Media Contact:Larry Powell
Director of Community Relations
Phone: 804-254-9662
E-mail: lpowell@umfs.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Charterhouse School and Commonwealth Autism Service Partner to Offer College Plan to Asperger Students
RICHMOND, Va. – March 4, 2011 – Charterhouse School, in partnership with Commonwealth Autism Service (CAS), announces the development of Courage to Succeed, a unique college program for students with Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism. The program, beginning August 15, 2011, will provide academic, social and independent life skills through classes at both Charterhouse School and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC).
The goal of the program is for students to successfully earn a college degree by providing individualized support based on students’ strength and needs. Before and after daily courses at JSRCC, students will receive behavioral instruction at Charterhouse School. Services will include individual and small group tutoring, self-advocacy counseling and the development of organizational strategies for each student.
“Students with Asperger’s and high-functioning autism oftentimes have an incredible intellectual aptitude, but they lack the social and organizational skills necessary to succeed in a higher education environment. Courage to Succeed will support these students so they can not only earn a degree, but also develop the independent living skills to grow as adults,” said Erik Laursen, Ph.D., vice president, learning and program development.
Charterhouse School recently expanded its offering of Asperger-related services to include an extended day program and Camp Courage, a summer camp designed to give students independent life skills. Anyone interested in learning more about these programs should contact Charterhouse School at 855-FOR-UMFS (855-367-8637) or c2s@chs4u.org . Technical assistance and clinical supervision for all Asperger’s programs are provided through a partnership with CAS.
Charterhouse School, an affiliate of UMFS, serves students ages 11-22 from the greater Richmond area with specialized education needs as well as students who receive services from the UMFS Treatment Center. The school is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited by the Virginia Association of Specialized Education Facilities.
