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
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.
9.24
“This housing crisis has been here for decades,” said Christopher Manente, Ph.D., executive director of the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services. “This is a community of people that have largely felt abandoned.”
While the traditional model of housing for adults with disabilities in New Jersey has historically been four-person group homes, Seifried explained, a statewide transition plan approved in 2023 integrates person-centered planning, separation of housing and services, individual choice and flexibility.
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.
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.
9.21
In the September issue of the Gazette, there is a staff spotlight for Amy Gravino, MA; relationship coach at the RCAAS. Amy Gravino was featured on podcasts as an advocate for adults with ASD. She elaborated on the importance of topics such as sexuality exploration on the spectrum and better serving girls and women with ASD.
Read the issue here:
7.21
The July issue of the Gazette features the newest accomplishments of RCAAS Co-Director of Research, SungWoo Kahng, Ph.D. Dr. Kahng was recently named the President of the Board of Directors of the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and received a $50,000 grant from the New Jersey Governor's Council of Medical Research and Treatment of Autism for his research at the University.
Read the issue here:
6.21
In the June 11th issue of the Gazette, RCAAS Executive Director, Christopher Manente, is highlighted for his recent literature review publication with colleagues, and the Byrne Seminar, Perspectives on Autism in Adulthood, makes its Gazette-debut.
Read the issue here:
5.21
This May issue of the Gazette features coverage of an insightful new journal publication from the Director of the RCAAS-SCALE Program, Dr. James Maraventano; Director of Behavioral Services at the RCAAS and Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center (DDDC), Dr. Robert LaRue; DDDC Adult Program Behavior Analyst, Jenna Budge; and Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) alumni, Catherine Kishel, and Dr. David Singer. And (in case you missed it!), learn why the RCAAS is being named an "extraodinary organization moving the needle on inclusion"... read more
4.21
The second April issue of the Gazette calls attention to the virtual Disability Sports, Health and Wellness Conference that took place on Tuesday, April 13th. RCAAS Executive Director, Christopher Manente, Ph.D., BCBA; RCAAS-SCALE participant and gold medal winning Special Olympics athlete, Alex Scheck; and Alex's mother, Angela Scheck, were invited as presenters, giving them the platform to speak to discuss the importance of advocating for disability visibility and inclusion in the sports community and beyond.
Read the issue here:
4.21
The April 8th issue of the Gazette reflects the busy couple of months the RCAAS has had. This issue covers Dr. Vanessa H. Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Endowed Chair in Adult Autism, Co-Director's recent research highligting the impacts of COVID-19 on early career researchers; the upcoming Disability Sports, Health, and Wellness Conference featuring SCALE participant, Alex Scheck; and the Rutgers Today article highlighting the new RCAAS Community Center!
Read the issue here:
3.21
This issue of the Gazette features the contributions of RCAAS Executive Director, Christopher Manente, Ph.D., BCBA, to the article "As Number of Adults With Autism Rise, Need For Better Services Apparent." Dr. Manente extends his expert insight in the American Psychiatric Association's newsletter, Psychiatric News, as professionals come together to address the rising need for comprehensive support programs for aduts on the autism spectrum.
Read the issue here:
3.21
This issue of the Gazette promotes the upcoming New Jersey Association for Behavioral Analysis (NJABA) Annual Conference. Courtney Butler, BCBA, CSP Coordinator, and Whitney Pubylski-Yanofchick, BCBA, SCALE Behavior Analyst, will be in attendance, each presenting their research surrounding professional development skills and employment for adults with ASD, respectively.
Read the issue here:
8.20
The Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) is excited to announce that for the first time, it will be able to formally host practicum students! A virtual Q&A session for GSAPP students will take place on Thursday, 8/20, from 1-2 pm via Webex.
To learn more:
7.20
On July 1, 2019, the College Support Program (CSP), one of the units within the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS), marked the one year anniversary of its successful transition to GSAPP. The CSP supports matriculated undergraduate students on the autism spectrum through key collaboration with campus partners, weekly Coordinator and Peer Mentor (neurotypically-matched students), and more. Due to COVID-19, the CSP has amended its admissions process, which is separate from that of Rutgers University’s, and is still accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic year. For more... read more
6.21
In this half-hour conversation with Dr. Ronit Molko of the Illuminare Podcast, Amy Gravino, RCAAS Relationship Coach, shares her insight surrounding women, sexuality, and autism as an autism sexuality advocate. Amy "discusses the importance of comprehensive sexual education for those on the autism spectrum and how sex can and should play a role in those with autism reclaiming their independence."
Listen to the podcast here:
6.21
A year ago, Christopher Manente was excited with the progress of Rutgers’ innovative jobs training program for adults on the autism spectrum. As executive director of the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services, he and his colleagues had guided the development of this groundbreaking program from concept through launch and had achieved initial success helping autistic adults thrive through meaningful employment.
The program engaged a very diverse group of adults on the autism spectrum with a wide range of abilities and support needs, providing a structure of ongoing support, training, and... read more
5.21
Amy Gravino, RCAAS Relationship, spoke with Holly Blanc Moses of The Autism ADHD Podcast to discuss how to better support autistic girls, who are often misunderstood. Together, they examine common issues that girls on the autism spectrum face; acknowledge the importance of safe spaces; and highlight that "asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength."
Listen to the podcast here:
5.21
"Many adults are misdiagnosed, as practitioners who are less familiar with autism in adults may assume that an absence of symptoms they look for in children means the adult does not have autism," Bal says.
Dr. Vanessa H. Bal, Karmazin and Lillard Chair in Adult Autism, RCAAS Co-Director of Research, and RCAAS-Psychological Services Clinic Director continues to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding efforts for progressing the recognized importance of enhanced diagnosis of autism in adulthood. In sharing the current complexities of establishing a diagnosis of ASD in adults... read more
4.21
In this debate-style podcast episode, Amy Gravino, RCAAS Relationship Coach, joins as the first guest debater on ABA Ultimate Showdown, "a podcast promoting constructive, respectful, and professional discourse to advance the field of behavior analysis." Amy joins Angela DiPoce in debating Ashley Callahan in round 10 of the podcast to discuss stereotypy and its place in applied behavioral analysis (ABA).
Listen to the podcast here:
4.21
The newest offering from Rutgers University's Center for Adult Autism Services, a first-of-its-kind, 10,000-square foot Community Center is now operational on the Douglass Campus.
Custom-built and designed with $9.5 million in philanthropic funds, the center currently offers three core programs: SCALE, or Supporting Community Access through Leisure and Employment, a Psychological Services Clinic, and a College Support Program for autistic undergrads.
Read the full article here:
4.21
April is widely known as Autism Awareness month. Many advocates for persons with autism would rather see April declared as Autism Acceptance month. Regardless of your leaning, autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.
In New Jersey there are two extraordinary organizations moving the needle on acceptance and inclusion of persons... read more
4.21
Life-changing news came on a Thursday just before Christmas, in an email so unexpected I nearly deleted it as spam. The subject line: "We have found a genetic cause for your autism."
In 2016, I sent a saliva sample to the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge -- better known as SPARK -- for an autism research study, becoming one of its first participants. After five years of waiting, I assumed that SPARK didn't have any genetic answers about my autism. Even though a personal result would have been amazing, what mattered to me more was what this study could mean for our... read more
2.21
In an interview with Psychiatric News, Dr. Christopher Manente, BCBA, RCAAS Executive Director, stresses that the need for support for individuals with autism does not come to a halt at the age of 21 and how necessary support, such as behavioral therapy from specially trained professionals, can immensely benefit adults on the spectrum.
“We need to professionalize adult autism services in the same manner they are for children,” Manente said. “We know that adults with ASD need a lot of support at any age.”
Read the full article here:
5.20
The May 2020 issue of National Geographic centers around individuals with autism entering adulthood and the challenges that many of them face. Author Judith Newman writes about the difficulties that many adults with autism encounter when trying to find work, love, or be independent while on the spectrum. Newman highlights the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) for being a one-of-a-kind program to help teach adults on the spectrum valuable skills to live and work in the community.
Read the full feature here: