James Madison University

Autism

Coordinates information and training for personnel in schools serving children with autism spectrum disorders. Provides support for, and participation on VA’s interagency autism council to improve services for individuals with autism from birth through adulthood.

Web sites:

www.ttaconline.org
www.autismtrainingva.org

Current Highlights

Autism E-News

Autism E-News is a quarterly electronic newsletter focusing on educational topics for students with autism. It also includes announcements on local workshops and conferences about autism. To subscribe to Autism E-News, go to: http://www.ttac.vt.edu/autism/sub_autism_enews.html

To read past issues, visit: http://www.ttac.vt.edu/autism/archived_enews.html

Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership (SVAP)
“Where parents and professionals come together for positive change”

As an affiliate of The Arc, SVAP is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including Asperger's disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, and other related disabilities. SVAP believes that every person with a developmental disability has the right to live, learn, and work in the most normal and least restrictive setting as possible. SVAP offers e-mail news, trainings, support, networking, and an annual conference in partnership with VDOE Region 5 T/TAC. For more information, visit www.valleyautism.org

Virginia Autism Council
http://www.autismtrainingva.org/

The Virginia Autism Council is a state-supported council of autism experts seeking to define needed skill competencies and to advance higher education, training, and educational opportunities for personnel and caregivers supporting individuals with autism. This Web site is Virginia ’s clearinghouse on best practices and research-based education and training opportunities to advance personnel development and knowledge regarding autism in Virginia .

Virginia Autism Council resources include:

  • Calendar of training
  • On-line course: “Fundamentals in Autism”
  • Skill competencies for professionals and paraprofessionals
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Collaborative efforts with state and local agencies
  • Autism educational materials

Autism Brochures

Two years ago during an Autism Interest Group meeting sponsored by the T/TAC @ VCU, Bradford Hulcher, a mother of a student with autism, told them how she helped the school staff learn more about her son. The group then brainstormed ways they could help their school’s staff understand more about autism. As a result, the T/TAC autism team developed two brochures that parents and educators can use to help others comprehend the complexities of autism. Since then, the VDOE Autism Priority Project team has revised these brochures. To print these brochures, click on the following link http://www.vcu.edu/ttac/autism and then click on the brochure of choice: What You Need to Know about Autism or What about Me?

Autism Manual
http://www.vcu.edu/ttac/autism/pdfs/Autism%20Resources.pdf

The Autism Manual originally compiled by the Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC) was updated in 2004 by the Virginia Department of Education’s Autism Priority Project team. It provides a wealth of information about resources relating to autism.