NEWS

Our Sarah Dooley Center for Autism students had a great time at The Steward School’s Field Day held on May 25th.  A fun-filled morning playing kickball, volleyball, baseball, and ping pong, as well as face painting, cookie decorating, and exploring science stations made it a day to remember. Community partners enable us to help students engage with their […]

Children on the autism spectrum, especially those on the milder side often want to make friends, but have trouble picking up on social cues, such as body language, hand gestures, figures of speech and facial expressions. Kids with autism may also portray behavior and use language that other kids perceive as odd or unusual. These […]

Parents often wonder what school is best for their child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The truth is that different schools are the right fit for different students. Public or private isn’t nearly as important as how the people at the school interact with your child. Some children with Autism thrive in a public school […]

The transition to middle school can be filled with uncertainty, anxiety and apprehension, especially for those with Autism and their parents. While change is scary, it is also necessary for growth, progress and opportunity. The good news is that with proper planning there are several things you can do to ease your child’s stress (not […]

In partnership with the VCU Department of Psychiatry and Virginia Treatment Center for Children, St. Joseph’s Villa will present a two-day clinical training workshop on using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2). The workshop will be held April 25-26, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. each day at St. Joseph’s Villa (8000 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227), during […]

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, […]