ASD Support Services provides services to help adolescents, young adults and their families who are living with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disorders by offering options that are available and holistic and comprehensive support to address the needs of the student and the family.

Christopher S. Carlin, MSW LCSW is the President of ASD Support Services and has worked with struggling adolescents and their families for over 25 years, with the last five years specifically working with those with non-verbal learning disabilities and Asperger's Syndrome. Chris is a member of Asperger's Association of New England, the National Association of Social Workers and is EMDR trained. Barbara Hughes, EdD, LPC, LMFT is Chris's Associate and she also has 25 years experience working with families, with 22 of those years as a Psychotherapist. With two years working with adolescents and young adults with non-verbal learning disabilities and Asperger's, Barbara has facilitated groups for STEP and ACOA and has memberships with Kappa Delta Pi, the American Counseling Association, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and the American Mental Health Counselors Association. She too, is EMDR trained. ASD Support Services Advisory Board consists of several professionals with an expertise in working with special needs youth, these include: Marcia Rubenstein MA, CEP, an educational consultant in Connecticut; Margie Schaffel M.Ed, LICSW, an educational consultant in Massachusetts and Peter W. Stevens MA, also an educational consultant in Massachusetts.

Once a student is assessed and appropriate for services through an initial consultation, a pre-evaluation is completed to determine the levels of services needed, goals are set and phase one of services are outlined for a three month period. Students receive an individualized plan that includes hands on support with independent living skills, organizational functioning concerns, in addition to self advocacy, working with social difficulties and emotional regulation in order to achieve a positive long term development. ASD also supports families by increasing parenting and communication skills, advocacy skills and work with the family system to tackle pressing student issues. The use of Skype or other video conferencing system is used for counseling and meeting with the student and family throughout the services.

ASD Support Services also provides specialized services and training for schools and programs. These services may include: training in ASD for teachers and administrators, facilitation of groups for students with ASD, assisting with IEP's and 504 development for insuring students needs are met, provide counseling services for ASD students and families and create a partnership between the school district and family to access services.

[This information came from the ASD Support Services web site.]