The College Autism Transition Support (CATS) program offers life skills coaching and other transition support to matriculated students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Program Highlights
Academic and Social Support
Students involved in CATS receive weekly life skills coaching. Hours of coaching received depends on the needs of each student. Peer Life Skills Coaches are current upper-division students or recent graduates of Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ. Coaches have gone through training and receive continued training workshops throughout the semester. Life skills coaches will work with students to:
- Develop strategies for self-advocacy, organization, time management, planning and prioritizing, studying, goal-setting, problem-solving, self-monitoring, decision-making, negotiation, stress management, and self-awareness
- Address specific needs, challenges and behaviors in the classroom or art studio environments
- Identify tools and strategies to address obstacles in art studio facilities
- Guide the students in the program in learning to be college students and ultimately, young adults prepared to embark on careers in their chosen profession
- Identify and address social needs and navigate challenging situations
- Provide strategies for becoming active members of the campus community (club involvement, inter-murals, service learning placements, etc.)
Vocational Support
- Individualized interview preparation and training for effective business communication skills
- Assistance with (and encouragement of) internship opportunities and other work experiences
- Workshops to prepare for transition to work: etiquette, networking, attire, etc.
- Resume, cover letter, and job search assistance
Counseling Support
Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ offers free mental health counseling to all students on campus through the CHIP Center. Students are able to work with a counselor free of charge. All sessions are confidential.
The program fee is $2000/semester. Students may set up a payment plan with Student Accounts. Participation may be covered by some Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.
The program was established in 2015 to support students in the Visual and Performing Arts majors through a grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation. Currently, this program is open to students in any major.
For information please contact the Director of Accessibility Services, Debbie Dimitrovski at ddimitro@daemen.edu716.839.8583.