Autism Center for Education

Self-advocacy isn't a skill that develops overnight—it's a journey! 🌟

If you are looking for a practical way to help students with disabilities understand, participate in, and eventually lead their own IEP meetings, check out this excellent 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙪𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙄𝙀𝙋 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 from the 𝗜'𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿. It breaks down self-advocacy into clear, actionable levels to help students track their progress, build confidence, and take ownership of their future.

👉 Download the printable rubric here:https://www.imdetermined.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Student-Rubric-for-IEP-Participation-For-Print.pdf

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The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

‼️ JOB ALERT! ‼️

Join the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) Autism Center for Education (ACE) and make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with autism across Virginia. This dynamic role blends teaching and service, offering opportunities to develop and deliver professional learning, provide statewide technical assistance, and support the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools and communities.

The position is ideal for a collaborative professional with experience in education or human services who is passionate about improving outcomes for individuals with autism. Candidates will work closely with educators, families, and statewide partners while contributing to innovative training, research, and program development in a mission-driven environment.

https://vcurrtc.org/about/jobs.cfm

As National Speech-Language-Hearing Month comes to a close, we wanted to share an exciting new resource with our ACE community! Introducing the,

🧭 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀

�https://vcuautismcenter.org/documents/Communication_Compass_Combined.pdf

Communication is the foundation of independence, connection, and learning. The ACE Communication Compass provides a deep dive into eight topics to support language development. Each includes a definition and examples that illustrate its role in supporting self-determination.

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The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

It's graduation season, and the question of "what’s next" can feel a little intimidating. If you're wondering how to navigate the jump from college to the workforce, this is the session for you!

Join Pete Temple on May 21st for an inspiring webcast featuring a panel of college graduates with disabilities. Our guest speakers will share their real-life journeys of searching for and landing jobs after graduation, offering practical tips and lived experience to help you move confidently from the classroom to a career.

📅 When: May 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM ET
🎟️ Cost: FREE (Registration required)

Don't miss this chance to get the "inside scoop" on the transition to employment!

From College to Career: Navigating the Transition to the Workforce with a Disability:
🔗 Register today: https://transition.vcurrtc.org/training/webcasts/webcastDetails.cfm/1786

Administrators set the tone for an inclusive and effective learning environment. Explore these resources designed to equip leaders as they support educators and autistic students.

📌Administrators Guide Online Course
📌Best Practices Walkthrough Tool for Administrators
📌Printable Factsheets & Tools
📌More resources curated by our ACE team

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘁: https://padlet.com/autismcenter1/vcu-rrtc-ace-resource-board-fc8zytnq3if6k0gh
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The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

Learn about the defining characteristics of autism and how to effectively support students both academically and behaviorally in the 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲.

The course is designed around a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework and includes real-world examples that you can apply across various educational settings. Topics covered include:
🗝️Academic support strategies
🗝️Behavioral intervention approaches
🗝️Supporting students across diverse learning environments

Check out this short course for Administrators TODAY: https://vcuautismcenter.org/training/agsm/login/

🐝Summer CoLA session 3 presenters are creating a buzz!🐝

⭐Presenters: Daniel Irwin, M. Ed., BCBA, Training and Technical Assistance Associate, VCU-RRTC-ACE & Carol Schall, PhD, Associate Professor, VCU-RRTC
📢Session Title: Coaching Classroom Teachers: Evaluating Efforts for Effective Instruction

⭐Presenter: Jennifer McDonough, M.S., CRC, Principal Investigator and Director, VCU-RRTC-ACE
📢Session Title: Beyond the Classroom: Partnering with Businesses

⭐Presenters: Katie Cordle, Bristol VA Public Schools, Behavior/Autism Coach & Jared Rader, BVPS, VA Intermediate School Principal
📢Session Title: Building Stronger Schools Together: A Practical Student Support Team Model for Schoolwide Problem Solving

⭐Presenter: Christopher Bugaj, MA CCC-SLP, Assistive Technology Specialist, Loudoun County Public Schools
📢Session Title: Coaching Communication Partners To Support AAC Implementation

🔗Learn more about CoLA at https://vcuautismcenter.org/ta/cola/
🔗Register: https://vcuautismcenter.org/registration/conference/