training opportunities that promote acquisition of the functional,
social and career skills necessary for students to live productive
lives. Contact the school for fees.
Colorado
“The ASD Program at Purchase College has done
so much for me and others! When I was first coming
into college, I felt very alone as an autistic person,
but when I went to my first support group meeting, I
started to feel less alone. I was still shy and scared, of
course, but I knew that there were other autistic people
at college with me who would understand what it’s
been like for me.
This past April we conducted our 2nd Annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Panel and Talent
Showcase, the goal of which is to educate our community about autistic people, autism, and autism acceptance. The first year we did this we got two standing
ovations, and people even interrupted me when I
said I was autistic to clap and quickly cheer me for it.
I’d never experienced autism acceptance before that
point in such overt amounts let alone from a group of
strangers. That day I felt more acceptance from them
than I had from my family and friends up until that
point. The second year was great overall, but there’s so
much more I wish I got the chance to say at the second one but for a combination of reasons I was unable
to say it, but I’m confident I’ll be ready next year for
sure!”
~ David Cusack Johnson
David is s student and a peer mentor with the ASD
Purchase Program as well as a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Board Member (Purchase College Representative) for the New
York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and
Student Fundraiser for the Office of Institutional Advancement at Purchase College.
The Colorado State University Opportunities for Postsecondary Success (OPS) program is for CSU students with learning differences and/or disabilities who may benefit from weekly
one-on-one support services. These services are in addition to
standard academic accommodations provided through the Resources for Disabled Students Office. The program fee is $1,500
per semester plus regular tuition and housing. Grant funding provides a limited number of free scholarships for up to two semesters on a first-come, first-served basis for students on the autism
spectrum.
Florida
Georgia
Marino Campus, developed by The Dan Marino Foundation,
is a licensed post-secondary school that prides itself in being the
logical “next step” in promoting the independence of autistic
individuals and other students with developmental disabilities.
One-year programs of study include Hospitality, Computer Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Retail. Additional core courses
include Finance, Employability and Social Skills Training, Business Etiquette, Health and Computer Safety. Once the student has
completed the program, the Campus’ Career Services Department
assists in job placement and support. Tuition for the one-year
program is approximately $18,600 and covers the cost of instructors, curriculum and administration as well as student support
services, peer and academic mentoring, case management, career
counseling, internship, job coaching, industry certification fees
and student-life activities. Limited scholarships and financial aid
may be available for those who qualify.
The GOALS Program at
Columbus State University
is a two-year certificate program that provides a college
experience for individuals with
intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Students complete
36 credit hours of inclusive and
program-specific courses along
with work-related internships
that are designed to support
the academic and personal
leadership development of
students. Spaces are limited, so
students are encouraged to apply early. For more information
and tuition fees, contact the
school directly.
Nova Southeastern University - ACCESS PLUS provides autistic students services to support their academic achievement, to
live independently—and to participate fully in campus life. Access
Plus students may receive support in keeping their dorm rooms
organized and clean, developing and maintaining schedules to ensure attendance at classes and completion of assignments, career
planning, job coaching, support groups, tutors and more. The fee
for Access Plus is $8,000 per semester. This is in addition to Nova
Southeastern University’s tuition schedule for undergraduate
programs.
University of West Florida - Argos for Autism Program
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ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
(AAP) is a Beyond Access
service offered by the Student
Disability Resource Center that
provides academic, social, life
skills and career planning support to students with autism
who attend the University of
West Florida. AAP partners
with Career Services, Counseling & Psychological Services,
Wellness Services, Housing
and Residence Life and various
other departments on campus
to provide programs and support.
Illinois
Eastern Illinois University’s
Students with Autism
Transitional Education
Program (STEP) focuses on
providing enhanced support in
three main skill sets areas: academics, social, and daily-living
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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