While Non-Verbal Learning Disability is a Learning Disability and it’s not part of the Autistic spectrum, there are a few similarities between the two disabilities. The two most common similarities are social skills and coping with change difficulties. As a result, some students qualify to apply to comprehensive support programs for students on the Autistic Spectrum too. Given that some students with an NVLD need Social Communication Support too, which is included in Autistic Spectrum support programs. Just like some autistic students qualify for admission to learning disability support programs due to academic difficulties. So in this piece, I will discuss a few of the great programs.
The First program is The Bridges to Adelphi University Program, which accepts students with Autism and similar disabilities with at least average ability. In this program, you meet with your learning disabilities specialist twice a week to work on your organizational, time management, study skills, and problem-solving skills. All the lessons to improve these skills are based on your current assignments. In addition, twice a week you will attend social skills development labs with other Bridge students, with the goal being that the students will become socially engaged on campus with little or no support by their sophomore year.
Also, the Bridges team connects with other organizations on campus, and through this, the students join various organizations for on- and off-campus activities throughout their freshman year such as a Halloween Party and day trips to New York City. There will be mentors who are Special Education or Speech and Language Pathology seniors and first-year graduate students who will provide group support for Bridge students at each of the events. Given their educational backgrounds and professional training in supporting students with social disabilities, they provide excellent outside-of-the-classroom support. So if you face social difficulties in high school, this program could be a great choice as it provides equal amounts of academic and social support.
The next is Rochester Institute of Technology Spectrum Support Program. Services include twice-a-week sessions with an academic coach, group social-emotional counseling sessions twice a week, and a special career services program called Career Ready Bootcamp. For the career services, they have developed a partnership with the Syracuse University Inclusion Center, which has provided the opportunity to develop co-op and professional internships for students with Autism and similar disabilities like NVLD. So, for bright, academically and career-driven students with these disabilities, this can be a great option, as internships and job placement development is a big focus of the programs, and the team makes sure it’s in an area that you truly want to work in. This certainly helps those with primary social communication deficits, as you will go through a less stressful interview process and will receive tremendous support throughout the process and your whole college career.
The next is St. Joseph’s University’s Kinney Center for Center for Autism Education and Support, which includes ASPIRE and SCHOLAR’S Program. ASPIRE provides academic, emotional, and social support to all of the students, and many have residential support too. Whereas the SCHOLARS Program provides personal assistant services to help navigate all parts of college life, including academic organizational skills, cleaning your room, and social outings. Your assistant will be an upperclassman Special Education major, so they have the experience to help you manage college life. For some students, this can be especially helpful.
What makes St. Joseph University’s program different is that in 2022 they added a dorm for neurodivergent students. Since they can only house 18 students, not everyone in the program can live here, so preference is given to those who have moderate to severe functioning skills deficits and need more practice with independent living. Since the residential directors and assistants give daily assistance within the dorm, the ultimate goal is that you will be ready for a regular dorm your sophomore year. In addition, showing a strong interest in wanting to live in a supportive dorm helps your case too.
To wrap up Part A, as you can see, each program caters to different types of students. So it’s so important to do your research effectively, as not every option will be appropriate for you, unfortunately. For example, Rochester Institute of Technology would have made no sense for me to look at for many reasons, with the biggest being that I didn’t have the needed academic background for admissions. Also, it will help you figure out whether an Autism Spectrum or learning disability support program would be the better choice for you. That said, in Part B, I will continue sharing more of the Autism support programs that could be possibilities for you.
Eileen
Eileen is a Project Social Ambassador and blogger for The NVLD Project. She loves helping others understand they can achieve their goals and dreams through hard work and dedication.
