NEWS

A good school for autism will meet your child’s academic, emotional, and social needs. However, you also want to ensure that the school offers five essential services. These services offer a wide range of assistance for children from preschool to age 21 or older. The 5 Essential Autism School Services Autism school services prioritize your […]

The right school nurtures a child with autism and helps him or her thrive. With specialized supports and other helpful tools, this educational setting can meet your child’s academic, behavioral, social, and other needs and prepare him or her for life as an adult. For these reasons, you may decide to select a specialty school […]

Every school day used to be the same for Joey. He would come to school with a very fixed set of interests, and when those were taken away, he would respond with severe, aggressive behaviors. Trusting relationships weren’t part of his experience. Then Joey began at the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism at St. Joseph’s […]

Caregivers of children with autism often become experts in areas they’d never considered before. If there’s one thing they become intimately acquainted with, it’s their child’s individualized education plan (IEP). IEPs take into account a child’s social, cognitive and occupational abilities, and identify a plan to help a child reach particular goals. Formulating a good […]

Understanding how to treat Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be as overwhelming as understanding the condition itself. The fact is, no two cases of ASD are the same, so no two treatment plans will be the same, either. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is commonly used to treat ASD. ABA for autism gives therapists and caregivers […]

St. Joseph’s Villa began a new chapter in its 185-year history as we launched construction on the home of our new Sarah Dooley Center for Autism. With the help of Odell architects and contractor Daniel & Company, the 24,000 sq. ft. Dooley School building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility that combines pioneering education, […]

Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial by Adam Dreyfus, Senior Director, Sarah Dooley Center for Autism at St. Joseph’s Villa April is National Autism Awareness Month, and while science still has unanswered questions around what causes autism, there is much we do understand. We know what autism is; we know how to treat it; and we can celebrate how […]

Every person with autism will face social, communication, and behavior challenges, and they will need ongoing assistance and support. However, autism is a developmental disorder that’s a spectrum, meaning children with autism may experience mild, moderate, or severe symptoms and impairments. Understanding Differences In Moderate To Severe Autism As the parent of a child with […]

Autism is a spectrum that includes mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. In general, a person’s level of autism is determined by his or her level of functioning and the level of support required for the individual to remain safe. What Is Severe Autism? Severe autism, also known as low-functioning autism or profound autism, is the […]

Teacher Michelle Hughey has changed hundreds of lives at our Sarah Dooley Center for Autism over the past 13 years. For her unrelenting dedication and compassion, NBC12 surprised her with their Excellence in Education Award. Michelle gives her all to every student and makes the most of every teachable moment. She works with some of […]