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Challenging Behaviors as Indicators of Pain or Illness
There is a widely held belief that individuals with developmental disabilities (DDs) are insensitive to pain/discomfort or have a high-threshold for pain. Thankfully, recent research has begun to challenge this notion. Instead, it is now becoming clear that...
Antecedent Based Interventions (ABI)
Antecedent Based Interventions (ABI) are a type of behavioral intervention designed to prevent challenging behavior. With ABI, we assess conditions of an environment, such as the location, materials, noise level, instructions, and people present. We also assess...
Motor Development and ASD
In 2012 Flanagan and colleagues presented evidence that infants’ head lag during a pull-to-sit task at age six months was significantly associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder at 36 months. The authors acknowledged limitations of the study, including a...
Teaching Safety Skills Using Behavioral Skills Training
By Christine Holland, BCBA, LBA In 2016, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted law enforcement and families with approximately 20,500 cases of missing children. Many families and caregivers try to protect their children from abduction by...
Commonwealth Autism Names New CEO
The Board of Directors of Commonwealth Autism is proud to announce that Jessica Gainous Philips, MA, BCBA, LBA, has been named the new President and CEO of Commonwealth Autism effective July 1, 2018. She will succeed John A. Toscano, MSW, MBA who recently announced...
True Inclusion
True Inclusion. As a service provider for individuals with development disabilities we are sometimes asked by businesses and community organizations outside the field how they can be more inclusive of individuals with developmental disabilities.
John Toscano, President & CEO, Announces Retirement
After more than 16 years of service to Commonwealth Autism (CA), John Toscano, President & CEO announces his retirement effective June 30, 2018. His career in autism began in 1981 in New York and has now spanned 37 years. John began his tenure with the...
Tips for New Families
Families of children who have just received a diagnosis of autism can be overwhelmed thinking about what to do next. They have a lot of information to sift through, including advice from professionals and various websites, blogs, and social media sites. If you are a...
Fire Safety Tips
Fire safety is important for everyone, but particularly important for individuals with disabilities and those with limited communication skills. Here are some tips and resources to support people with disabilities.
Commonwealth Autism accredited by Standards for Excellence Institute
Commonwealth Autism recently received the Standards for Excellence Institute’s Seal of Excellence for successfully completing their rigorous accreditation program. Commonwealth Autism voluntarily opened itself to analysis by a peer review team over the last 18 months...
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CA works with people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families to help them thrive. Every day, we’re building a future where the most vulnerable Virginians can actively participate in our community and realize their full potential.
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