The program provides each UA-ACTS student with a mentor who meets 2-3 times per week with the student to provide services in academics, social skills, and daily living skills.
Additionally, students who choose to participate in counseling services will be paired with a therapist who they meet with either weekly or biweekly. In addition, students are expected to complete 40 hours of study hall and five social activities per semester.
Academic Support
- One-on-one discussions of academics, including organization and planning of study time, using classroom attendance efficiently, prioritizing of assignments, preparation for exams, etc.
- Regular communication with instructors, including monthly progress reports and individual meetings as needed regarding student strengths and weaknesses in the classroom.
- Guidance to help students become self-advocates to ensure academic success, including requesting appropriate accommodations from ODS and using campus services, such as the Center for Academic Success, writing center, and math lab.
Social Support
- One-on-one discussions focusing on the social aspects of college life, including interacting with instructors and classmates, roommates, dating, etc.
- Students are strongly encouraged to identify one or two social clubs through Get on Board Day or the online club listing, The Source.
Daily Living and Career Support
- “Check-ins” for daily living skills as needed, including meeting in the dorm room and checking for cleanliness, etc.
- Regular contact with residential life personnel, including RAs, dorm director, etc. to give information about ASD, provide support and education, and obtain information about needs in the dorm setting.
- Discussing options for majors and minors that will facilitate the student’s career goals. Helping the student access the Career Center on campus.
- Assisting students with the skills needed to find jobs after college (e.g., finding work-related experiences while in college, interview skills, accessing campus resources related to job-finding).
Emotional and Psychological Well-Being
- Provision of counseling services as needed to identify appropriate coping strategies to manage symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, provided or supervised by a licensed psychologist.
- Consultation with psychiatrists on campus is available for students and families who would prefer that psychiatric medications be managed locally.
Parent Communication
- Each student and his or her mentor will contact the parents jointly at least once per week to update them on the student’s progress. These contacts can be by email, phone, or Zoom.
- Parents are asked to attend at least one meeting per semester with the student, mentor, and program director.
A representative from the program is on call in case of an emergency. This number is available to only parents, students, and housing administrators.