VT Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research (VTAC/CAR)

Faculty Director
Address(es)
Virginia Tech Autism Clinic
3110 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA
24061-0355
Primary Phone
Secondary Phone
Mobile Phone
Fax Number

About Us

Black Mental Health Matters

The Psychological Services Center (PSC), which includes the autism clinic, stands in solidarity with Black and African American individuals, families, and community members. We strongly affirm the Virginia Tech Principles of Community and condemn hate and oppression in any form. We recognize that the experience of racial discrimination affects many members of our community. We recognize that psychological distress may arise including vicarious trauma, racial trauma, concerns about community violence and discrimination on the basis of race, feelings of isolation and disempowerment, among other distressing psychological concerns. We would like to offer help to those affected with our support and services, which may be accessed by contacting us at 540-231-6914. 

Coronavirus Update

During the period of active novel coronavirus spread, the PSC and autism clinic buildings will be closed. The clinic will continue to operate via virtual/remote access and providing telehealth therapy and assessment services. We are accepting new clients. For therapy, call 540-231-6914. For autism assessments, call 540-231-2053 or email autism@vt.edu.

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"Improving quality of life for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders through intervention, education, and research."

The Virginia Tech Autism Clinic (VTAC), part of the Psychological Services Center (PSC) in the Psychology Department of Virginia Tech, opened in the Fall of 2005 to provide clinical services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families in the surrounding New River Valley. Our vision for this facility began in the Fall of 2004, as the Virginia Tech Autism Research Group met to discuss the available services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the New River Valley, a largely rural area. Through an extensive survey assessing existing services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, the group noted that many parents were concerned about both the availability and quality of services they were receiving. The Center for Autism Research (CAR) in the College of Science was established in 2012 to promote multi-disciplinary research on the needs of people with autism that will inform implementation of and access to evidence-based autism services. Together, the VT Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research aim to merge science with service. We invite you to explore our website and contact us with any questions or concerns.

- Dr. Angela Scarpa, VTAC/CAR Founder & Director 

Our Mission

autism clinic building
VTAC/CAR seeks to provide cutting edge clinical services, increase knowledge and awareness, and to conduct quality research.

The mission of the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research is to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families through assessment, intervention, education, and research directed towards effective treatment and prevention. We work with the Psychological Services Center and Child Study Center to offer diagnostic evaluations for infants/toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults who are suspected to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our intervention services are based on a variety of empirically supported treatment techniques. Individualized treatment approaches are developed for each person based on evidence-based behavioral strategies from Applied Behavior Analysis, including Pivotal Response Treatment, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including stress and anger management and social skills groups. We also offer Consultation to schools, medical practices, and community agencies involved in providing services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Our research gives children, parents, and service providers with the opportunity to participate in the development of effective evidence-based treatment techniques by taking part in studies designed to understand the causes, prevention, and interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

With this approach, the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research seeks to provide cutting edge clinical services based on evidence-based treatment strategies, to increase knowledge and awareness about autism among the professional community and general public, and to conduct quality research.

 

Participant Information

Clinical Services Overview

 

people on couchesFor emergencies, call 911. To schedule an appointment or be added to our wait list or to leave a message for a clinician, call the secretary at the Psychological Services Center at 540-231-6914. For all other information about our research and services, please contact our center directly at 540-231-8747.

We offer a variety of clinical services to children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We provide comprehensive diagnostic assessment through the Psychological Services Center and the Child Study Center. We also provide consultation services, individual counseling and intervention, social skill groups, Pivotal Response Treatment, and other evidence-based interventions. A licensed clinical psychologist supervises all clinical work, which is conducted by graduate clinicians.

We offer the following services:

Fees

As part of the Psychological Services Center, we operate on a fee-for-service basis, with a fee scale that adjusts depending on your individual or family financial situation. We do not accept third-party payers as a form of payment, but can assist clients with paperwork for their own reimbursement when approved.

  • Any clinical service standard fee is up to $100/hour
  • Diagnostic Assessment standard fee is up to $800

Our standard fee for clinical services is $100 per hour, but our scale adjusts to a minimum of $3 per hour for clients with significant financial hardship or extremely limited incomes. Our standard fee for a Diagnostic Evaluation for Autistic Spectrum Disorders is $800 but also can be adjusted based on sliding fee scale.

Other Assessments are set on an individual basis depending on the testing protocol that will be used.

Our fees are generally less than half of the usual and customary fees charged by private practitioners, hospitals, or health agencies. We will work with you to find a fee that meets your financial needs, so please contact the secretary at the Psychological Services Center if you would like to discuss your specific situation.

Current Research Projects

Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research

VTCAR (founded in 2012) is a VT College of Science Center to promote autism research. As our partner research center, we collaborate with them on providing services and outreach to the community.

Please visit our website to learn about current research projects:

https://www.vtcar.science.vt.edu/content/vtcar_science_vt_edu/en/research.html

VTAC/CAR Registry

  • Who: Parents of children with ASD or individuals with ASD
  • What: Sign-up to learn more about services, new studies, and events at VTAC
  • Where: Now online! Go to the following link: https://redcap.vtc.vt.edu/surveys/?s=XC37HPDHTD
  • When: Currently seeking participants

Join Us

Undergraduate Students: Want to volunteer as a research assistant?

 

Autism Clinic Donations

Pay Online

You may make a gift right now using Virginia Tech Foundation secure online form (link below) and your credit card. Please select College of Science in the "Select  and Area" field; then select Other in the "Select a Fund" field. Enter VT Autism Clinic Account# 873599 in the “Designation” field, and complete the rest of the form with your information.

https://webapps.banner.vt.edu/giving/academic_index.jsp

Pay by Check

Contributions may be made to the Virginia Tech Foundation for the VT Autism Clinic and mailed to the address below.  Checks should be made payable to the “Virginia Tech Foundation” and include “(VT Autism Clinic, Account# 873599)” in the memo section.

Virginia Tech
ATTN: Kim Raymond
Department of Psychology
890 Drillfield Drive, 109 Williams Hall
Blacksburg, VA  24061-0436

More Information

For more information, please contact Jenny Orzolek, Director of Development for the College of Science, at 540.231.5643 or jorzolek@vt.edu.