An archive of all RCAAS-related news, from Rutgers University publications (i.e., Rutgers Today and Rutgers Magazine), research publications, and more!
In the News
10.24
According to Rutgers University, “Autism Spectrum Disorder” (ASD) is one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities in America, with an estimated 1 in 54 children nationally and 1 in 35 in New Jersey carrying a diagnosis.
Unfortunately for most students, according to a release issued by the K-12 district, services diminish greatly after high school, leaving adults with little support outside of their own families, and making it exceedingly difficult for them to achieve their potential.
As an intern for the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services since December, Randolph High... read more
10.24
A New Jersey supply chain company is making its workforce more inclusive by partnering with a local nonprofit to train people who have autism, providing them skills to become competitive job candidates.
Bettaway Supply Chain Services, based in South Plainfield, is entering its third year of partnering with We Make – Autism at Work, a nonprofit that helps people with autism or an intellectual or developmental disability develop vocational skills. The program’s success is an example of what can be achieved in an inclusive work environment, which leaders hope will be replicated in other... read more
10.24
The College Support Program (CSP) at the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) is an initiative that seeks to make support and resources available to neurodivergent students at the University.
After securing funding from the Strategic Investment Fund under Rutgers—New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway's guidance, the CSP has expanded to provide services to students with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recently, the CSP adopted the Accessing Campus Connections and Empowering Student Success (ACCESS) program, a specialized... read more
9.24
Adjusting to college life can be a difficult transition for any first-year student, especially for individuals on the spectrum.
To ease the adjustment and forge meaningful human connections, Rutgers University–New Brunswick provides specialized peer mentoring through the College Support Program (CSP). The CSP – run by the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, which is part of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology – provides support for neurodiverse students so they may be successful, both academically and interpersonally.
2.24
The Rutgers Today article, “Adults With Autism Get on-the-Job Training Through Rutgers Dining Services,” showcases the department’s instrumental partnership with the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS).
It also highlights the RCAAS mission and services provided for adults on the autism spectrum, including employment support through their SCALE Program.
This win-win collaboration allows adults with autism to have a meaningful job and gain valuable life skills.
9.23
Read about the impactful research study, “An individualized approach to teaching adults with autism to successfully navigate job interviews via remote instruction,” conducted by Dr. SungWoo Kahng, Professor and Chair, Applied Psychology Department; Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA; Co-Director of Research, RCAAS; Courtney Butler, Behavior Analyst, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Christeen Scarpa, Behavior Analyst, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Brianna Boragi, former Behavior Technician, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Joe Scott, Associate Director, Career Interest Communities, Rutgers CES, and colleagues.... read more
2.23
Dr. SungWoo Kahng, Department Chair, Applied Psychology; Associate Professor, Applied Psychology, GSAPP; Co-Director of Research, RCAAS, co-authored the article, "A systematic review of the correspondence between descriptive assessment and functional analysis." This article appears in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
The publication's co-authors conducted a review of 48 studies that included descriptive assessments and functional analyses and evaluated several measures of correspondence between each pair of... read more
7.22
Proud Scarlet Knight and three-time Rutgers alum, Christopher Manente, PhD, BCBA, was recently featured in a Rutgers Alumni Association (RAA) Spotlight! In the interview, Dr. Manente discusses his education and experience at Rutgers and how it led him to where he is today as the Executive Director of the RCAAS. Dr. Manente also defines and explains the distinct, yet collaborative units of the RCAAS and their impact on the community.
To view the interview, or read the transcribed text, please click here.
5.22
Third-year doctoral student, Yu Yan, is the grateful first recipient of the Autism MVP Foundation Endowed Fellowship! Keith Green, Executive Director of the AutismMVP Foundation, presented a $31,500 donation to GSAPP and the RCAAS, to assist future mental health professionals serve the underserved adult autistic population. The Autism MVP Foundation Endowed Fellowship will allow GSAPP students, working in partnership with the RCAAS, to gain the necessary training and educational resources they need to empower adults on the autism spectrum.
This generous gift will undoubtedly make a lasting... read more
1.22
Congratulations to Ellen Wilkinson, graduate student and valued member of the Psychological Services Clinic (PSC) and LifeSPAN ASD Lab teams, on having her new article featured in a recent Autism Science Foundation (ASF) podcast! Ellen’s article, “Parent Reported Strengths and Positive Qualities of Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability,” appeared in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and was one of three topics of discussion in this popular weekly forum.
Read the full article here:
9.21
Amy Gravino was diagnosed at age 11 as being on the autism spectrum.
It was decades ago, when, she said, the word didn’t mean much. She was teased by classmates and told by a school official that she would never graduate high school, let alone college.
“I only knew that I was different, and different was not acceptable as the world was frequently sure to let me know. At every turn I had people telling me who I was,’’ Gravino said Wednesday during the dedication ceremony for the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS), a facility that opened on the Douglass campus earlier this year... read more
4.21
The Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS), a center within the Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), researches and finds ways to support adults on the autism spectrum by "...providing assistance and support in all aspects of participants' lives," which is achieved through the programs RCAAS has available.
Dr. Christopher Manente, executive director of RCAAS, shared some highlights about the RCAAS, the Center's progress, and future program development. The Center works to identify and share best practices for meeting the needs of individuals who... read more
4.21
The Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS), a unit of GSAPP since its inception in 2016, is thrilled to be featured in Rutgers Today! The article focuses on the opening of our new community center, a welcoming space for the entire Rutgers and local community, not just adults with autism. According to RCAAS Executive Director, Christopher Manente, PhD, BCBA, “There is no other university program as comprehensive and ambitious in terms of focusing on the success of adults on the autism spectrum in a multifaceted way. We hope this community center will serve as a model for other... read more
12.20
To be able to enrich the ability of autistic adults to navigate life’s challenges and to have career opportunities available to this sector of the population means changing the course of research, offering life skills training, clinical needs, and education. A pioneering approach to supporting autistic adults is underway at Rutgers, and the hub for this program is in the newly constructed headquarters building for the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) on the Douglass Campus.
The center, which first opened in 2017, is a first-of-its-kind project, and will now have a new building... read more
2.24
Read the peer-reviewed journal article, “The Use of Economic Manipulations to Influence Choice in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” published in the Journal of Behavioral Education.
The article was co-authored by Dr. Robert LaRue, Clinical Professor, Director of Behavioral Services, DDDC and RCAAS; Dr. Christopher Manente, Executive Director, RCAAS, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Applied Psychology Department; Dr. Lauren Pepa, Psychologist, Supervisor, Consultant, RCAAS-PSC; Dr. Erica Dashow; Dr. James Maraventano, Director, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Dr.... read more
2.24
The Rutgers Today article, “Adults With Autism Get on-the-Job Training Through Rutgers Dining Services,” showcases the department’s instrumental partnership with the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS).
It also highlights the RCAAS mission and services provided for adults on the autism spectrum, including employment support through their SCALE Program.
This win-win collaboration allows adults with autism to have a meaningful job and gain valuable life skills.
7.23
Representative Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07) visited the RCAAS community center in July for a meeting and tour.
RCAAS Executive Director, Dr. Christopher Manente said, “The RCAAS is a pilot model that provides individualized services to help adults with autism thrive, not just survive.” Rep. Kean, a member of the Congressional Autism Caucus replied, “I want you to be leaders, to excel, and I want to help.” We look forward to continuing this exciting conversation!
7.23
Dr. Vanessa Bal, Annabelle M Mournet, Tori Glascock, Jacqueline Shinall, Gabrielle Gunin, Nikita Jadav, Henry Zhang, Emily Brennan, Emily Istvan, and Evan M Kleiman co-authored an article in the journal Autism. It is titled, “The emotional support plan: Feasibility trials of a brief, telehealth-based mobile intervention to support coping for autistic adults.”
The Emotional Support Plan (ESP) is a brief intervention designed to support autistic people to use positive coping skills during periods of distress.
In their recently published study, autistic people assessed the acceptability of... read more
6.23
Rutgers is home to many neurodiverse students, staff, and faculty; however, their perspectives and needs aren't always addressed. The RU Neurodiversity Taskforce is determined to change that.
On June 15th, over 100 RU faculty, staff, administrators, students, and friends attended the 2nd Annual Neurodiversity Summit, hosted by the RCAAS. The impactful event celebrated and empowered RU’s neurodiverse community. It included updates on the Taskforce’s ongoing work, a dance showcase, candid and educational presentations and panel discussions, and more.
A highlight was an exciting... read more
6.23
Congratulations to doctoral student, LifeSPAN Autism Lab, Ellen Wilkinson, and Dr. Vanessa Bal on their research study. "Factor structure of the VABS-3 Comprehensive Parent/Caregiver form in autistic individuals: Poor fit of three-factor and unidimensional models” was recently published in the journal Autism.
The researchers explored whether the parent questionnaire measures adaptive behavior similarly in verbal and minimally verbal autistic people. While the structure has been consistent with findings in previous studies, it is still important to take careful consideration.
The... read more
6.23
GSAPP continues to participate in key university initiatives, such as the Faculty Diversity Collaborative, which recently held its Faculty Recognition Ceremony. The Collaborative is focused on integrating diversity and inclusion into the institutional pursuit of academic excellence, guiding the institutional investment in the retention and success of a diverse faculty.
Dr. Vanessa Bal, and Dr. Christopher Manente, RCAAS Executive Director and Clinical Associate Professor, GSAPP were program participants in the Rutgers Connection Network (RCN) Faculty Mentoring Program.
Dr. Manente spoke... read more
6.23
Dr. Vanessa Bal was invited to serve on the Life Sciences Alliance Provost Strategic Task Force (LSA-PST). The LSA-PST will recommend a transformational strategy for national and international prominence in the life sciences that builds on Rutgers-New Brunswick’s existing strengths.
The Task Force has a mission to bridge our existing strengths and promote growth in emerging areas with the goal of advancing discovery, innovation, partnerships, and interdisciplinary research and access to research at RU and beyond. Congratulations to Dr. Bal!
6.23
Dr. Arpana Inman, ABPP (Division 17), Dean and Distinguished Professor, and Dr. Vanessa Bal (Division 33), Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor, GSAPP; Director, LifeSPAN ASD Lab and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic; Co-director of Research, RCAAS, participated in an informative and inspiring APA Council Town Hall series.
In the recording, experts discussed being in solidarity with persons with disabilities, persons from diverse religious backgrounds and nationalities, persons living with mental illness, as well as children and youth. Thank you for sharing... read more
5.23
Dr. Christopher Manente, Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) Executive Director, and GSAPP Clinical Associate Professor, spoke with Pix11 News, along with other compassionate members of the community, about some of the challenges adults with autism face.
Everyone deserves a job that gives them the ability to provide for themselves and to feel like they're contributing to their community. In the world of autistic adults, they don't always get a chance to prove themselves.
Watch the full clip, here.
2.24
Read the peer-reviewed journal article, “The Use of Economic Manipulations to Influence Choice in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” published in the Journal of Behavioral Education.
The article was co-authored by Dr. Robert LaRue, Clinical Professor, Director of Behavioral Services, DDDC and RCAAS; Dr. Christopher Manente, Executive Director, RCAAS, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Applied Psychology Department; Dr. Lauren Pepa, Psychologist, Supervisor, Consultant, RCAAS-PSC; Dr. Erica Dashow; Dr. James Maraventano, Director, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Dr.... read more
11.23
Dr. Christopher Manente, RCAAS Executive Director; Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Applied Psychology Department, was featured in The Targum article, “Advocating for adults with autism: U. professor awarded NJBIZ Veterans award.” The article highlights Dr. Manente’s receipt of this inaugural award honoring veterans who improve their communities through entrepreneurship. It focuses on Dr. Manente’s ground-breaking accomplishments at the RCAAS and his work to foster inclusivity and support for neurodiverse individuals at Rutgers and beyond.
11.23
Dr. Vanessa Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor & Director, LifeSPAN Autism Lab and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic; Co-Director of Research, RCAAS, lent her expertise to the November/December American Psychological Association (APA) Monitor’s, “How to navigate adulthood on the autism spectrum.” Dr. Bal was quoted in, and her research was cited in this insightful article. It describes the “service cliff” that exists when autistic adults leave high school, the troubling sharp decline in services available after graduation. The article also describes... read more
10.23
Dr. Kahng and team’s research addresses this issue by training the RCAAS participants in this study on how to apply for a job, how to answer interview questions, and how to advocate for oneself. He explains that “everyone in the study performed better when coached one-on-one compared to being part of a group.”
Dr. SungWoo Kahng and his collaborative research, “An individualized approach to teaching adults with autism to successfully navigate job interviews via remote instruction” was featured in the New Jersey Monitor article, "Removing employment barriers for New Jerseyans with... read more
10.23
Rutgers University has received a grant from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education – which, coupled with strategic funds from the Office of the Chancellor at the New Brunswick campus – will make it possible to bolster assessment and treatment services for Rutgers students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism at a fraction of the typical cost.
Click the link below to read more.
5.23
Recently, RCAAS Executive Director, and GSAPP Clinical Associate Professor, Dr. Christopher Manente, presented as the keynote speaker for Autism Speaks Virtual Pathways to Employment Event. Event attendees heard from renowned speakers, employees, and service providers who shared employment best practices and predictors of success.
In his keynote address, Dr. Manente urged attendees to move beyond half-measures (see flyer at right) and rallied to address the employment crisis for autistic adults.
To watch a recording of his keynote address, click here.
5.23
Dr. Christopher Manente, Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) Executive Director, and GSAPP Clinical Associate Professor, spoke with Pix11 News, along with other compassionate members of the community, about some of the challenges adults with autism face.
Everyone deserves a job that gives them the ability to provide for themselves and to feel like they're contributing to their community. In the world of autistic adults, they don't always get a chance to prove themselves.
Watch the full clip, here.
5.23
Dr. Vanessa Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor Director, GSAPP; LifeSPAN ASD Lab and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic; Co-director of Research, RCAAS, shared her expertise in the HuffPost article, "The 9 Biggest Signs Of Autism In Adulthood."
The article describes some possible signs that people with undiagnosed autism can experience in their daily lives. Dr. Bal explains that people with autism may consistently feel differently than others.
To read the informative article, which includes suggested resources, please click here.
5.23
Recent research shows that approximately 70% of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have at least one, if not multiple, co-occurring mental health conditions.
Dr. Vanessa Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor, GSAPP; Director, LifeSPAN ASD Lab and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic; Co-director of Research, RCAAS, addresses this topic in Autism Speaks's Expert Q&A: Dr. Vanessa Bal discusses gaps in mental health care for autistic adults.
Dr. Bal discusses the biggest gaps in the care available for autistic adults with co-occurring mental health... read more
4.23
The RCAAS- College Support Program (CSP) was showcased in the New Jersey Monitor article, "Colleges and universities with support programs welcome students with autism."
The article focuses on the college support systems in place for the autism community, including CSP. Amy Gravino, RCAAS Relationship Coach, shared her expertise as an adult on the autism spectrum, explaining how she also struggled to feel comfortable in social situations in college. However, with CSP, "students learn to advocate for themselves, to be themselves, and to form friendships." Programs such as these allow... read more
2.24
Read the peer-reviewed journal article, “The Use of Economic Manipulations to Influence Choice in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” published in the Journal of Behavioral Education.
The article was co-authored by Dr. Robert LaRue, Clinical Professor, Director of Behavioral Services, DDDC and RCAAS; Dr. Christopher Manente, Executive Director, RCAAS, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Applied Psychology Department; Dr. Lauren Pepa, Psychologist, Supervisor, Consultant, RCAAS-PSC; Dr. Erica Dashow; Dr. James Maraventano, Director, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Dr.... read more
11.23
Dr. Vanessa Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor & Director, LifeSPAN Autism Lab and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic; Co-Director of Research, RCAAS, lent her expertise to the November/December American Psychological Association (APA) Monitor’s, “How to navigate adulthood on the autism spectrum.” Dr. Bal was quoted in, and her research was cited in this insightful article. It describes the “service cliff” that exists when autistic adults leave high school, the troubling sharp decline in services available after graduation. The article also describes... read more
11.23
The article was co-authored by Dr. Robert LaRue, Clinical Professor, Director of Behavioral Services, DDDC and RCAAS; Dr. Christopher Manente, Executive Director, RCAAS, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Applied Psychology Department; Dr. Lauren Pepa, Psychologist, Supervisor, Consultant, RCAAS-PSC; Dr. Erica Dashow; Dr. James Maraventano, Director, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Dr. Kimberly Sloman; Dr. Kate Fiske, Clinical Associate Professor Emerita; Dr. Lara Delmolino Gatley, Associate Dean for Administration and Strategic Operations, GSAPP, Director, GSAPP's Applied and Academic Autism... read more
8.23
Read “Concordance Between the Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ) and Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Self Report (SITBI-SR) Among Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults” in the quarterly journal, Archives of Suicide Research.
This research article is co-authored by Annabelle Mournet, graduate student, Clinical Psychology program, Dr. Vanessa Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor GSAPP; Director, LifeSPAN Autism Lab and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic; Co-Director of Research, RCAAS, and Dr. Evan Kleiman, Associate Professor of Psychology,... read more
7.23
Dr. Vanessa Bal, Annabelle M Mournet, Tori Glascock, Jacqueline Shinall, Gabrielle Gunin, Nikita Jadav, Henry Zhang, Emily Brennan, Emily Istvan, and Evan M Kleiman co-authored an article in the journal Autism. It is titled, “The emotional support plan: Feasibility trials of a brief, telehealth-based mobile intervention to support coping for autistic adults.”
The Emotional Support Plan (ESP) is a brief intervention designed to support autistic people to use positive coping skills during periods of distress.
In their recently published study, autistic people assessed the acceptability of... read more
6.23
Congratulations to doctoral student, LifeSPAN Autism Lab, Ellen Wilkinson, and Dr. Vanessa Bal on their research study. "Factor structure of the VABS-3 Comprehensive Parent/Caregiver form in autistic individuals: Poor fit of three-factor and unidimensional models” was recently published in the journal Autism.
The researchers explored whether the parent questionnaire measures adaptive behavior similarly in verbal and minimally verbal autistic people. While the structure has been consistent with findings in previous studies, it is still important to take careful consideration.
The... read more
2.23
Dr. SungWoo Kahng, Department Chair and Associate Professor, Applied Psychology Department, GSAPP; Co-Director of Research, RCAAS; Courtney Butler, Behavior Analyst, RCAAS-SCALE Program; Christeen Zaki-Scarpa, Behavior Analyst, RCAAS-SCALE Program, Brianna Boragi, former Behavior Technician, RCAAS-SCALE Program; and colleagues co-authored the article, "An individualized approach to teaching adults with autism to successfully navigate job interviews via remote instruction." It appears in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
The current study evaluated the use of behavioral skills... read more
2.23
Dr. Julia Iannaccone, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Applied Department; Director, Intensive Outpatient Clinic, RCAAS, co-authored the article, "Varying reinforcer dimensions during differential reinforcement without extinction: A translational model" in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
This study supports the notion that differential reinforcement of alternative behavior without extinction can be an effective form of treatment. Read the article, here.
2.23
SungWoo Kahng, Courtney Butler, Faris R. Kronfli, Christeen Zaki-Scarpa, Brianna Boragi and Joseph Scott co-authored, "An individualized approach to teaching adults with autism to successfully navigate job interviews via remote instruction." The research subject touches on adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experiencing challenges securing employment, which may partially explain overall underemployment or unemployment in this population. One of the first steps to obtaining employment is participating in a job interview. However, social communication deficits may interfere with an... read more
2.23
Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism; Associate Professor, GSAPP; Director, LifeSPAN ASD Lab; Co-Director of Research and Director of the Psychological Services Clinic, RCAAS; Dr. Vanessa Bal, was chosen for "40 under 40" in Spectrum’s fifth annual book. This list is comprised of 40 young researchers who are working on autism-related science across the globe. They are rising stars in their labs or among their former students.
Dr. Bal was featured in the article, "Rising star: Vanessa Bal traverses fine work-life balance." To read the full article, please click here.
To read... read more