About

Our Mission

The Indiana Resource Center for Autism is dedicated to promoting and contributing to the well-being, self-advocacy, and autonomy of Autistic individuals across the Autism spectrum and throughout all stages of life. We empower individuals and engage systems through three branches of the IRCA: Training, School, and
Community.

Training Opportunities

We provide a variety of training and professional development opportunities to help both current educators and future professionals in the field enhance their knowledge and expertise as they support Autistic individuals. Our Training Opportunities branch is also home to the CARAFE Research Lab: Counseling, Advocacy, and Research on the Autistic Female Experience.

Training Opportunities

School Support Services

Schools and educators are an integral part of supporting individuals on the Autism spectrum. We have multiple options for training and programming to support you in working with Autistic students. Our school support services branch consists of the Indiana Autism Learn and Collaborate (IALC) Initiative, Structured Teaching based on the TEACHH® model, paraprofessional training modules, and many other training and professional development opportunities for educators.

School Support Services

Community Outreach and Support

The Community Outreach and Support branch of the IRCA is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and understanding community that celebrates and supports the unique needs of Autistic individuals and their families through initiatives and programming.

Community Outreach and Support

We Are Here For You

The work of IRCA covers a wide range of activities focused on providing Indiana professionals, family members, community members, Autistic individuals, and others who are interested with the knowledge and skills to support children and adults in typical early intervention, school, community, work, post-secondary and home settings.

Contact IRCA

What Does IRCA Do/Not Do?

The staff of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) engage in a range of activities that impact:

  • Individuals with Autism: Across all ages and the entire Autism spectrum.
  • Family Members: Providing support and resources.
  • Professionals: Assisting those who serve individuals with Autism.

What we DO:

  • Organize and conduct training and professional development opportunities
  • Engage in applied research
  • Develop and distribute an E-newsletter
  • Assist in maintaining a library collection of relevant materials for public distribution
  • Maintain an active presence on social media, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Pinterest
  • Create and maintain a robust offering of digital resources, including articles, videos, visual supports, and more
  • Support the efforts of families and family groups. Contact us to be added to our parent listserv!
  • Support students at Indiana University via training opportunities for IU students and the Students on the Spectrum (S.O.S) Club
  • Organize and continually work with a network of autism leaders across Indiana to support their efforts as an extension of team training
  • Offer school support services to educators and professionals through programming and training opportunities
  • Perhaps the activity that keeps us the busiest is responding to the numerous emails and calls requesting assistance, guidance, and resources related to programming and service options. Every year, IRCA staff answer hundreds of requests for information about topics that range from behavior to insurance coverage. As Indiana’s statewide and state-mandated autism center, IRCA is committed to responding with accurate and timely information that addresses the needs of individuals across the autism spectrum and across the lifespan. 

While we engage in many activities, there are many activities outside our work scope. However, we can refer families, professionals, and other interested individuals to programs that provide services that IRCA does not provide.


What we DO NOT do:

  • Provide direct services
  • Attend case conferences as advocates
  • Lobby or influence policy within the legal framework
  • Provide financial support


As a Center serving the benefit of all Autistic Hoosiers, we remain neutral on matters that do not support all Hoosiers.