A College Program for Students with Other Special Needs
Often, students with special needs – whether developmental delays or conditions
affecting cognitive or physical function – struggle to experience success. CLE
provides guidance and instruction to students who require additional assistance
to attend and graduate from college. Young adults with special needs have the
opportunity to transition to college and achieve academic success while
acquiring social skills in a supportive setting that fosters independence.
CLE provides educational, social and independent living skills support to
students with the following special needs:
- Cerebral palsy
- Social and maturational
issues
- Developmental delays
- Nonverbal learning disorders
(NVLD or NLD)
- Auditory and visual
processing disorders
- Central processing disorders
- Epilepsy
- Hearing impairment
- Visual impairment
Academic Support
With enhanced academic support, CLE students begin to gain the confidence
needed to face the academic demands placed on a college student. As a college
program for students with special needs, CLE provides mentors and tutors who
teach students to manage their time and enhance their study skills techniques
through adaptive technologies tailored to each individual’s needs. Students
learn to identify and prioritize important assignments, and then structure
study time to meet their goals. Staff members provide color-coded daily
schedules, content-specific tutoring and resources for communicating with
instructors and administrators. Mentors provide individualized feedback that
helps students make a successful transition to college while acquiring new
skills that help establish a foundation for independent adulthood.
Independent Living Skills
Many students with special needs are living on their own for the first
time, experiencing new challenges every day. From keeping up with laundry to
cooking and cleaning an apartment, students in CLE have numerous opportunities
to acquire valuable independent living skills during their college years – and
the support to take advantage of those opportunities. For example, CLE staff
members help students by posting reminder signs to perform common tasks, such
as taking out the trash or turning off the lights when leaving the apartment.
Visual aids posted in the silverware drawer and on kitchen cabinets help students
empty their dishwasher and keep their apartments clean. The sense of
accomplishment that results from completing these tasks and others like them is
crucial for students to gain more independence and confidence.
Social Skills Support
Social opportunities are regularly integrated into the CLE program.
Students have the opportunity to participate in fun group outings and shopping
trips, merging learning experiences, chores and social interaction. CLE mentors
often lead structured visits to museums or movies with plenty of time for
socializing. Regular group discussions hosted by CLE staff members help
students deal with social situations by providing individualized feedback and
encouraging functional and age-appropriate responses. CLE’s social skills
support helps students acquire experience and confidence in problem-solving,
conflict resolution and interpersonal communication.