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Neurodiversity College Program

Neurodiversity College Program (Degree Program)

As a part of CHC’s Neurodiversity College Program, degree-seeking students are provided an affirming and collaborative experience that is individualized to address their needs and interests. The program goal is to support a student’s journey to reach the pinnacle of their college experience, emerging prepared to be an independent, innovative thinker, contributing to and engaging with a global society using their unique skills. 

Students begin the regular college school year in the fall, either as a resident or a commuter, participating in campus life and the Neurodiversity Program for all four years of their undergraduate experience.  

As part of the College Program, students will work closely with Chestnut Hill College’s Office of Career Development. This starts with a four-year targeted plan to build a career map, which is conducted in the student’s first year. From there, students will benefit from continued mentorship as well as community and employment connection opportunities affiliated with organizations such as:

  • Neurodiversity in the Workplace
  • Neurodiversity Employment Network
  • Integrate Autism Employment Advisors
  • DisabilityIN – Next Gen Employment Planning
  • Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) with the federal government

Following their College Program experience, neurodivergent students will have achieved success and built a toolbox of strategies across the AISE (Academic, Independent, Social, and Emotional) domains. We can expect College Program graduates to:

  • Achieve a degree and remain in good academic standing for the duration of their stay at CHC
  • Achieve placement in a career of the student’s choice based on their strengths within 6-12 months of graduation (this includes employment as well as further educational opportunities)
  • Be prepared to live independently within the community
  • Establish effective relationships with community members
  • Utilize self-regulation and self-advocacy skills
  • Engage and participate within the community with autonomy

AISE Model

A – Through the Academics model, students will experience:

  • Individualized course planning 
  • Regular meetings with an advisor 
  • Access to peer tutoring 
  • Academic skills development and academic coaching 
  • Testing accommodations 
  • Working with faculty members on classroom needs 
  • Priority scheduling

I – Through the Independent Living model, students will experience:

  • Self-Advocacy
  • Self-Awareness
  • Executive Function
  • Goal Setting 
  • Daily Living Skills
  • Employment / Internship Advising
  • Experiential Learning Coaching

S – Through the Social Support model, students will experience:

  • Peer mentors
  • Social opportunities on and off campus 
  • Group gatherings with peers
  • Social context check ins with staff 
  • Supported participation in extracurricular activities

E – Through the Emotional Support model, students will experience:

  • Access to Counseling Center 
  • Peer guidance groups with peer mentors 
  • Access to individuals on campus who are trained in neurodivergent needs 
  • Family systems support for students and their families
  • Support for Self-Regulation Practices

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