Peninsula School at The Faison Center

11/11/2025

Today we honor the courage and service of all veterans – including members of our Faison family. Thank you for your dedication. 🇺🇸

11/06/2025

Halloween at The Peninsula School was full of spirited fun in our "haunted hallways"! 👻🎭

Students and staff showed off creative costumes, enjoyed classroom celebrations and shared plenty of smiles throughout the day. Events like this remind us just how special our Faison community is — from Newport News to Richmond! 💙🍬

10/31/2025

No tricks here – just treats and smiles from our Faison crew! 🎃

Happy Halloween to all our Pioneers and families!

10/24/2025

Welcome to the Peninsula School, Dr. Stacha Leslie-Trottier, BCBA! Get to know our new Senior Educational Coordinator.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻?
The primary reason I pursued a Ph.D. was to address the disconnect I observed between pre-service teacher preparation and real-world implementation — especially for students with profound autism. Faison’s culture of "always learning and always improving" deeply resonated with me. I was excited to join a team that values humility, embraces change and empowers staff to achieve the best outcomes for their students.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯?
Working alongside incredible teachers and teaching assistants who show up every day for their students. My role is to ensure they feel seen, valued and supported. Watching them grow in confidence and competence — and knowing I’ve played a part in that journey — is deeply fulfilling.

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?
A new student who had struggled in school before came off the bus after just two days here and said, "I love school! I am so happy!" That moment reminded me how transformative the right environment can be.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺?
Individuals with autism have so much to offer the world, especially those who communicate in non-traditional ways. You should count yourself blessed if you have the opportunity to support them.

Outside of work, Stacha loves spending time with her husband, Miguel, and their furbaby, Burrhus 🐾 — exploring new trails, traveling and enjoying their local community together.

We’re so glad to have you on our team, Stacha! 💙

10/15/2025

🚒🔥 A big thank you to our friends from Richmond Fire Department’s Station 18 for stopping by The Faison Center’s Richmond campus!

Our youngest learners loved getting to explore the firetruck — climbing inside, checking out the gear, and meeting the heroes who help keep our community safe. ❤️

Building these relationships with local first responders helps our students learn, connect and grow in meaningful ways. 👩‍🚒👨‍🚒

10/02/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our 2025 Breakfast and Birdies! 🏌️‍♂️✨ We had a wonderful day of fellowship, golf and community in support of the Peninsula School at The Faison Center. Together, we’re advancing our mission of providing evidence-based treatment for children and youth with autism. 💙

This year’s event also honored the memory and contributions of our dear friend and colleague, Sydney Johnson. Her legacy continues to inspire us every day.

A special thank you to our generous sponsors who made this event possible!

TowneBank
National Exterminating Company Inc
Old Point
Abbitt Realty Co.
USI Insurance Services
C.A. Barrs Contractor

09/17/2025

✨ Staff Spotlight: Meet Patrice Hicks, program manager of Group Day!
💙 Patrice has been with Faison for just over two years, and her heart for helping others shines through every day. Find out why:

👉 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣?
“I’ve always had a heart for helping others, and when I learned about Faison’s mission, I knew it was a place where I could make a real difference.”

👉 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙗?
“Seeing our clients light up when they accomplish something new. Even the smallest steps bring so much joy.”

👉 𝘼 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩?
“When a client used a choice board on their own for the first time. The excitement on their face was priceless!”

👉𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙮:
“I meet each client where they are — with patience, visuals, routines and lots of encouragement.”

Outside of work, Patrice is a busy mom of four, runs her own braid business, and loves plants 🌱 and nature trails 🌳. Help us celebrate Patrice for her compassion and dedication! 💐

Interested in joining Patrice in a career with purpose? Learn more about working at Faison and our latest openings: https://loom.ly/r2N6qOI

09/11/2025

🎨 Henrico artist Shaina Cilimberg is sharing her creative vision with Richmond this month. Her latest collection, RVA Scenes, is on display at anne's Visual Art Studio Gallery through October.

Shaina, who calls The Faison Residence home, uses art to express herself and connect with her community. “I want to tell the public, you know, hey, those of us with disabilities like to do the same things other young people like to do,” she said.

Check out this recent article on her work - and come celebrate her artistry and Richmond’s creative spirit!

https://loom.ly/LyjGX9U

For Henrico artist Shaina Cilimberg, creating art is a form of expression and a way to connect with the community. Both have been particularly important for her as a person living with autism, ADHD, OCD and physical disabilities. Cilimberg's latest work – RVA Scenes – will be on display at anne'...

09/05/2025

The Faison Center isn’t just a place for teaching and supporting individuals with autism – we’re also pushing the boundaries of research to improve treatment and outcomes.

💡📘 Our team of researchers recently published a peer-reviewed study that looked at common problem behaviors among preschoolers with and without autism. Here’s what we found:

👉 Challenging behaviors (like tantrums or defiance) happen for most preschoolers – whether they are neurotypical or on the spectrum.
👉 These behaviors are more frequent among preschoolers with autism, but they also show up regularly in their neurotypical peers.
👉 The older children get, the less often these behaviors occur across both groups.

Why does this matter? These insights give teachers, therapists and parents a clearer understanding of what’s “to be expected” in early childhood – and help set more realistic, socially valid goals for behavior interventions for all children.

At Faison, we’re proud to be leading research that not only informs our own classrooms but also shapes the broader field of autism treatment.

📖 Learn more here: https://loom.ly/jbPL8b8

Nearly four decades of research indicates that young children with developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) benefit from receiving behavior analysis services during the earliest, criti...

08/29/2025

✨ The Residence Refresh: More progress! ✨

Our common spaces are transforming every week, and here’s the latest update:

✔️ Hallway lights & carpet installed on all floors
✔️ New ceiling tiles throughout the building
✔️ Drywall up on new Community Room workspaces
✔️ Carpet installed in the lobby
✔️ New roof drains added in the Community Room

Currently, our first-floor hallways are getting a fresh coat of paint — with upper floors next in line! 🎨

We’re so excited to see The Faison Residence becoming an even better place for our community to live, learn and grow. 💙

08/15/2025

🚧 The Residence Refresh: Week 2 Update! 🚧

We’re making great strides at The Faison Residence:

✨ Carpet installation is underway in the hallways
✨ Outdoor patio work is nearly complete
✨ Framing has started for the new work spaces in the community room

The Faison Residence is more than a building. It’s an inclusive, supportive home where adults with autism can live as independently and successfully as possible.

Stay tuned for next week’s progress!

08/13/2025

🌟 Like many of our team members, Jasmine Yi joined the Peninsula School at The Faison Center because she wanted to work somewhere where she could make a difference. Get to know Jasmine:

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁?
The students. When you see them smile because they’ve succeeded at something, it’s really special to see.

𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁?
My favorite is when a student in my classroom began using sign language to communicate and started verbalizing ‘no.’ Working in a nonverbal classroom, it’s exciting to watch the students communicate in new ways.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲?
Every student is different and has different needs, so I take my time and see where they’re at for the day. Every student requires patience, kindness and respect.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺?
They are all individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. The students I work with every day make great strides weekly, and it’s extremely rewarding to see them grow.

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
If you’re here to help the students, then you’ll find a second home here.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
I have a master's degree in forensic psychology, which I hope to someday use to integrate the criminal justice field with ABA. I want individuals in the system who have autism to be treated fairly.