VT Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research

Your donation to our Supporting Autism Friendly Environments (SAFE) Program will help make our community events more accessible.

The mission at the Virginia Tech Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research (VTAC/CAR), a training clinic and research center in the Department of Psychology, is to improve the quality of life for autistic individuals and their families through intervention, education, and research directed towards effective services and supports.

VTAC/CAR conducts outreach and autism specific clinical services.  Due to our function as a training clinic for graduate students, all services are offered on a sliding scale or at no cost if associated with a research project. Our revenue stream is extremely limited.  Gifts you provide would allow our Supporting Autism Friendly Environments (SAFE) Program to hire future interns, who’s focus is to gain valuable, professional work experience on campus by offering local SAFE education and sensory friendly opportunities!

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability and can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. These challenges can make it difficult for individuals with autism to attend a basketball game, go trick or treating, enjoy a fireworks demonstration, go to the movies, etc.

Everyone deserves equitable access to events and community spaces. 

Our SAFE (Supporting Autism Friendly Environments) Program partners with community organizations, businesses, and Virginia Tech to encourage inclusion for ALL by strategizing low or no cost interventions or modifications in these environments that increase access for those with diverse sensory needs.

Our SAFE Programming can't happen without your generosity.

Goals for the SAFE Program are twofold: (1) to provide access to entertainment venues for individuals with autism and their families; and (2) to inspire a continued culture of awareness and acceptance. While increasing access for meaningful participation in the community, SAFE also models empathy, demonstrating a community of care and compassion. 

The SAFE Program's partners have included the Hokie BugFest, the VT Women's Basketball Team, Moss Arts Center, the Lyric Theater, VT Physics Department’s K-12 Outreach Program, the Universal Design course at VT, the VT Science Festival, Housing and Residential Life, Theta Delta Chi fraternity’s “Bro’s United” mentoring program, Kids Tech University, the Panhellenic Council at VT, and the VT ICAT Creativity and Innovation Day.

If you would like more information about our SAFE Program, please send an email to vtcar-safe@vt.edu.