VCU news

Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education
804-827-2415
mdfronti@vcu.edu

Dale Theakston
Hanover County Public Schools
804-365-4528
dtheakston@hcps.us


Virginia Commonwealth University and 15 school divisions in Central Virginia have announced a new partnership that will provide training and professional development for teachers of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The Region 1 Autism Education Consortium will combine the resources of Virginia’s Region 1 school divisions and VCU to benefit nearly 1,000 children with ASD or developmental delays and characteristics of ASD currently served in more than 200 classrooms.

Region 1 consists of school divisions in the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George, Surry and Sussex, and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond.

“VCU is pleased to be involved in this new regionwide initiative that will promote the achievement of educational outcomes of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D. “We understand and are committed to continuing our role as the major institution of higher education preparing professionals to meet the educational needs of these students.”

“Over the years, our regional efforts have produced quality educational opportunities for math and science students, gifted students and teachers throughout the region,” said Dr. Stewart Roberson, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools.  “Today, we announce the launching of our newest regional effort, targeted specifically in support of special needs students, with literally every Region 1 school district, along with VCU, as a valuable partner.”

Autism Spectrum Disorders are a range of developmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 150 children born today will have ASD, affecting more than 1 million Americans.

Children with ASD can make tremendous progress with education-based interventions. However, the unique educational needs of children with ASD require special training and support beyond the general knowledge of developmental delays or other learning disabilities.

School divisions are charged under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act with providing an appropriate educational program for students with ASD, including providing a continuum of educational placements based on individual student needs.

“To effectively meet this charge, school personnel need to be trained in and adopt specific evidence-based practices within a comprehensive curricular framework that leads to positive outcomes for all students with ASD in their school divisions,” said Fred Morton, superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools.

The goals of the consortium are to provide additional educational opportunities for students with ASD; expand instructional strategies to enhance student success; provide the structure for school divisions to access staff development resources; implement research-based practices and methodologies; share expertise and resources; enhance and build parent partnerships; and collaborate with community partners.

“The Region 1 Autism Education Consortium builds on shared resources and expertise among the school divisions in Region 1 to respond to the increasing demand for effectively trained educators needed to serve students with ASD across the continuum of educational placements,” said John Kregel, Ed.D., professor and chair of the VCU School of Education Department of Special Education and Disability Policy.