LARC Autism Resource Center


LARC's Autism Resource Center provides free webinars on topics that are helpful to families with children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.  The center will be open in the fall of 2021, when programs and services will be made available to the community.  The goal of the center is to help families enable their children and young adults with autism to live full lives in the community. 

Accepting Applications for Coordinator of New Autism Resource Center  (click here)

Free Monthly Webinars
May - An Evening with the Department of Developmental Services (more information)
Webinar Replays Available
April
Learning to Eat New Foods
Webinar Slideshow
Participant Survey
March
Understanding the Autism Waiver

​DSS Powerpoint Presentation

Connecticut’s Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services​ - Transition Tips

​Participant Survey
February
"My Child Will Never Do That"

LARC receives grant to install sensory garden

LARC has been awarded a grant from Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation to create a sensory garden behind the agency’s offices at 314 Main St., Torrington.

“The sensory garden will be an important part of LARC’s new Autism Resource Center as a place for programming, as well as respite for program participants, family members, staff, and guests,” according to a statement.

LARC receives funding for new Autism Resource Center

LARC has been awarded funding of $150,000.00 from the Robert Rosenheim Foundation for the creation and development of an autism resource center in Torrington. The funds will be paid out over three phases in a three-year period.  “We are very happy to support the work that the resource center will provide to Litchfield County youth and their families,” noted Michael Samartino, board member of the Robert Rosenheim Foundation.

“LARC is deeply gratified for the support from the Robert Rosenheim Foundation,” said Michael Menard, LARC executive director.  “This certainly is one of the most important projects for the city of Torrington and surrounding towns.  We are honored to have the support of the foundation.”  (click above link for full article)
Autism Resource Center Consultants
Kathy Riberdy is a Special Educator and Consultant for LARC.  Kathy received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Dowling College and then went on to receive her Master's Degree in Special Education.  Kathy has taught individuals with disabilities ranging from pre-school through young adult.  She has worked in several school districts including Avon, West Hartford, Torrington and Canton.  She began consulting for LARC in 2007 and has taught programs including Interview Preparedness and Project SEARCH.  Her experiences have provided opportunities to assist individuals on the autism spectrum achieve their goals.  She is currently consulting for LARC's new Autism Resource Center.  Kathy lives in Colebrook, CT and enjoys spending time at home with her husband, two daughters and two Brittany Spaniels.

Lou Ann Roberto is a certified regular and special education teacher who taught for 31 years in the Connecticut and Utah public school systems.  She has a diverse knowledge of teaching children and young adults in numerous K-12 programs.  She worked for the State Department of Education as a State Assessor for beginning teachers and obtained National Board Certification for teaching in 2000.  After her retirement, she was hired as the Coordinator for the Transition Program at LARC.  Currently, she is living in New York State pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.
Autism Resource Center Advisory Committee

​Matthew Carbone is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked with special education programs throughout North America.  A member of LARC’s Board of Directors, Matt is pursuing a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis.  He has extensive experience working in the field of Autism and will bring a wealth of knowledge to his role as a member of the advisory committee.
Rebeka Antonelli is the parent of a teenaged son with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has run her own business, Clean as a Whistle, for ten years, and currently works as an Educator for the World Awareness Children's Museum, implementing outreach and in-house programs focused on art and culture.  Rebeka volunteered for many years in her children's elementary, middle and high school PTAs as secretary, committee head, and member. She was a Girl Scout troop leader and is part founder and executive director for KKC Cares, a non profit that assists individuals and families through traumatic and abusive circumstances. 
Beth Lambert is a board certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst (CT and NY) who works with students 3 to 16 years of age at the CREC River Street Autism Program.  She received her Master of Science degree from Central Connecticut State University and completed her Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Saint Joseph.  Beth taught middle school language arts and math for ten years before taking a break from her career to raise her sons, one of whom is on the autism spectrum.  Beth is a past President of Connecticut Families for Effective Treatment (CT FEAT).
Davyne Verstandig was a lecturer in English and Creative Writing at the University of Connecticut. (retired June 2020 after 25 years.) Her books include two books of poetry, Pieces of the Whole and Provisions and her work appears in Sex and Sexuality in a Feminist World, Songs of the Marrow Bone, Where Beach Meets Ocean, This One Has No Name, The Monday Poets, and the forth coming anthology with an introduction by Margaret Gibson, CT Poet Laureate, Waking Up to the Earth, Connecticut Poets in a Time of Global Climate Crisis.  She has also performed improvisational work “composing on the tongue” painting and poetry at The Knitting Factory and Housing Works Café in New York City and  given readings throughout New England.  She gives writing workshops at  Wisdom House  Retreat Center in Litchfield and at Camp Washington Episcopal Retreat Center in Morris.  She is Poet Laureate Emerita of Washington and is a Justice of the Peace.

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