The STAR Initiative is building and testing new ways to share up-to-date knowledge and best-practice information with the broader community.  Our approach includes sharing new scientific discoveries, resources, and evidence-based practices online. We also develop and offer face-to-face and virtual workshops, seminars, and conferences. 

Outreach Partners

We are actively collaborating with schools, community agencies, healthcare and service providers, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders across the Commonwealth. If you are interested in partnering with STAR through research, training or outreach, please email [email protected].

Outreach Projects: VA-LINKS

The goal of Virginia Autism LINKS: Leading Innovation through Navigation, Knowledge and Supports is to enhance access to evidence-based, comprehensive, coordinated, culturally competent, and family-centered care for children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities in underserved areas of Virginia. 

Virginia Autism-LINKS

Outreach Opportunities

Autism Hope Summit

The Autism Hope Summit is an annual conference hosted by STAR that gathers autism self-advocates, families, service providers, clinicians, educators, and friends to network together and learn about advocacy, research innovations, and autism resources available to our community.


Autism Works-in-Progress

This monthly forum is for researchers from our UVa community to share updates on their work, answer questions, and get feedback from their colleagues. For more information, e-mail [email protected]


Autism Journal Club

In this monthly series hosted by a postdoctoral research associate, participants review and discuss a recent journal article related to autism. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Presentation Archives

Visit Autism DRIVE to view archived presentations from our events, including our annual summit.