VT Center for Autism Research
Photo credit: Brent Clark
Welcome to the
Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for autistic individuals and their families through *intervention, education, and research directed towards effective services.
We strongly support neurodiversity and acknowledge varying preferences regarding language among self-advocates within the autism and broader community. Please let us know your preference for identity-first (i.e., "autistic individual") or person-first language (i.e., "individual with autism/ASD") when we meet.
The VT Autism Clinic operates as a training clinic for graduate students. Our research is conducted through the VT Center for Autism Research. Our current research efforts are:
- Develop and test the feasibility of a model for autism service provision by offering assessments and professional development for educators
- Development of a hybrid mentoring program for autistic STEM undergraduate students and establish a pipeline from-graduation-to-work with industry partners
- EmotionAIze - Empathy-Driven Interactive Human-AI System for Countering Negative-Self Talk for Autistic Individuals
- Machine learning in AI to better understand collaboration between autistic and non-autistic individuals in the workplace
- Designing AI as a Mental Health Resource for Autistic Adults: Enhancing Therapeutic Approaches with Multimodal Interactions
- Piloting a Parenting Mobile App to Reduce Treatment-time for Families in Virginia
- Mobile Autism Clinic (MAC), one of our signature initiatives, which supports our work on accessible autism services for rural Virginians.
Recruiting a child-focused assistant clinical professor
The Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech is recruiting a child-focused assistant clinical professor for a non-tenure-track clinical faculty position within our clinical science Ph.D. training program. Successful candidates will have opportunities to work with the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, if desired.
Recruiting Autism Steering Committee members
Researchers at Virginia Tech, George Washington University, and University of Notre Dame are developing innovative industrial robots to support autistic adults in manufacturing and STEM work environments. We’re recruiting Autism Steering Committee members to ensure our collaborative efforts address real-world needs. Committee members will earn $50/hour for up to four online meetings per year. Members will share their experience-informed knowledge with us to:
- Guide the direction and outcomes of the project
- Provide strategies regarding how robots in manufacturing and STEM workplaces can support workers’ motivation, skill development, and sense of belonging
- Help formulate questions for and interpret responses of interviews and focus groups with employees working with robots.
This project is funded by the NSF Workplace Equity for Persons with Disabilities in STEM and STEM Education program. At its core is collaboration with the Autism Steering Committee and autistic and neurotypical employees who will advise the robotics technical experts. We will work within the framework of the evidence-based Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which describes how fostering employee autonomy, building competence, and creating meaningful connections at work increases employee well-being and performance. Our overarching goal is to improve both the well-being of autistic employees and bolster the U.S. STEM workforce.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS: be 18 + years old, identify as autistic, have job experience in STEM and/or manufacturing
TO APPLY
- Email Dr. Angela Scarpa at vtautismcenter@vt.edu.
- Write “NSF Workplace Equity Steering Committee” in the subject line.
- Answer these questions:
- Do you meet the candidate requirements?
- What is your job experience in STEM and/or manufacturing?
- What are your qualifications for collaborating with STEM and psychology team members to reach the research goals?
- Attach your CV, resume, or other statement of work experience.
Email questions to vtautismcenter@vt.edu with “NSF Workplace Equity Steering Committee” in the subject line.
Offering Hybrid Autism Assessments in Rural Communities
The Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research is providing free diagnostic assessments to evaluate for autism in children 17 years old or younger as part of a funded research project. Assessments will be free while funding remains available.
Assessments are conducted through a combination of in-person and remote meetings or entirely remotely. We are recruiting residents of Dickenson, Wise and the city of Norton.
To be added to our interest list, parents/caregivers email vtautismcenter@vt.edu with the details below. Write "Assessment Project" in the subject line.
- Your first and last name
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Child's name
- Child's age
- County of residence
A project member will contact you in the coming weeks with more information and to determine if you and your child are eligible to participate.
Support provided by Kelly Rose and the Dickenson County Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Funding provided by the Rapha Foundation, Commonwealth Autism, the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the VT College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Virginia Tech IRB #24-359
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