A teacher who helps preside over a program for students with autism, Carrie Jones knows full well some aspects the general public might not understand.

A Giles County family is cookin’ up a one-of-a-kind business.

St. Vincent's home has now merged with the Virginia Institute of Autism.

Children with autism are often overlooked during the transition from high school to adulthood, but a workshop at the Hotel Roanoke today helped parents and supporters bridge the gap.

Whatever you’re greeted with, not greeted with, or what trick-or-treaters come to your doorstep on Halloween night, one thing is for sure: “A little kindness goes a long way.”

Carilion Clinic is calling on families to help in a study to potentially improve irritability, aggressive and self-harming behaviors through the gut, rather than the brain.

A Roanoke mother raising children with autism strives to help similar parents who also battle a language barrier.

COVID-19 led to major learning loss for children, but without interaction and an inability to have therapy, children with autism faced a much greater challenge.

Legoland Florida Resort is officially designated as a certified autism center, making it the first theme park resort to receive this certification.

We introduce you to a young man who's breaking the mold of what life on the spectrum looks like.

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

5 things to know about neurodiversity and why it's becoming a hot topic.

Considering this month is an important time to learn more about autism, we thought we’d ask you, our readers and viewers: If any of you have a close connection to autism spectrum disorder (perhaps you’ve been diagnosed, or you have a friend or child with autism), is there anything you wish more people understood?

April marks National Autism Awareness Month.

One way to cope with any extra stress or anxiety is to have the kids engage in play time to help develop motor skills, social skills and language development, according to Dr. Jen Harstein, a children’s developmental psychologist who works with autistic children daily.

Autism can be explained medically as a bio-neurological development disability, but to get into the nuanced details is quite a bit more complicated.

A young boy’s parents are grateful to a police officer who showed up at their home after an unusual 911 call from their 12-year-old son with autism.

The creators of the show, “Farm! A Musical Experience,” designed the play specifically for children with autism, and for other kids who are neurodiverse.

The all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a certified autism center, leaders announced Tuesday at the IAAPA Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.

For much of his life, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, has dealt with exclusion from his peers.

For Anthony and Sammy Taormina, there are two dates that define their lives as people with Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

Track and field and swimming are among the team sports that might be best for children with autism.

Finding love can be hard for anyone.

April has widely been known as Autism Awareness Month in the U.S., as a way to empower people living with autism and their families.

These instruments provide good and simple ways for children with autism or other sensory disorders to develop motor skills and have fun.

There’s a new friend in the neighborhood!“ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” that is.

Autism may bring challenges for those who live with it, but celebrities with autism have shown they can achieve tremendous things and fulfill their dreams.

For many children on the autism spectrum, routine is everything.

Disney offers a special card for those who have trouble waiting in long lines because of a disability.

For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on “Sesame Street,” you are in luck.

After dealing with exclusion by his peers over the years, Timothy Rohrer, a now-young adult who was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader, penned and published a pamphlet in which he basically guides people on how to treat those with disabilities.

Nationally and internationally, April is a big month for autism awareness.

Jaxon Maples is a 4-year-old boy with autism, and many days, he has trouble communicating and speaking clearly. But there is one place where those things aren’t a problem for him.

I struggled to fit in with my neurotypical peers at school, my job, on social media, and even at a teen youth group. Posted by Tim Rohrer - Tips4Inclusion on Saturday, April 13, 2019Rohrer’s mother, Amy, said her son has gotten a remarkable response. This guide will help you get a better understanding of people with disabilities and what they really need in their lives. The signs of a disability as listed above are involuntary and it does not make up who they really are. Invite them to parties such as birthday parties, pool parties, BBQ parties, graduation parties, Halloween parties, Christmas parties, and Sweet 16’s.

As April draws closer to its close, perhaps it's the right time to stop and reflect on all the autism outreach and autism awareness campaigns that the month has brought. For example, by now, some people are aware that a good handful of iconic buildings "go blue" in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Autism SpeaksAnd check out this international soccer match, held in Mexico on April 7. Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesFinally, did you know people in the baseball community are working toward creating a universally accessible Dodgers Dreamfield at Jack Bulik Park? Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty ImagesDid you catch any local events that took place in your community?

Could there be a connection between a mother’s exposure to pesticides during her pregnancy, and an increased risk for autism in her child? Scientists have been researching the potential effects of pesticide exposure on infants and developing fetuses, and they recently determined that exposure to the most commonly used pesticides was in fact linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder. When they looked at diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder that also came with intellectual disabilities, they found on average 30% higher rates among children who were exposed to the pesticides while in utero. Perhaps that’s why Ondine S. von Ehrenstein, an associate professor at UCLA who led the study, chose to examine these pesticides in humans. Some women might not even know if they’re exposed to pesticides, or about the areas in which they live.

ROANOKE, Va. – April is Autism Awareness month. Word Autism Day is Tuesday, April 2. Different community organizations will come together in Roanoke to light up Elmwood Park blue from 6 to 8 p.m. The Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center wants to increase the understanding and acceptance of people with autism with multiple events this month. For more on other events, you can visit braacroanoke.org

Whether it’s to provide relaxation or to develop coordination or motor skills, playing music instruments is a great activity for kids who have autism. UkuleleStrumming strings on this instrument helps develop motor control, and it has four strings compared to a full-size guitar with six strings. Xylophone/glockenspielAnother small and inexpensive instrument (ranging from $50 to $100), this helps kids with autism develop impulse control and hand-eye coordination. BongosSimply hitting bongos can be a good way to enjoy sound and work off some energy. But if there's a desire to get more in-depth, learning to play them along to music develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

BUCHANAN, Va. – The James River wrestling team won the Region 2C championship in dominating fashion. This is a grueling sport, to have that smile every day is unusual," said James River wrestling coach Bobby Stewart. In the 170-pound region championship match, Caleb was the underdog and trailed throughout the match. Caleb won the region championship with a pin with one second left on the clock. Caleb is going to be a senior next season and has another shot at getting on the podium.

RICHMOND, Va. – Families whose children have autism could soon breathe a sigh of relief. On Tuesday, the House of Delegates Committee on Commerce and Labor unanimously voted in favor of a bill that would lift the age cap on autism health coverage. And although the services they need may lessen with age, autism doesn't stop," said McFarland. Lavada Guthrie and other parents with the Virginia Autism Project have been pushing lawmakers for this type of legislation. “No other prevalent health condition, including asthma, diabetes and cancer, has coverage limits imposed based on the age of the patient, and I believe age limits do not belong on coverage for autism," said Delegate Bob Thomas (R-Stafford), the patron of the bill.

SALEM, Va. – Christian Walton didn't have to campaign to become the mayor at Salem High School. His classmate Katie Elting said Walton’s high spirit is what makes him one of the most popular students in his class. I make everybody smile every day at the high school,” Walton said. Teacher Logan George of Salem High School said he loves to talk to everyone. Thursday afternoon, the high school honor student became a graduate.

SALEM, Va. – Seven-year-old Gabe Manus loves tiny cars. The Hot Wheels lover was the life of his birthday party, drawing in a packed crowd of more than 60 supporters Saturday afternoon. His mother Stephanie Manus said Gabe, who has autism, didn't think anyone would come. So this year the Cherab Foundation decided to encourage the community to come to Gabe’s party. The community really came together to support him,” Manus said.

Starting this spring, Virginia Tech faculty and students will use the mobile clinic to help families who have children with autism. “This is an opportunity we have to reach beyond our local community into areas where I know there's a great need,” Angela Scarpa, an associate professor of Virginia Tech, said. The group will drive the RV several times a week about 115 miles southwest from Blacksburg. “There is very limited services for everyone for the southwest so we're hoping to bring services to them,” Jennifer Scott, rural outreach coordinator of Virginia Tech, said. They will offer therapy sessions for families and children in Virginia's central Appalachian region.