Get Started on the Path to College Success
Going to college is the dream of many and higher education should be no less attainable for neurodivergent students, or for those with a diagnosis of a learning disability and/or a related disorder.
The college process, however, is getting more and more complex can seem especially overwhelming when adding special needs to the mix.
Unfortunately, less than 40% of autistic students who enroll in a 2- or 4-year college, or vocational program, complete their degree. Students reported feeling unprepared for the academic, social, and independent-living expectations encountered at college, as reasons for not completing their degrees, according to Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN).
We offer guidance and coaching from the very start, through the application process, until you are on your way as a college freshman and beyond. We work closely with students and parents to identify needs, strengths and wishes, and will help guide the process forward.
Our goal is for our students to go to a college where they feel accepted, where they can be successful, and to succeed both academically and socially once there.
This involves:
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Identifying the right school and submit a successful application
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Build people skills and self-advocacy skills that will help make positive connections with peers, speak with professors, and get the appropriate accommodations
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Strengthen executive function skills, to avoid overwhelm with course loads, a new environment, and to start building an independent life
How do we work?
1.
Introductory Call
During our introductory call, you will learn more about how we work and we get to know your family and you needs. We take a personalized approach and together we will determine the next step and what services serve you and your family the best.
2.
College Counseling Process
Time for the college counseling process. Depending on grade and needs, we may start with recommending high school classes or extracurriculars, or jump right into identifying a list of schools that are tailored to your unique needs and wants. The application process can be complex, but we will help keep you on track.
3.
Review Offers & Decide
When acceptances have arrived, we will help you review the offers, helping you decide based on scholarships, program options, accommodations and other factors that are uniquely important to you.
4.
Freshman Year
This is a big, exciting and scary step for all students, but for students who may have struggled socially or with independence and time management in high school, it can be extra daunting. We will continue our support for as long as you feel that it is beneficial, making sure that you can be successful.
College Success Coaching for Soft Skills
Self-Advocacy, Executive Function and Social Skills
Throughout the process, we include coaching to build the skills that will allow your teen to succeed in college. Neurodivergent college graduate often speak of the importance of self-advocacy, time management and social communication skills. These skills can be practiced while still in high school to build confidence before starting college. Together we will make a plan for what your teen's unique needs are.
Essential College Success Package
This package helps the student and their family gain all the knowledge and confidence you need to complete and submit the college applications independently. Ten College Success sessions are included in this package. These sessions are tailored to your needs, to address social skills, executive function and/or self-advocacy skills.
As part of this package we will:
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go over learning and academic history
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go over current IEP or academic support
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go over current evaluations
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go over student writing sample and transcripts
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go over student's strengths, accomplishments, and activities ("Brag Sheet")
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interview with student and family
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complete a college profile, including "wishes", "must haves", and "no-gos"
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provide general guidance about the college planning and application process
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provide a customized list of colleges carefully researched to take into account:
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student profile
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learning and academic history
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support needs
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strengths, wishes and priorities
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careful review of each college will be done together
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recommendations for college visits will be provided
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create a resume
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high school course selection guidance
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provide extra-curricular guidance
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provide an application strategy, checklist and suggested timeline
After each session we will decide together what the focus for the following session should be. You will be asked to complete appropriate steps between sessions.
This package is appropriate for students in 10-11 grade.
Comprehensive College Success Package
This full service package is for families that want experienced guidance from start to finish. It includes everything in the Essentials Package, plus:
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project management of college applications, to keep your student on track during the process
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guidance during the application process
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guidance for college visits and demonstrated interest
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guidance for navigation of accommodations and contact with college disability
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essay guidance
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supplemental essays guidance
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interview prep if appropriate
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guidance if waitlisted or deferred
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guidance when comparing acceptance offers
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personalized support to answer any questions that arise
After each session we will decide together what the focus for the following session should be. You will be asked to complete appropriate steps between sessions.
This package is appropriate for students in 10-12 grade.
Custom Packages
Please contact us to discuss custom packages tailored to your unique needs!
Senior Express Package
This package is for families with students entering senior year who have yet to get started. Don't worry! We will help you get through this process and meet those deadlines. Ten College Success sessions are included in this package. These sessions are tailored to your needs, to address social skills, executive function and/or self-advocacy skills.
As part of this package, we will:
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go over learning and academic history
-
go over current IEP or academic support
-
go over current evaluations
-
go over student writing sample and transcripts
-
go over student's strengths, accomplishments, and activities ("Brag Sheet")
-
interview with student and family
-
provide a customized list of colleges carefully researched to take into account:
-
student profile
-
learning and academic history
-
support needs
-
strengths, wishes and priorities
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careful review of each recommended college
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college visit advising
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essay guidance
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application strategy, checklist and timeline
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project management for application of up to six collages, including supplemental essays, interview guidance
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guidance if waitlisted or deferred
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guidance when comparing acceptance offers
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personalized support to answer any questions that arise
College Success Add-ons
People Skills/Social Skills, Self-Advocacy, Executive Function
College acceptance is only one piece of the puzzle. In order to be successful in college, forming positive relationships and self advocacy is crucial, as are executive function skills that will keep you on track with school work and daily living tasks. These shills are a critical part of student's college experience and success. We start with an extensive, exploratory intake to determine what the student's unique needs and strengths are. Based on that, we together map out a plan for what to work on and a recommendation for the number of sessions. College Success add-ons are offered in packages of 10, 15 or 20.
People skills, aka social communication skills, coaching addresses, among other things:
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how to make friends in college
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how to make deeper friendships
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how to engage in small talk
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how to find a roommate (if that is the right choice for you)
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how to get along with a roommate
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manage expectations for dorm living (if applicable)
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and much more
Self Advocacy coaching addresses, among other things:
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how to get the accommodations you need
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how to speak with professors about your accommodations and needs
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speaking to roommates and classmates about your needs and help them understand how your and your mind works
Cognitive or Executive Function Coaching
Studying and potentially living on campus is a large leap from high school and living at home. Self motivation, setting priorities, managing course loads, while having time for social interaction can be challenging. Add to that, that you may now need to take care of your own laundry and figure out when and where to eat. Executive Function coaching can address, among other things:
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how to organize your time
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how to find motivation and get started on projects
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how to keep track of assignments
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how to prioritize assignments and coursework
To get the most out of the coaching, it is recommended that it is provided before starting college, during senior year, or earlier, and continuing into into freshman fall as needed.
These session are tailored to each student's unique needs and are offered in packages of 10, 15 or 20.