Parents of Autistic Children

Originally, we were Parents for Autistic Children’s Education (PACE), a non-profit tax-exempt corporation formed in 1996 by concerned Northern Virginia parents of children with autism, whose students mostly attended Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The goal of PACE was to educate parents, school personnel, elected officials, and the general public about autism and effective, scientifically-validated interventions for children with autism. PACE’s activities included a focus on the intensive early interventions that are crucial for ensuring that children with autism reach their greatest potential. PACE’s other activities included a parent support group, sponsorship of medical, scientific, and educational speakers, educating parents about their legal rights, encouragement of parents to get involved in the education of their children, and the development of a charter school for children with autism.