NEWS

All parents worry about how to prepare their teens for life in the real world, however parents of kids on the Autism spectrum worry even more than most. How will they earn a living? How will they manage their finances? Where will they live? How will they maintain social relationships? These are just a few […]

Autism Awareness Month is an especially important time for us.  St. Joseph’s Villa has provided education and care to children and families facing autism for more than 30 years. Our programs are designed to help students with autism build life skills that will enable them to engage with their community, and live as fully and […]

The rain didn’t stop our students from starting spring break with some fun egg hunts and treats!  We wish all of our students and their families and safe and happy vacation.           Thanks to our generous community partners for donating baskets and filled eggs for our students to enjoy! Capital One Lender Select The […]

Sending your child off to college for the first time makes every parent nervous, but that concern is greatly magnified for parents of children with Asperger’s. Parents of kids with AS often worry how their children will handle academic challenges, as well as social and emotional pressures. No parent wants to set their child up […]

People with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often struggle with sensory stimulation and may be particularly sensitive to noise. While no single type of sensory problem is consistently connected with ASD, audiologist have found that people on the autism spectrum may hear sounds differently than the general population. They are commonly hypersensitive (overly sensitive) to sound, […]

Many parents wonder if they should let their teen with Asperger’s get a job. You may be worried about how your teen will handle the responsibility, pressure and skill that is required of an employee. Part-time jobs can have many benefits for those with Asperger’s Syndrome; a job can help develop social skills, ease the […]

Collegiate School’s Community Engagement Week turned out to be a very special time for Sarah Dooley Center for Autism students. From February 8-12, thirteen Collegiate School freshmen volunteers spent five full school days assisting our students from kindergarten all the way up to high school.  Collegiate students split up among Sarah Dooley’s grade levels and chose […]

One of the most distinguishing aspects of the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism is our priority of giving students learning experiences out in the community.  Our students learn how to interact with people and behave in settings like the Children’s Museum, increasing their probability for meaningful community engagement and independence as they grow.  And, it […]

Transitioning to a new school is a big change for any child, but for those on the Autism spectrum, it can be particularly stressful. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often struggle with change, as “difficulties with transition” is actually a symptom of ASD. The good news is, with a little planning and preparation you […]

As any parent knows, raising a child is rewarding but does not come without challenges and tough decisions. Parents of children with autism face additional challenges such as understanding their child’s unique needs, teaching important life skills and providing an education. While public school systems in Virginia are required to provide education for students with […]