From Tina -
I hope you enjoyed Daniela's posts on the first two visits to post-secondary programs. I want to add my take to Daniela's on our visits to the programs she has written about so far. Both the Clemson and Horizons School have fabulous, very well thought out programs. We were treated so well at both interviews.
At Clemson LIFE, whose focus is on students with intellectual disabilities, we were part of a group of families who were given a very thorough overview of the program. We met many of the teachers, mentors, and students. This program, in a very short time, has garnered so much support in the Clemson community and has thought of every contingency. We were incredibly impressed by their goals for their students and their plans to help them meet those goals. The students had a great deal of self assurance which Daniela and I both admired. She was very nervous about the interview, especially since it was the first one. I waited down the hall from her while she spoke with the program director Dr. Sharon Sanders. She put Daniela at ease, because I could soon hear laughter coming from the room.
Clemson is a 2 year program that starts with giving the students lots of support and having them live in on campus housing. They gradually lessen the support and the students handle more and more decisions and responsibilities. They work on campus the first year. By the second year, the goal is for them to live in off campus housing and have an off campus job. They take classes together and with other students on campus. If they are ready, they also take some regular classes at a nearby community college. The student's interests and strengths are strongly considered for classes and jobs.
Daniela was very proud that she has been placed at the top of their waiting list. (They accepted mostly young men for next year to even up the gender numbers in the program). They accept about 4-6 students a year, so for Daniela to even get a place on the waiting list was a real achievement for her.
At the Horizons School, we visited and interviewed by ourselves. The program is one of the older post-secondary programs for students with disabilities. It's focus is on students with learning disabilities (including Asperger's Syndrome), so it was a stretch for Daniela to interview there. We met the director, Dr. Carter, at a conference in No. Va. and she encouraged Daniela to fill out an application and come for a visit.
We met her again on the day of our visit to the program (and her dedicated staff) and had a very full day of visiting the students and school. It, too, is a very well thought out program. They meet the varying needs of their students who were all quite wonderful. Some of these students had regular high school diplomas (and even some college!).
This is also a two year program (with an optional third transitional year) and is independent of any college or university. Though they use some different methods from Clemson in helping their students to achieve their goals of living and working independently, they are very effective and most of
their students go on to independent lives and careers.
We were thrilled that, after a very rigorous application and interview process, Daniela was accepted to the Horizons program. It was really difficult to make the decision to decline their offer at this time, but we all felt, most importantly Daniela, that she really needs a year of living on campus before being able to live in off-campus housing (even with the extra support they give in the housing). Horizons is in the process of preparing to build their own housing and if that component was in place, Daniela would have probably accepted the offer to attend. Daniela grew up in a rural area, like her big sister and myself. Marcy and I both had culture shock when we moved to downtown Richmond Va. for college. Living in a big city apartment would have been even more challenging for Daniela. (I think that is why most college students are required to live on campus their first year.) I do want to make this point - the current Horizons students handle the off campus housing very well and do get lots of support in their apartments.
Daniela will write about her last interview soon and I will also add comments to that. For all families who are entering this same process and who have more questions, please feel free to email me. It is a daunting but exciting process! I wish you all good luck and give my thanks to the incredible dedicated staffs - from Clemson LIFE, Horizons, and Coastal Carolina LIFE for treating us so well and giving us so much of your time. For all the programs out there, thanks you so much for giving these fine young adults the chance to prove they can achieve their dreams!
All the best,
Tina
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