The Sarah Dooley Center for Autism is a school dedicated to serving children ages 5 to 22 diagnosed with autism and other related developmental disabilities. The center uses evidence-based teaching strategies to deliver highly individualized education and behavioral programming for every one of their students. All services are based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), the study of the science of behavior. It has been used successfully since the early 1960’s to address the educational and behavioral issues for students with disabilities.

Their primary goal is to give students the skills necessary to be fully engaged in their community. The center provides students with the communication skills, social skills and self-management skills that will assist them in determining where they live, what they do and who they do it with.

Adam Dreyfus joined the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism after serving the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Technical Assistance Associate at VCU’s Autism Center for Excellence. Adam worked in Region 1 and 8 providing direct services to school divisions, primarily working with Henrico County Public Schools as well as Greensville County Public Schools. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Language and Child Development and went on to earn his Master’s degree in Special Education/Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University’s Teachers College. He studied Verbal Behavior Analysis under Dr. Douglas Greer and was trained in the CABAS system. He holds a Teacher II rank in the system which emphasizes language development and social involvement.

The Sarah Dooley Center for Autism has a strong focus on providing its students with the life skills to help facilitate a successful transition to adulthood. Through the Career and Transition Services of St. Joseph’s Villa, students learn crucial adaptive skills that will help them be a part of their community.