The Autism Experience: Collaboratively Exploring Science, Viewpoints, and Experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorder
By: Amanda Tinkleman
Written by George Washington University Student, Gary Sang. “The Tribe are experts themselves. They know themselves and are experts in what is going on in the field of autism,” said Dr. Sean Cleary, professor of epidemiology. At the Milken Institute School of Public Health, Dr. Cleary advances the research of young adults and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through his graduate residential course titled ‘The Autism Experience: A Public Health Perspective’, undergraduate and graduate students at The George Washington… Read More »The Autism Experience: Collaboratively Exploring Science, Viewpoints, and Experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Partner – Professional Member Spotlight
By: Stephanie Cohen
Ginny Conroy is the founder and managing director of Social Grace LLC, an organization that offers private social and executive function therapy and coaching, along with many other services. Over her years spent working closely with children and young adults as a special educator and behavior specialist, Ginny honed an individualized, uplifting, and interactive approach to developing her students’ social and life skills, an intentional departure from static, scripted social learning groups. Following the birth of her daughter Grace and… Read More »Partner – Professional Member Spotlight
Message From the Chair
By: Paula Manion
Behind the Scenes . . . Our Board of Directors team has been busy working with our team of consultants to clearly define our Strategic Goals and how to accomplish them. The result will clarify and validate our approach to build communities for adults with diverse abilities in inclusive housing. As we continue to partner with affordable housing developers for set aside units in future locations, our vision of being affordable, inclusive ‘City Center NOVA’ communities is becoming a reality.… Read More »Message From the Chair
Gilliam on the Pike
By: Donna Budway
We are happy to report that all of our new friends are settling in at Gilliam Place. We are getting to know each other and our neighbors in the building. We love our new Harris Teeter just a 15 minute walk away. There are We We are happy to report that all of our new friends are settling in at Gilliam Place. We are getting to know each other and our neighbors in the building. We love our new Harris… Read More »Gilliam on the Pike
Sundance
By: Donna Budway
SUNDANCE
For many parents with autistic children, Naoki Higashida’s book, The Reason I Jump, was nothing less that life altering. A collection of 58 questions and answers written by 13-year-old Naoki with a computer and letter board, it was a gateway to understanding our nonspeaking or unreliable speaking autistic children. Translated into English by novelist...Read More »Sundance
City Center NOVA Game Day
By: Stephanie Cohen
Greetings and salutations, City Center NOVA. My name is James Robert Conway Del Polito and I am an adult with autism. I’m a Staff Assistant at the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General. My career initiated on 1/29/2013, and I’ve been successful up to this year, with some bumps in the road. On 2/2/2020, I attended game day at the Fairlington Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. I volunteered to be the Bingo caller, and I did well… Read More »City Center NOVA Game Day
Spotlight on David Finland
By: Stephanie Cohen
My name is David Finland. I am 32 years old. I work a seasonal job for the U.S. Park Service as a U.S. Park Ranger at Wolf Trap from March – September. I have been living on my own for about a year now. I have HFA. I am also a part-time LYFT driver for the DMV. I would like to become a full-time U.S. Park Service employee.
I am an avid runner. I ran the NYC Marathon for Team Achilles ...Read More »Spotlight on David Finland
Featured Member: Andrew
By: Stephanie Cohen
Hi, my name is Andrew. I am 29 and I am big into martial arts. I like to practice karate and I am looking into studying jiujitsu. I have a black belt in Tai Kwan Do. I have many favorite foods. I can’t name them all, but I like pizza, lobster, fried turkey at Thanksgiving time, and I like apple pie. Sometimes I like to work out. My goal is to get into better shape. I am involved with Special… Read More »Featured Member: Andrew
Gilliam Place on the Pike!
By: Stephanie Cohen
by Donna Budway We are in! We haven’t met all of our friends in the building yet, but last weekend, we had our first City Center NOVA meet and greet. The nerves are wearing off and everyone is settling in well – including the parents. We are planning on starting programming at Gilliam Place by mid January. Our community volunteers are eager and ready to start staffing our after school homework clubs, college preparation and yoga classes. Pastor Ashley Goff… Read More »Gilliam Place on the Pike!
December 2019: Message From The Chair
By: Stephanie Cohen
Our team has been working hard the last few months to bring our mission statement to life! Pictured below is Gabe Manion, volunteer Deloitte Consultant and brother to CC NOVA member Mike Manion, applying his professional skills at our extended workshop. Gabe and other Deloitte volunteers took City Center’s entire Board of Directors through professional exercises and goal development to help us validate our approach and sharpen our priorities. Everything we do supports our mission statement. Deloitte Partner Jacqui Winters… Read More »December 2019: Message From The Chair
