Asperger’s Syndrome

Middle, High School and College Programs for Students with Asperger's Syndrome
Charterhouse School offers integrated programs designed to meet the unique needs of students with Asperger's Syndrome. Our staff are trained in and have experience in working with students on the Autism Spectrum and are supported by the Associate Clinical Director of Educational Services who has a master degree in special education and is a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst. Through our collaboration with Commonwealth Autism Service www.autismva.org (CAS), we receive weekly clinical support and technical assistance.

Middle and High School Program
In our middle and high school program students receive academic instruction, along with social, organizational, behavioral, and independent living skills development. Extended opportunities for students to practice new skills in the community are offered through weekly field trips.

Students receive 30 minutes of individual therapy per week and participate in a weekly support group facilitated by our therapist. Feelings, emotions, and coping skills are of primary importance. Although conversational and pragmatic language skills are targeted during therapy sessions, these skills are worked on throughout the day and during skill building lessons.

Typically students are divided by grade, although this may vary depending on group dynamics and individual needs. Students rotate between two classes and instructors – one for English/history, the other for math/science. Behavior Specialists are present throughout the student’s day and take behavior and social data as needed. In addition, students maintain self-monitoring datasheets so they are held accountable for their behavior.

Courage to Succeed:
The College Program for Students with Asperger's Syndrome
Courage to Succeed started in 2011. Students participating in the program must be accepted at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and admitted to Courage to Succeed through a separate application process. The program uses a positive behavior support approach to assist participating students. Social, communication, academic, leisure and personal living skills are assessed through person-centered planning.

Personal goals are identified and strategies are developed based on the individual needs of each student. The program seeks to help students learn skills which will help them earn a college degree, work in their chosen field, and live a productive, independent, and quality life.  For more information, click here for the Courage to Succeed brochure.

Fill out application here

Courage to Succeed: Supported Apartment Living

Courage to Succeed: Supported Apartment Living offers support to young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning autism, who are enrolled in  Courage to Succeed supports, to live independently while attending community college.  Students share an apartment with a roommate near the community college campus and within 10-15 minutes of The Fan and The Shops at Grove and Carytown in Richmond, VA.

With the support of Courage to Succeed staff, students develop essential independent living skills. They will clean their apartment, do their laundry, and shop for groceries, and prepare their own meals. Our staff support the students in paying their bills and in participating in social activities in the community.

For students who do not have their own transportation, Courage to Succeed will provide transportation to the UMFS campus in the morning and back to the apartment in the afternoon.

The program includes:

1. Phone/text communication each weekday morning (to prompt the student in areas of readiness, meal, medication, assignments and books for college)

2. On-call support by phone for overnight and weekend emergencies

3. Face-to-face contact in student’s apartment (Mon-Wed-Fri, between 5-8 p.m.) to support students in areas identified in their futures plan, e.g., paying bills, communication with family, laundry, cleaning, food shopping and preparation, and participation in community, weekend activities

4. Develop visual schedules for evenings and weekends to support study habits, chores, personal hygiene, and participation in leisure and recreational activities

5. Saturday or Sunday activities (3-5 hours) in the community twice per month

6. Weekly communication with parents via email about student’s progress and needs

Courage to Succeed identifies apartment complexes and facilitates matches of roommates. However, students and their parents are responsible for leasing the apartment and for expenses related to rent, utilities, meals, etc.

Camp Courage
Camp Courage focuses on the unique transitional needs for youth 16-22 years old with Asperger’s:

•   Post-secondary education
•   Employment
•   Leisure
•   Independence

Youth receive in-depth training in social skills; career exploration and work experience; organizational skills; academic and future-minded self-motivation; independence from family; positive relationships; leisure, exercise, grooming, and good nutrition; coping skills to deal with frustration, anxiety, and depression; and positive self-esteem growth. Monday through Wednesday 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and Thursdays 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The cost is $150/day. For more information on Camp Courage, click here for the informational flyer.

Interested in Camp Courage? Fill out application here.