Today’s post will be from Stephanie, Stephanie has two kids the oldest is Ryan, who has been on my Special Olympics Track Team for the past four years, Ryan has Autism but that does not stop him from going to college. He goes to the Wayfinders program at Fresno State. I talked to Stephanie about her family’s decision to send her son to college.
AZ :How did you find out about the program?
Stephanie: I heard about the program when I googled colleges for kids with disabilities. I did a lot of research on Fresno State Taft College and UCLA.
The process to apply for Fresno State took about six months. We visited had interviews and there was extensive application process. In the end Ryan liked Fresno State
AZ Why did you guys chose the Wayfinders program?
Stephanie: I didn't take him to UCLA because I thought LA is too big and too far. When I did research about Taft College it was also too far and it is a very small school. Fresno seemed perfect because it was a perfect mix of not really a big city but a nice college campus
Their program is very extensive. Not only does it include independent living skills and budgeting finance paying bills on your own it's also a work program.
Ryan starts his job in the library and bookstore this week.It's a great school for not only social interaction academics but also the independent living component and they have a lot of life coaches and other coaches to help them along the way
It's challenging because they really work you hard and they make sure that you stick to a budget and that's not always fun. But the whole goal is to get you to a place where you can live and work independently and have a social life. And really isn't that what everybody wants?
AZ How is Ryan doing?
Ryan and his brother Will |
Stephanie :It's taking some time adjusting to all of the new experiences having three roommates sharing living spaces sharing refrigerators going out to parties and events going to classes and all the while keeping track of your own money. Ryan is finally starting to enjoy it a lot more I think at first it was very very difficult because he's never had to do anything like this
AZ What would you want to say to other parents about sending their student with disabilities to college ?
Stephanie: I would say be prepared for a lot of ups and downs. First of all it has to be what your child wants not what you want. Like with Ryan him being 3 1/2 hours away it's very hard. He gets homesick he didn't know anyone when he got there and for some kids with disabilities it's very hard for them to use language skills and social skills and get out there and meet people.
You have to be prepared for a lot of phone calls and a lot of support.
And you also have to realize that it's OK to fail if it's not the right situation for your child or your child is it happy then it's OK to say come home
Thank you Stephanie for giving us some insight. I can not wait to hang out with Ryan over winter break. Have a question for Stephanie leave a comment below .
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