LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - A new statewide analysis shows hospitalizations for patients with autism nearly doubled in Virginia over the past four years.
When Cami Smith’s son Westin was first diagnosed with autism in kindergarten, she says it left her family unsure of where to turn.
“We started knowing nothing about autism, neurodivergence, even where to begin. It was a very overwhelming feeling to receive a diagnosis, but also it was so comforting at the same time to have an answer for some of the things he was experiencing,” said Smith.
Westin is now in 8th grade. His journey, his mom says, has been shaped by the services he’s received at Centra’s Autism and Developmental Center.
“It changed Westin’s life. He has grown into this confident, successful student and boy and, you know, he kn