Our support programs provide opportunities for families to find emotional and tangible support.
Support Programs
Our support programs include:
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Our Intervention Assistance Fund, which gives mini-grants directly to families.
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The Autism Partnership (TAP), a life skills program by autistic adults, for autistic adults.
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Parents & Caregivers of Adults on the Spectrum Group, a self-led support group formed by parents of adults on the autism spectrum, meeting concurrently with TAP.
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Support Group Meetings, which give a variety of opportunities for in-person support and feedback from those facing similar issues in the ASNV community.
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Our Family Social Events, which give families autism-friendly, low-cost opportunities to have fun and make connections, including trampoline park nights, sensory friendly films, & more!
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Our Peer Mentor Program, which pairs experienced parents of children on the spectrum with parents who have newly-diagnosed children on the spectrum & are in need of individualized parent-to-parent support.
Our programs rely on volunteers! Want to help? Click here to get involved >>
Intervention Assistance Fund
Our Intervention Assistance Fund provides mini-grants as reimbursement to families for autism-related expenses. Over the past decade, we've given more than $550,000 in financial assistance directly to families. We accept applications from individuals of any age with an autism diagnosis, or seeking a diagnosis.
The Autism Partnership (TAP)
Are you an autistic adult or do you know someone who is? TAP is a life skills program planned, organized, and presented by autistic self-advocates for other autistic adults. Each meeting focuses on a different topic. Past topics have included managing sensory issues, romantic relationships, exercising, and more! The second portion of TAP is a structured social hour, in which participants can play games, talk, and make new friends! Click here to view topics from past meetings and other resources.
TAP meets on the second & fourth Saturday of every month from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Virtually)
TAP Meeting Dates for 2021:
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March 13
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March 27
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April 10
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April 24
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May 8
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May 22
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June 12
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June 26
To sign up for the TAP email list to receive our meeting reminders, monthly topics and program announcements, email info@asnv.org.
Parents & Caregivers of Adults on the Spectrum Group
Are you the parent or caregiver of an adult on the autism spectrum? If you're interested in meeting with other parents to talk about how to help with job searching, fostering independence, and more, please join us! This is a self-led support group held concurrently with TAP on the second Saturday of every month from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. via Zoom.
NOTE: Currently ALL meetings are held virtually. Click here for more information.
Group Meeting Dates for 2021:
March 13
April 10
May 10
June 8
To sign up for the Parents & Caregivers Group email list to receive meeting reminders and group announcements, email Info@asnv.org.
Support Group Meetings
ASNV seeks to host support group meetings for a variety of populations within the ASNV community at the ASNV Office. Support group meetings give the unique opportunity for people connected to the autism spectrum to get support and feedback from those in the ASNV community who are facing similar issues. Our current and upcoming support groups are listed below.
Parents of Autistic Teens:
Are you the parent of an autistic teenager interested in opportunities for in-person group support? Adult caregivers with parenting responsibilities for an autistic teen (i.e. grandparent, stepparent) were also welcome to attend. If you are a parent or familial caregiver interested in receiving group support and discussing relevant issues with fellow parents, please click here to request to join the parents of teens group listserv.
Middle Age on the Spectrum:
If you're a middle-aged adult on the spectrum with independent living experience, we invite you to check out this support group held at the ASNV office! This is a peer-led, discussion-based support group for independent middle-aged ASD adults in their 30s-50s to talk about and share tips on subjects like marriage, career, and parenthood. Email info@asnv.org to be added to the group email list to receive updates on the program, including notifications of upcoming meetings. Questions about the group? Email info@asnv.org.
Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication
Our AT/AAC Program offers access to tablet technology (both iPads and Android tablets) and a series of workshops on using tablets to increase independence. With great apps being created every day, tablet technology can be life-changing for autistic individuals of any ages.
Our AT/AAC program is not currently accepting applications for tablets. To make sure you hear about it when the applications open, sign up for our monthly newsletter or follow us on Facebook.
Family Social Events
Our family social events give children an opportunity to play and have fun in an accepting environment, while their parents can connect with other parents.
Sensory Friendly Films
In partnership with AMC Theaters, the Autism Society holds sensory friendly showings of popular movies. Tysons Corner AMC Theaters and AMC Potomac Mills participate in this program. The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down, and you're encouraged to laugh, sing, and dance! Click here for information about AMC Sensory Friendly Films!
ASNV hosts family social events and event-fundraisers throughout the year, including our Autism Acceptance Walk & Family Festival (April), Water Mine & Family Barbecue Event (Summer), ASNV Walk and FunFest (October), and Annual Holiday Party (December).
Stay informed of all our upcoming programs and events by subscribing to our mailing list!