Summer Programs
Is your child interested in going to college, but maybe needs a boost before they get there? There are many summer programs aimed at helping students on the spectrum transition to college that you and your child may wish to consider. The benefit of a summer program is that it's a time to "try out" a college experience and make sure they're thoroughly prepared before they do the real thing. If that sounds like something you and your child would be interested in, here are a few programs you may wish to consider, along with brief descriptions adapted from their own websites.
1. The College Living Experience
CLE Summer Exploration is a program for diverse learners that offers a preview of independent living in a college environment, with intensive support to build the educational, vocational, social and independent living skills needed for transition to adulthood. During this three-week summer experience, students with various learning exceptionalities follow a schedule and participate in classes to prepare them for life after high school. In addition, students are introduced to living on their own and will practice self advocacy on campus and in the community. CLE Summer Exploration is open to students entering their senior year of high school, or who have recently graduated.
2. CIP (College Internship Program)
Teens ages 16 to 19 with Learning Differences have a unique opportunity to learn the valuable skills necessary for making a well-prepared transition from high school to college or while pursuing vocational interests. Participants will have many chances to practice their new skills in a supported environment where they feel successful and build self-confidence. During our two busy weeks, participants will be introduced to CIP's comprehensive curriculum, develop goals through the Person-Centered Planning process and practice independent living skills. The program is located at several different university campuses around the United States.
3. Talisman Programs
This three week program is especially designed for young adults, 18-22. Participants will live together and focus on learning to become healthy and responsible adults. There will be informal assessments of independent living skills, job readiness, job aptitude and interests, considering educational options. Young adults will participate in wilderness activities geared towards building the problem-solving and communication skills critical to living independently as adults. Activities include backpacking, climbing, paddling, field trips to colleges and job sites, community service and group lessons on social, independent living and transitional skills.
4. Minnesota Life College Summer Internship Program
The Summer Internship Program is 100% hands-on learning, taught by MLC instructors and job coaches. This opportunity will provide students the chance to develop their social skills and participate in fun community activities, develop their work skills through an internship experience, with a student stipend at the end of the 3 weeks, and develop their independent living skills including: organization, budgeting, healthy choices and safety. Side Note: This program is different from the College Internship Program in #2 and is oriented more towards developing life and independent living skills which could then be applied to a college setting. That said, it also appears to be oriented towards less 'high functioning' people, so that's a factor to take into consideration.
5. Spectrum College Transition Summer Program
In this program, located in Arizona, students live in a dorm and experience college life first hand. There is a structured overnight program with 24-7 resident directors and medication coverage. The goals of this program include learning about the expectations of college (even going on college visits) and learning to be independent (cooking, laundry, money management, etc). There are five two week Co-Ed Sessions beginning June 3rd.
1. The College Living Experience
CLE Summer Exploration is a program for diverse learners that offers a preview of independent living in a college environment, with intensive support to build the educational, vocational, social and independent living skills needed for transition to adulthood. During this three-week summer experience, students with various learning exceptionalities follow a schedule and participate in classes to prepare them for life after high school. In addition, students are introduced to living on their own and will practice self advocacy on campus and in the community. CLE Summer Exploration is open to students entering their senior year of high school, or who have recently graduated.
2. CIP (College Internship Program)
Teens ages 16 to 19 with Learning Differences have a unique opportunity to learn the valuable skills necessary for making a well-prepared transition from high school to college or while pursuing vocational interests. Participants will have many chances to practice their new skills in a supported environment where they feel successful and build self-confidence. During our two busy weeks, participants will be introduced to CIP's comprehensive curriculum, develop goals through the Person-Centered Planning process and practice independent living skills. The program is located at several different university campuses around the United States.
3. Talisman Programs
This three week program is especially designed for young adults, 18-22. Participants will live together and focus on learning to become healthy and responsible adults. There will be informal assessments of independent living skills, job readiness, job aptitude and interests, considering educational options. Young adults will participate in wilderness activities geared towards building the problem-solving and communication skills critical to living independently as adults. Activities include backpacking, climbing, paddling, field trips to colleges and job sites, community service and group lessons on social, independent living and transitional skills.
4. Minnesota Life College Summer Internship Program
The Summer Internship Program is 100% hands-on learning, taught by MLC instructors and job coaches. This opportunity will provide students the chance to develop their social skills and participate in fun community activities, develop their work skills through an internship experience, with a student stipend at the end of the 3 weeks, and develop their independent living skills including: organization, budgeting, healthy choices and safety. Side Note: This program is different from the College Internship Program in #2 and is oriented more towards developing life and independent living skills which could then be applied to a college setting. That said, it also appears to be oriented towards less 'high functioning' people, so that's a factor to take into consideration.
5. Spectrum College Transition Summer Program
In this program, located in Arizona, students live in a dorm and experience college life first hand. There is a structured overnight program with 24-7 resident directors and medication coverage. The goals of this program include learning about the expectations of college (even going on college visits) and learning to be independent (cooking, laundry, money management, etc). There are five two week Co-Ed Sessions beginning June 3rd.
These are only a few of the many programs out there that you may wish to consider. Many other programs I found were very location specific (for example, I found one that only accepts students from two counties in Indiana) or were tied into your child attending their college program as well. Such programs are not posted here, as they are too specific, but I recommend you do your own searching to see what your child's desired university offers or what programs are in your region.
