Hussman Institute for Autism

09/02/2026

A thought-provoking question consists of:
a meaningful comment + an interesting question + a pause!

Remember to offer communication supports, and respond to and expand on their response!

08/26/2026

Help your student with autism learn and explore which supports and tools work best for them!

Our “All About Me and How I Learn Best” can be filled out by you and your child to share with your child’s teacher, and/or can be used as a guide for your child’s IEP meeting!

The printable version is available here:
https://tinyurl.com/49d9tvda

08/21/2026

Remember that there may be a difference between what someone can show or demonstrate and what they can understand.

Always assume that nonspeaking people have a rich set of thoughts, feelings, and ideas that they may have difficulty expressing.

08/13/2026

A few more back-to-school tips:

- offer them choices (what to pack for lunch, what to wear on the first day)

-read them books about going back to school

-reassure them that their favorite activities and hobbies will still be part of their day after school

08/13/2026

Thanks to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for supporting the autism community!


Wicomico County Sheriff's Office

More info on our autism sensory kits for first responders can be found here: https://hussmanautism.org/autism-kit-for-first-responders/

08/11/2026

08/10/2026

Thanks Wintergreen Police Department for your support for the autism community!

Our officers recently completed Autism Response Protocol training with the University of Virginia, focused on better understanding and safely assisting individuals with autism during calls for service.

The training provided our officers with valuable tools to help recognize signs of autism, improve communication, and use practical de-escalation techniques to create safer and more positive interactions. We appreciate the time and expertise shared by the UVA trainers who helped provide this important training to our department.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to the Hussman Institute for Autism for generously donating 13 sensory kits to the Wintergreen Police Department at no cost. These kits will be available for our officers to use when responding to situations involving individuals with autism and include resources designed to help reduce stress, provide comfort, and support communication during challenging moments.

Having these tools available gives our officers another way to connect with members of our community and provide thoughtful, compassionate service when it matters most.

We are grateful for the partnership and support from both the University of Virginia and the Hussman Institute for Autism. Partnerships like these help us continue learning, growing, and better serving our community. 💙

08/06/2026

Writing down a reassuring statement can offer your student predictability and comfort while also supporting their autonomy (as they can look at their reminder whenever needed without having to ask a teacher).

07/29/2026

the goal isn't to remove all challenges or expect someone to complete tasks entirely independently

instead, it's to provide the right amount of support so they can meaningfully participate, learn, and grow over time

07/23/2026

validate and encourage all forms of communication - AAC, ASL, pointing, gesturing, vocalizations, speech, picture boards, typing, writing, leading - there is no one correct way to communicate!