VARC
The Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC)
VARC offers a self-paced online course on working with persons with Autism.
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VARC Mission
The Virginia Autism Resource Center at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Autism Center for Excellence is a statewide resource center dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
Through integrative research, outreach and collaborative initiatives, VARC promotes and facilitates best practices for those diagnosed within the autism spectrum. Information, resources, and education and training help parents, educators, service providers and medical professionals provide effective support from early childhood through adulthood. VARC is also committed to providing resources for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Visit the following Web sites listed below to learn more about how you can support and guide people with autism spectrum disorders.
VARC Partners
Virginia Information and Referral
- Commonwealth Autism— Information, referral and consultative services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Virginia Autism Council— Virginia’s clearinghouse on research-based education and training opportunities in the area of autism spectrum disorder
- Autism Speaks: Family Services Resources— Provides a list of resources and service providers in the state of Virginia
- Autism Society Central Virginia— This ASA chapter serves the areas of Amelia, Chesterfield, Charles City, Richmond, Colonial Heights, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Louisa, Petersburg, and Powhatan
- National Autism Society
Consultation and Technical Assistance
- Commonwealth Autism— Information, referral and consultative services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Virginia Department of Education’s Training/Technical Assistance Centers— Instruction and assistance for schools throughout the state
Education Services
Infants and Toddlers
- Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia— Early intervention supports and services for infants and toddlers from birth through age 2
School-aged Children (3 to 22 years old)
- Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Special Education and Student Services— Information on special education, services for students, instruction and dispute resolution
- Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Special Education and Student Services: Transition services for students with disabilities— Transition services for students with disabilities
State Agencies
- Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Special Education and Student Services— Information on special education, services for students, instruction and dispute resolution
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services— State agency responsible for administering federal funds for services for persons with disabilities, such as Medicaid
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services— Administers state funds for persons with developmental disabilities, mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse issues
- Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services— State vocational rehabilitation agency that provides and advocates for quality services that maximize employment and inclusion
Home and Community-Based Services
- Virginia Association of Community Services Boards— Lists the community services boards that provide developmental disabilities, mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services throughout the state
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services waivers— Instruction and assistance for schools throughout the state
- Day Support Waiver
- Developmental Disabilities Waiver
- Mental Retardation Waiver
- My Life, My Community
- REACH— Crisis prevention, intervention, and stabilization system supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
Medical Information
- American Academy of Pediatrics— Information on autism spectrum disorder provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention— Information on autism provided by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information and Advocacy
- Autism Society of America— National autism advocacy organization that works to improve the lives of all affected by autism
- Autism Speaks— Autism advocacy organization that works to fund research and raise public awareness
- Organization for Autism Research— Organization’s guidebook offers information on autism, including research and resources related to appropriate service delivery
- The Arc— Advocacy organization for the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Center for Independent Living in Virginia— Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide services to individuals with significant disabilities as well as to the local community at large
- "I'm Determined"— This VDOE project focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior for youths with disabilities
Instructional Strategies
- Association for Behavior Analysis— Organization that supports the growth of behavior analysis through research, education and practice
- Autism Internet Modules— Training on evidence-based intervention strategies
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board— Information on becoming a certified behavior analyst
- Division TEACCH— Treatment and education of autistic and related communication-handicapped children
- Pyramid Educational Consultants— Organization’s Picture Exchange Communication System teaches children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate communication
- University of California at Santa Barbara Koegel Autism Center— Pivotal response training interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)— Information on the Relationship Development model of intervention
- Use Visual Strategies— A website that provides information on the use of visual strategies to provide support and increase independence
- National Standards Project— The National Standards Project is a set of standards being developed by the National Autism Center outlining effective, research-validated education and behavioral intervention for individuals with ASD
Identification and Diagnosis
- First Hundred Days Kit— This website provides a kit for parents who have children newly diagnosed with ASD
- First Signs— This website provides information regarding the early signs of ASD
- Parent Playbook— Self-paced online course designed for parents and caregivers who have children identified with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Kennedy Krieger First Signs Modules— Free video tutorial on the early signs of ASD
- Partnership for People with Disabilities— Partnership that develops effective and enduring systems of care for individuals with disabilities and their families
- M/CHAT— The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
- The Arc— Advocacy organization for the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Family Support Groups
- Autism Society Central Virginia— ASCV provides direct services and supports to families and professionals involved with autism
- Community Services Board— Links to community service boards throughout Virginia
- The Arc— Advocacy organization for the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Virginia Autism Resource Center is funded by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Grant #720-4652