A College
“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.” -Lusindiso Mpulu
A College Experience
The Gottschall Access Program offers adults on the autism spectrum a unique opportunity to enhance their life, vocational and social skills which will enable them to participate in internships, and then eventually the pursuit of gainful employment.
This takes place on the Fall River, MA college campus of Bristol Community College. Here, students enroll in a 3-year program of specially designed courses and have full student access on the college campus.
Measuring Success
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” - Robert Collier
The Gottschall Access Program (GAP)
GAP uses a variety of different tools to evaluate the students’ progress, satisfaction with their courses and overall program. This includes:
Individual Action Planning, Personal Action Planning and Goal Setting
The drawing up of individual action plans will be carried out during the initial assessment session and then reviewed at regular intervals to gauge whether goals have been met. An action plan can include personal objectives, priorities, and reflections on progress.
Learning Outcomes
Each course offered through the Gottschall Access Program will have designated Learning Outcomes. Students will be assessed on assignments, which may be tailored for varying learning styles; projects; as well as class participation and team collaboration.
Recorded Observations of Group or Individual Activities
There will be in place comprehensive documentation systems that will allow for the recording of additional anecdotal evidence of outcomes achieved and progress made.
Portfolio Compilation
Each student will compile a portfolio to be completed their final year of the program. The portfolio will include the necessary components to begin the next steps of their self-identified goal. This can include: resume, references, sample work or school application and a video interview to present to potential employers or schools. Students will have access to both a digital and paper copy of the portfolio beyond completion of the program.
Assessment of Soft Skills
...for purposes of this program, Soft Skills are defined as intra- and inter-personal (socio-emotional) skills, essential for personal development, social participation, and workplace success. These skills will include: Communication and Listening; Confidence and Self-Promotion; Creativity and Problem-Solving; Leadership and Collaboration; Multi-Tasking and Goal-Setting; Strategic and Critical Thinking; Patience and Respect; Technological Proficiency; Time Management; Work-Ethic. A specific rubric has been designed to assess each of these areas.
Application Process
“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” - Albert Einstein
Characteristics of Potential Students:
Students must
- Have a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum
- Be able to arrange own transportation
- Be free from disruptive behavior and not pose a substantial health and /or safety risk to themselves or others.
- Have the ability to control behavior, manage emotions and recognize safety risks
- May have attended college classes, but did not succeed in the traditional setting
Exhibit a drive to
- Be self-motivated and a hard worker
- Obtain a college experience
- Learn about their own learning style, strengths and weaknesses
- Express their needs and advocate for themselves
- Learn strategies to help solve problems
- Demonstrate vocational motivation, have realistic vocational goals and the potential to work independently
- Interact with peers, instructors and supervisors in a positive and constructive manner in the classroom, work, internship and social settings
- Demonstrate effective time management, organizational skills and the ability to focus on the task-at-hand for 30+ minutes
- Demonstrate the ability to use good judgment, maintain professional behavior, and perform in a community college and employment environment
The Process
- Referrals for students will be made by DDS Area Office Service Coordinators and Autism Service Coordinators
- Referrals may also be made privately or through Transition Coordinators
- Prospective students will complete an application for admission
- Applicants deemed eligible for the program will participate in either a program visit or a staff interview
Tuition
- Tuition will be funded through student's DDS allocation.
- Private pay options available- Please inquire with Kate Dansereau. katedansereau@community-autism-resources.com
Day One Orientation
- Campus Tour - where classes will be held, the library, cafeteria, campus police and other pertinent space that the students should be familiar with
- Scope of the Program- introduction to the first year courses and general overview for the full 3 years. Class schedules will be reviewed.
- Introduction to Educational Support Tools - organizers, iPads, or other provided materials
- Review of Policies and Procedures for student safety and expectations of participation in the program
Application Forms
Step 1. Is This the Right Program for You?
Review the information on the website containing the Gottschall Access Program details to see if this is the right program for you. If you have any questions you can email us at katedansereau@community-autism-resources.com or call Kate Dansereau at 508-379-0371 ext. 15.
This program is available to adults with ASD in the Southeast Regional area. Please contact your DDS Service Coordinator for assistance.
- Southeast Region
151 Campanelli Drive, Suite B
Middleboro, MA 02346 - Aaron Hubley, DDS Autism Program Coordinator
aaron.hubley@state.ma.us
508-866-5000
Step 2. Complete the GAP Application Process
2022-2023 Application Packets AVAILABLE NOW
Deadline for submission: August 12, 2022
Download the Application Forms Here
How to Apply
- Application Checklist
- Application-revised
- Authorization Form
- Liability Form
- Medical Form
- Reference Form revised
- Emergency Fact Sheet Template
- Photo Release
- Complete the Admissions Application – be sure to include your ISP
Step 3. Send All Materials to:
Gottschall Access Program
Community Autism Resources
40 Dean St. Unit A Taunton, MA 02780
You may also e-mail them to: katedansereau@community-autism-resources.com
We are unable to accept faxed applications.
About Our Partner
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller
Bristol Community College (BCC)
“Community — at our center of everything
Since its chartering in 1965, Bristol Community College is where people turn to earn a degree, access work-related training, learn new leisure activities, and bring their kids for enrichment and entertainment. BCC offers many ways for learners to enrich their lives and their communities.
Bristol Community College is a comprehensive community college offering more than 150 career and transfer programs of study that lead to an associate degree in science, arts, applied sciences, and certificates of accomplishment or achievement. Students are able to transfer to many baccalaureate colleges throughout the state and country. “
BCC Resources Available to Students of GAP
In furtherance of their mission of creating a better-educated community, BCC has made a commitment to provide the following resources to students enrolled in GAP:
- Computer lab access, and the ability to access modified software to accommodate the learning nuances of students with ASD
- Access to campus theatre and farming facilities
- Integration on the campus – including but not limited to: the dining facility, library, gym, sporting events, college clubs and all student services
- Graduation experience – a graduation ceremony on campus where students will receive their certificate for completion of the program