Description
We provide information and support to individuals with autism and their families in the Northern Virginia area. Below are some of our chapter activities and accomplishments.
Newsletter
We publish a quarterly newsletter that keeps chapter members informed about information on autism and related disorders. It includes news articles, personal vignettes, and notices of upcoming seminars and conferences.
Information and Referral Assistance
Our executive director gives telephone support and sends out literature regarding medical and counseling referrals, educational/prevocational, and therapeutic program information, and financial assistance. We provide information packets, trainings, referrals, workshops, and programs on autism not only to family members and self-advocates, but also to school districts, day-care providers, employers, emergency service providers, medical and dental professionals, churches and students in advanced studies.
Meetings and Support Groups
Our chapter arranges and sponsors monthly support group meetings in Loudoun and Prince William Counties of Northern Virginia. Meetings are open to the public, and provide a time when parents, friends and individuals with autism can meet to make new friends, support each other, and benefit from a presentation from a guest speaker. Speakers include members of the medical, educational, therapeutic, recreational, and legal communities. We also offer more focused support services for families facing the urgent challenges of having a child recently diagnosed with autism or PDD. Check ASA-NV Support Groups in the Other Pages of this website for specific meeting information.
We also manage a very active on-line support group, ASA-NV@yahoogroups.com, with over 700 members. Members post questions and share up-to-the-minute information.
Advocacy and Education
We conduct autism awareness campaigns in schools and at community functions. We educate our elected officials to secure funding for research into the causes and possible cures, effective employment programs and living arrangements for adults with Autism, and effective educational programs for our children.
Social Gatherings
We organize social activities for our members and their friends and families. These activities usually include varying summer and winter events, including a holiday party.
