of the person, gender, and symptoms will affect the exact path a counseling session takes. Blacksburg Thriveworks believes in a client-first practice that focuses on what your goals are. We are professionals, and have years of experience to draw upon, but at the end of the day, therapy is about you. Getting you and your child to a place where you are both thriving is our goal. Together, we can get there.

Of course, there are some common threads between autism therapy sessions. In a session, a Thriveworks Blacksburg counselor might:

  • Work with the school to get in-class aid
  • Develop communication skills
  • Work with parents to adapt to the child’s unique needs (like sensitivities to changing plans or texture, for example)
  • Practice physical therapy (managing repetitive behavior)
  • Develop behavioral management skills
  • Practice occupational therapy (teaching children and adults how to do basic life skills like getting dressed or brushing their teeth)

Scheduling Autism Therapy at Thriveworks Blacksburg

An autism diagnosis can be scary and confusing. Where do you even start? Is there hope? What’s the next step? Thriveworks Blacksburg wants to assure you that yes, there is hope, and plenty of it! Autism is not preventable or curable, but it is manageable, and does not have to be a hinderance to a great life. Yes, life will be different for those with autism, but different is not always bad. With a Thriveworks Blacksburg Autism specialist, different can thrive.

Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment. We offer evening and weekend sessions, provide same-week appointments to new clients, and accept most major insurances.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Blacksburg therapists and counselors accept 34 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Connecticut | BCBS

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

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Self-pay costs at Blacksburg
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.7 Thriveworks Blacksburg reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Read more So nice, reassuring, helpful for what I needed. Explained everything very well. I feel I don’t have a bunch of questions I should have asked.
Blacksburg May 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Read more Turns out our councilor in Blacksburg is working out great! This was a good idea. Highly recommend! Kudo's to Kelly.
Blacksburg Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Read more We have been providing the billing services to Thriveworks Blacksburgs for a good period of time now, we have had excellent professional relationship with all the staff there. They are true professional, always provide us the helping hand. And are very efficient is providing response to any query of questions. It is truly amazing working with them.
Blacksburg Jun 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Read more When I arrived at the Blacksburg office for counseling I got a peaceful feeling. The paper work was not daunting and my counselor greeted me in a friendly and professional manner.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Read more I appreciated the location of the Blacksburg office. It's a pleasant place, just off the highway and feels safe. While I waited I was met by pleasant staff and refreshments.
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Read more The waiting room was so inviting and the counselor had recognized me that made me feel very comfortable. I was tense from the unknown of therapy and it was so good to be "humanized."
Blacksburg Aug 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Read more I met the Thriveworks owner to inquire about the services offered. She was very helpful with her answers, she was very patient as she gave me her time and focus, and made me feel entirely at "home."
Blacksburg Apr 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Close to downtown Blacksburg and easy to get a hold of. Just what is needed for this area.
Blacksburg Dec 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

We share a building with several other businesses including Fresenius Kidney Care Montgomery County, the Islamic Center of Blacksburg, and Thermostats Service and Repair Company. Next door to us Robinson, Farmer, and Cox Associates, an account service. Nearby is also a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and Park Commercial Realty.

Phone number

(540) 361-6270

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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