A College Curriculum for A College Curriculum for Students on the SpectrumStudents on the Spectrum

Autism Summit 2008Autism Summit 2008

COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMBerkshire Brevard Bloomington Berkeley

1-877-Know CIPwww.CollegeInternshipProgram.com

Dr. Michael P. McManmon, Ed. D, Executive Director, College Internship Program

Our Vision and Mission Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision: To be the most comprehensive college & careers program in the world for students with Asperger’s Syndrome & Learning Differences

Our Mission: To graduate young men and women

of confidence, character, and integrity capable of making

contributions to society and claiming their place as

citizens of the world

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Our PrinciplesOur Principles

CIP Theme: “You were made for good purpose and you are inherently valuable”

Islands of Competency

Analogy: An Apple in an IBM World Apples are not disabled but must learn to

interface with IBM’s in order to survive the business world

Our Principles, Our Principles, continuedcontinued

Social and emotional growth precedes all other growth

Acceptance and understanding of self

We serve as a bridge in the understanding of ASD, NLD and LD

Develop and teach a curriculum which leads to success in college, careers and independent living

Provide strong role models and healthy environments

Every individual inherently deserves to be treated with respect

Comprehensive AssessmentComprehensive Assessmentand Supportsand Supports

Academic: Individual tutorials, study halls, study groups,

academic liaison

Career: Career counseling, module, internships, job

coaching

Social: Individual and group social thinking, social

mentoring

Independent Living: Cooking, maintenance, recreation

Person-Centered PlanPerson-Centered Plan

Step 1. The Dream Step 2. The Goal Step 3. Now Step 4. Who Do I Enroll? Step 5. Getting Stronger Step 6. “Action Plans”

Personal Academic Employment Social Health & Wellness Executive Functioning

Comprehensive ServicesComprehensive Services

Individual & Small Group Tutorials

College Liaison Assistance & Advocacy

Training Modules

Study Groups & Study Halls

Student Advising/ Budgeting

Career Internships & Counseling

Individual & Group Social Thinking and Mentoring

Individual Therapy

Medication Coordination

Independent Living Supports

Recreational Activities

Academic SupportsAcademic SupportsColleges & UniversitiesColleges & Universities

College Registration- assist with course selection including optimal number of courses (usually two to start)

Liaison with Local Colleges including Student Disability office and professors (students sign waiver)

Tutorials to assist with breaking down semester assignments into smaller segments. Obtain test & homework grades to track performance.

Study Halls & Groups- at least two per week

Accommodations- encourage students to better understand and utilize needed accommodations

Technological supports

Advising SupportsAdvising Supports

Weekly student appointments with Student Advisor

Assess progress toward personal goals (honors, mentors, average status) and set new goals

Discuss opportunities to self-advocate & problem solve (brainstorm who to speak to and how) & set appointments if needed

Review budgeting & banking (online)

At minimum, bi-monthly advisor communication with parents (increased when needed)

Career SupportsCareer Supports Career Module

Skill assessments, career exploration, discussions on workplace culture, etc.

Develop a resume’ Practice the employment interview process,

videotape, and provide feedback

Internships & Jobs For every student- hours per week will

depend on class load at college Career Module Internship support group Build on special interests

Social SupportsSocial SupportsA Four-Tier ProgramA Four-Tier Program

Social Mentoring- 1 indiv. appt. per week

Social Thinking Individual Appointments- 1 per week

Social Thinking Small Groups- 1 per week

Taking into the World (internships, community service, employment, college)

Clinical SupportsClinical Supports

Counseling Individual Therapy

Medication Coordination & Referral to Psychiatrists Weekly medi-set appointments

Optional Special Therapies Auditory Integration Therapy Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Neurofeedback Biofeedback Individual Occupational Therapy

Academic Supports:Academic Supports:Overview of Training ModulesOverview of Training Modules

CIP Modules: Reframing Class Theory of Mind Class/ Hidden Curriculum Executive Functioning Sensory Integration Human Relationship Development Career Skills Life Skills

Reframing ClassReframing Class

An executive functioning/ self- regulation, educational process

A pro-social curriculum with weekly and daily themes which reflect the aspects and assets of ASD, NLD and Learning Differences

Aids in self-understanding and provides a structured start for the day

Theory of Mind – Hidden Theory of Mind – Hidden CurriculumCurriculum

Students learn to take perspective on what others are thinking and feeling

Some topics discussed are: whole body listening social inferencing using memory to facilitate friendships

Skills range from starting and ending a conversation to giving and accepting feedback and compromising and negotiating.

Students practice with video to give the students real world social experience.

Practice with metaphors and idioms

Executive FunctioningExecutive Functioning

Focus on academic / business organization skills and work to merge these skills into all other areas of a successful life

Landmark College Notebook System

Apartment organization (executive functioning checklists, etc)

Sensory IntegrationSensory Integration

The class sets out to assess each individual’s senses by use of a sensory profile

Sensory Diets are constructed for each student

Tactile Vestibular Proprioceptive Auditory Visual and olfactory Calming and alerting strategies

Human Sexuality and Relationship Human Sexuality and Relationship DevelopmentDevelopment

Assists students in exploring attitudes and values regarding healthy relationship development as related to the Asperger’s, NLD and LD

Topics include sexuality education, establishing friendships, communication skills, dynamics of relationships

Materials are presented in a multi-sensory fashion and include lectures, discussion, review of assigned readings and interactive exercises

The course includes RDI (Relationship

Development Intervention)

Career ServicesCareer Services

Module includes: value clarification questionnaires, skill assessments, career exploration, discussions on dealing with workplace culture, etc.

Study the interview process and also videotape mock employment interviews and provide feedback.

Students participate in internships a few hours a week.

Those not in college will be involved in a more extensive internship, with possible paid positions thereafter.

Internship support group

Career Counseling

Independent Living Independent Living SupportsSupports

Share living a furnished apartment with their own bedroom Share rent, utilities and cooking (alternate nights to cook with

roomate

Independent Living Goals: Residential Maintenance Laundry Hygiene Independent and Group Leisure Skills Cooperative Cooking- menu plan, shop, cook and follow

food safety guidelines Travel

Staff circulate amongst student apartments to guide cooking & cleaning

Minimum of two social activities per weekend

Life Skills ModuleLife Skills Module

Develop and maintain healthy relationships with peers

Effectively maintain and organize their apartments and bedrooms

Sharing responsibilities

Practical food safety

Cooperative Cooking and dining