<p>My son struggles with homework completion and has horrible grades. We constantly battle over getting the homework completed. He may not even graduate if he doesn't get his act together. He also has anxiety issues. He would like to go to college but is obviously not ready. His ACT score is 33 and his SAT is 1950. His GPA is 2.2. We are looking for a Gap Year program that may help him with living, organizational and general study skills in a college environment. We live in the Mid Atlantic area and would like to keep the program in the East. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Google “Aspergers + College”. There are several college preparedness programs offered by different institutions, plus you can identify what colleges and universities offer student-support programs to Asperger-diagnosed students. There’s a wide range in accommodation programs, from “nothing meaningful” to “hands-on mentoring-monitoring” for an extra fee. As several parents here can attest, college is a difficult experience for many ASP students. Best wishes.</p>
<p>Google “Aspergers + College”. There are several college preparedness programs offered by different institutions, plus you can identify what colleges and universities offer student-support programs to Asperger-diagnosed students. There’s a wide range in accommodation programs, from “nothing meaningful” to “hands-on mentoring-monitoring” for an extra fee. As several parents here can attest, college is a difficult experience for many ASP students. Best wishes.</p>
<p>FWIW – expatSon worked at a summer camp between junior and senior year. The growth in maturity and general capability was palpable.</p>
<p>That aside, some boarding schools offer PG years, if that’s an option. Our son has benefited tremendously from his junior & senior years at a boarding school. We’re cautiously optimistic that he won’t be needing a gap year (he has 5 college acceptances at this point), tho’ we’d support that route if he was so inclined.</p>
<p>Take a look at Landmark. There are a number of colleges that actually provide for students to make an easier transition to college – e.g. taking fewer classes, having more supports. And many students with Asperger’s (and other diagnoses) opt for a gap year to work, travel, or simply decompress from the 12 years of school.</p>
<p>Also when he is ready, check out Rochester Institute of Technologies’ Spectrum Support Program.
<a href=“http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/ssp/info.php”>http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/ssp/info.php</a></p>
<p>What does he want to do? My son who is in college has autism spectrum disorder. IF he had 100% choice, he might have picked stay home and play video games. Instead, he now shares a bedroom at home and his choices were get a job or go to college. He decided to go to college, where he has a work study, meaning, he works too. He is actually doing ok! I worked very hard to pick one that would be perfect for him and where I felt he could have success.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the input. To answer some questions, he is a senior and did not apply to any colleges. He would like to go into computer engineering. He has the ability, just not the motivation. A summer program would be great, but I would like to find something in the computer science/ engineering realm with tons of support. Community college and a job is our fallback. </p>
<p>Definitely check out Rochester Institute of Technologies</p>