3110 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA
24061-0355
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

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
For 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:
- Diagnostic Assessment
- Mobile Autism Clinic
- Intervention and Consultation, Individual Counseling, Groups, Social Skills, Pivotal Response Treatment, etc.
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?
- Visit our research page at https://www.vtcar.science.vt.edu/research/Undergraduate.html
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.
Links and Resources
Local Resources
Local Outreach & Training
- Easter Seals: Presentation by Cara Pugliese and Amie Schry
Virginia Organizations
National or Regional Organizations
- Autism Science Foundation
- Autism Society of America
- Autism Speaks
- First Signs
- National Autism Association
- NIH - Autism Spectrum Disorder Information
- National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder
- US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Autism
- Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support (O.A.S.I.S.)
- University of Washington Autism Center
General Resources
- Act Early
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Asperger's in College Students (PowerPoint Presentation)
- Autism Assistance Information (information on financial assistance for autism treatment)
- Autism Safety Tips
- Autism Speaks Tool Kits (download tool kits on many helpful topics)
- Autism Video Glossary
- Center on Everyday Child Language Learning
- Funding Autism Treatment (information on financial assistance for autism treatment)
- Healing Thresholds
- Move up to the next grade
- Pivotal Response Treatment resources
- Summer Stress Tips (helpful for teachers and aides during the school year too)
- Zero to Three