Key Learning Autism Center

We loved seeing everyone at the 2026 Autism Caregivers Connection Conference! 💜 🗝️

Autism doesn’t disappear because funding is too low. A child’s developmental needs don’t stop because insurance reimbursement rates create a workforce shortage.

Children with autism struggling to access therapy; advocates call on WV leaders to address Medicaid • West Virginia Watch Advocates for West Virginia children with autism are calling on state officials to address a significant shortage of therapy workers.

WV ABA therapy reimbursement rates are the lowest in the country! Federal funding is 82% of total Medicaid spending in West Virginia. It is one of the highest federally subsidized Medicaid programs in the country. There is a direct correlation with the shortage of ABA providers and long waitlists for ABA Therapy.

West Virginia Medicaid ABA Rates: CPT 97153 & Workforce Shortage West Virginia pays $9.90/unit for CPT 97153—the lowest Medicaid ABA rate in the country—driving a BCBA workforce crisis across 44 unserved counties.

Keeping KLAC a clean and safe environment means we go through A LOT of cleaning supplies! We’re sharing our daily cleaning supply wishlist for anyone who would like to help us keep KLAC sparkling! Every item is truly appreciated! 🧽🫧✨

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3JS7W8OV10799/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Check out the awesome T-shirts from
Bulldog Graphix LLC !

Proud of our capstone students from WVU PSYCH. Looking forward to new students arriving this week!

This is Amazing! 🤩

Pace Enterprises, Inc. has just opened Pace Place in Morgantown, WV to offer affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities!

Pace Place contains 12 studio apartments in a secured building with a live-in manager on site. Life skills classes, employment training, and case management as needed are also available for residents.

Who can apply to live at Pace Place?
- Adults 18 and older with a qualifying physical, developmental, or intellectual disability.
- Must have a valid ID.
- Income restrictions apply.

Learn more: https://paceenterprises.org/pace-place/
View the application: https://forms.gle/4PsQu6FKgJt7Ygqh8

PACE Enterprises, Inc.

Attn: Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) living in West Virginia.

We're excited to invite you and your child to participate in a research study exploring how stress, puberty, and behavior are connected in children ages 7-13 who have ASD.

Research goals:
- Explore how stress hormones (cortisol) relate to behavior differences by age and gender in children with ASD.
- Examine how stages of puberty may influence cortisol levels and behavior.
- Test whether cortisol affects the relationship between age/puberty and changes in behavior.

What does participation involve?
- Completing a behavior questionnaire.
- Providing your child's cortisol samples (by rubbing inside mouth cheek with cotton swab).
- Sending materials to the WVU research team.

Why does your participation matter?
Your involvement will help us better understand how stress and puberty impact behavior in children with ASD. This knowledge may help guide future supports for healthy development.

Want to participate or learn more?
Reach out to Dr. Lesley Cottrell at 304-293-2914 or [email protected]

This study has been approved by the WVU Institutional Review Board (IRB).

WVU Health Sciences
WV Developmental Disabilities Council