Adolescents and Young Adults
Resources for Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults
Academic Support
Young adults/college students
- Virginia Tech Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) – The department at Virginia Tech which provides numerous accommodations, services, and resources for students with disabilities and temporary injuries or illnesses. VT students must register with the SSD office to begin the process of seeking accommodations.
- Virginia Tech Writing Center – The VT library offers free online live (synchronous) or asynchronous tutoring for writing to VT students. You can make appointments with tutors to help you with your communication skills, including written assignments and conversational support.
- Contact: jlwrnc@vt.edu (Jennifer Lawrence, director)
- "Tips for Autistic Students: How to Read Academic STEM Articles” – A guide to help college students learn to read advanced scientific articles that are commonly required in college.
- “Autistic and Unsure About How to Approach Your Professors?” – A 2.5 minute video of how to approach your college professors when you need help.
- Learning Rights of Students in Postsecondary Schools – A resource for understanding autistic adults’ rights and protections for college including fact sheets and links to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
- More information: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/resources/students-with-autism/ (you will need to scroll down to the section heading “Learning Rights of Students in Postsecondary Schools” about halfway down the page)
Adolescents/high school students
- Going to College – A collection of short readings and videos for adolescents to prepare for college; topics include discovering unique learning styles and personal strengths, setting goals and becoming a self-advocate, learning about what living on campus will be like and how to get accommodations, choosing and applying to the right college, and taking high school standardized tests.
- STEMABILITY – VT summer 2-day program for rising college students with disabilities who are interested in a career in science and engineering.
- Faison Center College 101 Program – Program that provides high school students a two-week overnight college experience on the University of Richmond campus supported by trained professionals from the university and the Faison Center.
Psychological Support
- VT Autism Clinic (VTAC) at the Psychological Services Center (PSC) – Virginia Tech run clinic that provides psychological services including assessments, individual treatment, and group therapy and support groups for autistic adults.
- Contact: 540-231-6914 or brlipes@vt.edu
- Cook Counseling Center – Virginia Tech run mental health counseling center that provides psychological services including group and individual counseling and psychiatric care for individuals of all levels of need in the Virginia Tech community.
- Contact: 540-231-6557
- New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) – A Blacksburg based counseling center that provides services for people of all needs.
- Contact: (540) 961-8300
- REACH Region III – A Virginia statewide crisis system for individuals with a developmental disability who are experiencing crisis events. They provide 24/7 crisis assessment and intervention, post-crisis mobile/community-based direct services, intervention planning and education, and limited residential stay for adults. Region III serves southwest VA including New River Valley.
- Non-emergency contact: 540-267-3435 or info@swvareach.org
- Hotline for crisis: (855) 887-8278
- GRASP – “Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership” is a non-profit organization that provides services and coaching for individuals and their families.
- Contact: 1.888.474.7277 or info@grasp.org
Social Support
- “How Autistic Students Can Start Campus Clubs to Develop Friendships and Support Networks" – A how-to guide for autistic college students to start their own student-led, spectrum focused "club" on campus.
- Sexuality and ASD with Dr. Eileen Crehan – A podcast episode and video webinar of a Tufts University professor, researcher, and clinical psychologist speaking about sexuality and autism, the importance of being pro-active about sexuality, and recommendations.
- Wrong Planet – An online forum for autistic people to discuss a variety of interests and topics.
Employment Support
- Hire Autism – A jobs portal that lists local employment opportunities and offers workplace resources for individuals (16 years and up) on the spectrum. They aim to provide job-seekers with meaningful employment opportunities commensurate with their skills. Employers using Hire Autism are specifically looking for individuals with autism because of their unique talents and qualities. Applicants will need to create an account to get started.
- Ability Links – A national job search engine that highlight companies who have experience hiring and working with neurodiverse individuals.
- Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center – A non-profit organization based in Fishersville, VA that provides individuals 14 years or older with vocational training and pre-employment readiness support.
- Contact: 540-332-7000
- One-Stop Centers – Centers available to anyone in the community seeking employment, including individuals with ASD and other disabilities. Provides an array of services including vocational training and job placement services.
- Employment Services and Special Programs – A list of 85 community rehabilitation programs in Virginia that are approved by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to provide an array of employment related services to individuals with disabilities. The organizations, known by DARS as Employment Service Organizations (ESOs), operate primarily for the purpose of providing employment and vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. Such services may be provided separately or in combination with other rehabilitation services.
General Support
- VCU Autism Center for Excellence – A collective guide for adolescents as they transition to adulthood. Includes webcasts, seminars, and other links. Appropriate for adolescents, parents/caregivers, and professionals.
- Autism Friendly Services – Autism Speaks has a list of over 400 autism friendly services for autistic people over 18 years old.
- Autism Speaks Roadmaps for Young-Adults - Review information related to housing, self-empowerment, employment and transition to college and search for additional life-stage roadmaps.
Resources for Parents of Autistic Adolescents and Young Adults
Academic Support
- Virginia Tech Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) – The office at Virginia Tech that provides VT students of any disabilities problem solve personal and environmental issues that may interfere with full access to academic and/or hinder academic performance. Their services include: academic coaching, academic relief/suspension appeal, standardized testing, and career development.
- Learning Rights of Students in Postsecondary Schools – A resource for understanding autistic adults’ rights and protections for college including fact sheets and links to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
- More information: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/resources/students-with-autism/ (you will need to scroll down to the section heading “Learning Rights of Students in Postsecondary Schools” about halfway down the page)
- The Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) – The US Department of Education provides grants to higher education institutions (e.g., Virginia Tech) to create model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Program services can include: academic enrichment, socialization, independent living skills, self-advocacy skills, and work and employment experiences and skill development.
- “The Academic World” – An introduction to preparing parents and caregivers on how to navigate higher education for their autistic child.
Psychological Support
- VT Autism Clinic (VTAC) at the Psychological Services Center (PSC) – Virginia Tech run clinic that provides psychological services including assessments, individual treatment, and group therapy and support groups for autistic adults and their families.
- Contact: 540-231-6914 or brlipes@vt.edu
- GRASP – “Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership” is a New York non-profit organization that provides services and coaching for individuals and their families.
- Contact: 1.888.474.7277 or info@grasp.org
- Blue Ridge Independent Living Center – A Roanoke, VA based non-profit community agency with non-residential programs for individuals with disabilities. They offer information, referrals, housing assistance, employment services, transition assistance, support groups, and assistive technology.
- Contact: (540) 342-1231
- Strengthening Our System, Inc – A Floyd, VA based for-profit community agency for children and adults with disabilities including intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities.
- Contact: 540-585-4078
Social Support
- Sexuality and ASD with Dr. Eileen Crehan – A podcast episode and video webinar of a Tufts University professor, researcher, and clinical psychologist speaking about sexuality and autism, the importance of being pro-active about sexuality, and recommendations.
General Support
- VCU Autism Center for Excellence – A collective guide for adolescents as their transition to adulthood. Includes webcasts, seminars, and other links. Appropriate for adolescents, parents/caregivers, and professionals.
- Autism Speaks – Tool kits for families of autistic adults. Topics include developing self-advocacy skills, planning for transition, developing independent living skills, seeking postsecondary educational and employment opportunities, housing and residential supports, and health. These resources are available for free via PDF download.
- Autism Friendly Services – Autism Speaks has a list of over 400 autism friendly services for autistic people over 18 years old.
- Interactive Autism Network (IAN) – Resource guide for families of young adults with information on topics including: school transition, employment, housing, health care, relationships.
Academic Support
- Virginia Tech Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) – The office at Virginia Tech that provides VT students of any disabilities accommodations and services. Virginia Tech faculty members and departments have the responsibility to assist students with disabilities and the SSD office has developed resources to do so.
- Virginia Tech Accessible Technologies Office – This resource provides education and support for assistive technologies to individuals with a documented need for disability accommodations at VT. This office works with the university's ADA & Accessibility Services and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). There are available teaching resources for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students to learn about assistive technology, and a professional development program for faculty, staff and graduate students related to classroom accessibility.
- Main website: https://www.assist.vt.edu/
- Learning Rights of Students in Postsecondary Schools – A resource for understanding autistic adults’ rights and protections for college including fact sheets and links to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
- More information: https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/resources/students-with-autism/ (you will need to scroll down to the section heading “Learning Rights of Students in Postsecondary Schools” about halfway down the page)
- The Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) – The US Department of Education provides grants to higher education institutions (e.g., Virginia Tech) to create model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Program services can include: academic enrichment, socialization, independent living skills, self-advocacy skills, and work and employment experiences and skill development.
- More information: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/tpsid/index.html
- “Autism 101: Autism Cultural Responsiveness for Improved Interactions” – An article for college instructors to learn how to be more effective educators for their autistic students.
General Information
- VCU Autism Center for Excellence – A collective guide for adolescents as their transition to adulthood. Includes webcasts, seminars, and other links. Appropriate for adolescents, parents/caregivers, and professionals.
Virginia State and Local Agencies for Adults with Disabilities
- Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) – Employment planning and access to funding for employment services and supports.
- The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) – This state agency is the agency responsible for providing leadership and guidance to community public and private agencies that provide services to individuals with behavioral and developmental disabilities.
- Community Services Boards (CSBs) and Community Behavioral Health Authorities (BHAs) – Local community agencies charged with providing case management, and distribution of local, state, and federal funds for services to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health disabilities. Many CSBs and BHAs also provide direct services in employment and housing for individuals with behavioral and developmental disabilities. Some individuals with ASD are eligible for services based on their additional diagnoses and needs.