1-800-649-8481 Toll Free

Home | About

We do things differently.

In 1995, a frustrated but visionary group of parents of autistic children started our organization to bridge the service gaps their families faced.

We’re still passionate about serving autistic people.  Since our humble beginnings around a kitchen table, we’ve grown to an organization with a budget of $3.7 million. And now in addition to providing direct support and services for autistic people, we also work to improve the systems that serve them.

Our Mission

We unlock opportunities to support autistic individuals to achieve their potential.

Our Vision

We envision an inclusive Virginia where all people have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of our community and realize their full potential.

Our Promise

We will be flexible, we will adapt, and we will learn from safe failures. We will continue to evolve to best meet the needs of all Virginians.

Our Values

Above all else, we value:

 
  • Innovation: We challenge the status quo by confronting problems with best practices and new solutions to complex issues.
  • Flexibility: We embrace change. Our ability to adapt to best meet the needs of our audience is one of our greatest strengths.
  • Collaboration: We develop, maintain and leverage relationships with people and organizations who strive to make human service systems work better for everyone.

Statement of Inclusion

We believe in full inclusion regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, self-identity, age, cultural and geographic origin and language. We tailor our services with sensitivity and strengthen our organization by embracing the full array of humanity.

For people with disabilities, we:

 
  • Provide accessible parking at the front entrance to our Parham Road office.
  • Provide accessible restrooms.
  • Welcome service dogs in our facilities.
  • Provide certain assistive or adapted materials or services with at least 72 hours’ notice.
  • Access a relay service for phone conversations with people who are deaf, hearing impaired or have speech disabilities.
  • Welcome autistic volunteers and ensure that they have meaningful work to do.
  • Include people with and without autism in the same programs. We only offer separate programs if absolutely necessary.
  • Recruit board members who will advocate for and are familiar with individuals with a variety of needs.
  • Include considerations for people with disabilities in our policies and procedures.
  • Make our staff aware of environmental modifications and accommodations that individuals with disabilities may need.

Commonwealth Autism has acquired Good Foods Grocery store!

We are very excited to announce Commonwealth Autism’s acquisition of Good Foods Grocery Store in Stony Point. This step aligns with our mission to foster inclusivity and support within the community, and brings us closer to beginning our workforce development program for autistic individuals seeking employment and training. To learn more, check out the article on BizSense linked below.

Virginia Beach

In an effort to extend our impact to Virginia Beach, Commonwealth Autism has established an office within FACT’s Autism Resource Center building. By doing so, CA aims to bridge the gap in autism resources and provide essential, personalized resource navigation services to families at any stage of their autism journey in Virginia Beach.

Address: 3509 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Read more about FACT’s Autism Resource Center.

Help us advance our mission.

We envision an inclusive Virginia where all people have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of our community and realize their full potential. You can help.

Our Impact Reports

We are proud of our programs, progress and profound impact. We invite you to read about our work in these annual summaries.

Kitchen Conversations

A visionary group of parents of children with autism recognized significant service gaps in Virginia. They created the Autism Program of Virginia (TAP-VA).

Gaining Ground

The General Assembly supported our mission through a state appropriation. A public-private partnership began.

Building Relationships

We held our inaugural—and now annual—autism conference to educate and train the community.

Feet on the Street

We began community organizing efforts around the state through Autism Action Groups.

Future Focus

Our strategy shifted and we began to focus our efforts on capacity building for service providers, such as school personnel, law enforcement, etc.

Forging an Identity

We rebranded ourselves as “Commonwealth Autism Services” to better reflect our mission and vision and the values of accessibility and inclusion.

Expansion

We developed a transdisciplinary diagnostic and assessment clinic and began replicating our diagnostic assessment model around the state.

Reaching For More

We acquired the Dominion School for Autism and began providing direct services through the school.

Expanding Services

We acquired Richmond House, a program offering residential and community support, diversifying and growing our service offerings.

Supporting Sustainability

We joined forces with other community partners to launch a Shared Service Alliance to support the sustainability of early childhood education centers.

A Rebrand + Rededication

Commonwealth Autism is now “CA Human Services.” We’re still passionate about improving services for people with autism, but now we do even more. Much more.

25 Years of Services

This year we celebrate 25 years of advocating for, enabling and creating change.

How can we help you today?

Administrative Office & Mailing Address

Virginia Beach Office – FACT Autism Resource Center

CA Adult Programs

Life Skills Readiness and Transition Programs serve autistic individuals across the state of Virginia through virtual. tele-health, and in-person.

Inclusive Preschools

CA partners with Child Care Centers throughout the Commonwealth.

Stay connected to CA

CA works with autistic people 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.

© 2023 Commonwealth Autism. All Rights Reserved.