Resources

Welcome to the Resources section of the VCU-ACE website!

The world of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is constantly evolving and autism is anything but simple to navigate. Because of the complexity of ASD, we have divided our resources into eleven different sections. ASD never impacts just one part of life, and it is more than just something with which young children struggle. Autism is pervasive. It impacts every facet of life throughout the entire lifespan, from infancy to adulthood. While there are indeed many challenges for the individual with ASD, no matter their age or ability there are also strategies that can help the individual cope with what can seem like a very chaotic world. There are strategies to help the individual communicate more effectively or to develop and strengthen relationships. There are educational strategies to help the student succeed in the classroom and reach his or her potential. There is support we can provide to adults with ASD in the modern workforce that will help them find meaningful careers. There are things we can do to help this chaotic world seem a little less chaotic. All of us at the VCU Autism Center for Excellence truly believe there are ways to improve the quality of life for every individual with ASD.

Throughout the Resources section, you will find web links, guides, factsheets, agency information, trainings, videos, and research articles to help you support individuals with ASD. We offer the following sections for families, educators, providers, professionals, community members, and of course, the individual with ASD:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
  What does it mean and where do I start?
• Screening and Diagnosis
  How is a child screened or diagnosed with ASD?
• Evidence-Based Practices
  What does it mean and how can it help the individual with ASD?
• Communication
  What is it, why is it important, and what tools are available to help?
• Early Intervention
  What is it and what can it do for the very young child with ASD?
• Families
  What supports are there to help families raising a child with ASD?
• Eligibility and the School Aged Child
  What is eligibility and how can I help the student with ASD?
• Adolescence and ASD
  What are the needs and supports for the adolescent with ASD?
• Adults with ASD
  How does Autism impact adulthood and what can I do to support the adult with ASD?
• Technology and ASD
  How can technology help the individual with ASD?
• Smartphone Technology and ASD
  What's new in Smartphone Technology and how can it help the individual with ASD?

We encourage you to explore these Resource Pages and to contact us if you still have questions or if you need additional resources. You can reach us at autismcenter@vcu.edu and toll-free at 855-711-6987. Please also investigate the opportunities for Professional Development that VCU-ACE offers, including webcasts, seminars, online courses, and live trainings. Many of these correspond to the Resource topics listed above.

In addition, VCU-ACE has developed Factsheets and Briefs on numerous topics that may be helpful to individuals with ASD and those who support them. You can see the entire list and download and print the documents from the ACE website.

The Virginia Autism Resource Center (VARC) at Virginia Commonwealth University houses a lending library that offers a wide variety of materials and information. The extensive lending library offers more than 1,000 books and 200 videotapes on topics related to autism spectrum disorders. Anyone residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia is eligible to check out items from the lending library and borrowing from the library is free. If you have questions, please contact VARC at info@varc.org or toll-free at 877-667-7771.