Does anyone have experience with the Beyond Access Program? S#2 has high function autism. He is very bright and will self advocate for anything academic but he really struggles socially. Our concern is he will go to his classes, do his work, and stay in his dorm room. The program sounds like it does address social skills and school involvement but I am concerned the program leaves it up to the student to set their own goals and without being pushed he would keep to himself.
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I do not have any experience personally, but at orientation I did meet a mom that was there for another child and she told me that she had an older son in the program and that they do a good job of getting the students involved that are in the program and that she saw a difference in her sons social skills.
so happy to read this thread. My son too. struggles making close friends. Very happy person, just doesnt fit in the ‘crowd’. I’m glad to hear there may be others at UCONN who are more like him. I too worry about him closing himself in his room…
Me, too. Son is high school senior this year. We are awaiting Uconn regular decisions. If he goes, we have to do beyond access. We visited campus a couple of times but did not talk to anybody in either the disability office or beyond access program.Really hope others who have kids there right now see this thread and chime in.
Thanks for all the responses. My son is a Junior and we are just starting the process of looking for colleges. We are hoping to visit UCONN in March and get some more information to determine if Beyond Access is a good fit for him. University of Alabama and Western Kentucky both have very strong program for students with Autism that cost extra and an interview and application is required to be in the program after acceptance to the schools. UCONN is a much better school than both of those so we will have to see if the trade off is worth it.
We visited UCONN this weekend and after our tour we had an hour meeting with the Associate Director of Beyond Access. We were very impressed with the level of support available and the flexibility of the program. Each student can make their own goals and decide what kind of support they need semester to semester. Our son felt like he would have control over his accommodations and support services which would help him succeed academically, socially, and allow him to be independent. If he gets in next year it would be on the top of the list as of now! Wish it wasn’t so far from home though.
My son just finished his freshman year as an Honors student/Beyond Access participant. I cannot speak more highly of the program. The director is wonderful, the grad student my son had was so supportive, to the point that my son is THRIVING there. I know results may vary, but my son is a different kid. He speaks more clearly, he came home from December break telling me about the social things he was doing, calling home telling me about the project that was due in a month that he was working on a little at a time. I just got his 2nd semester report from the program and next year he will drop from 3 days a week (I think he only did 2 anyway) to 1. They will be working with him on getting a job. Was it a magic wand and he is suddenly 100% organized, uncluttered in his room, doesn’t still struggle to connect at times? No, but he is at the point where we don’t worry about him all the time.
Happy to talk to anyone who wants to talk to a human who has been where you’ve been. Feel free to message me.
oh and @Sox666 We’re in San Francisco. I don’t think you can make it any farther from home for us. Not only is the BA program supportive, but the parent community on FB is amazing. I’m so spoiled. We haven’t needed to take them up on anything, but they have offered to host him at Thanksgiving (he went home with his roommate), take things to him (one picked up Tupperware bins he forgot to give the movers for summer storage and is bringing them back to him next year). I’m a Husky Mom through and through. And, as my screen name suggests, it’s hard for me to let him struggle, but we sent him there partially because he’d have to sink or swim. If you truly want him to be independent, being where you can’t just bail him out but are a phone call away is important. Do you have any friends or family in the area. I went to school in NE, and my college roommate lives close by, but has not helped him one lick because she hasn’t had to. Still, it’s somewhat comforting.
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@overbearingmom I am so grateful to you for taking the time to post about your son’s experience with Beyond Access and UCONN. I have been very stressed out about it! I will definitely send you a message later today to ask more specific questions. I have a good friend in Great Barrington, MA who could get to him if necessary. I grew up in NY so I have lots of family in Metro NY area including my mom (although she is 83) so if a true emergency came up I would be covered. I could probably get a flight from Chicago to Hartford or Boston pretty easily as well. If you did it from SF I feel encouraged! UCONN is definitely the top choice but we are concerned he might not get in - I wish they had early decision!