Transition Support Centre for Autistic Students
What is the Transition Support Centre (TSC)?
The Transition Support Centre (TSC) provides individualized services and supports for Autistic students through a supportive environment as they navigate through a mentored college experience at Algonquin College. The centre uses a positive, student-centred approach in its service delivery.
The TSC is located in Room E345 (3rd Foor, E Building) and can be reached at AC-TSC@algonquincollege.com.
This innovative centre is structured to ensure individualized academic and skill building support to reach their academic goals and skills necessary to enter a competitive workplace.
Who can register with and access the Transition Support Centre?
The Transition Support Centre (TSC) provides outreach and support to domestic and international Autistic students. Students participating in the TSC meet acceptance criteria for Algonquin College like any other Centre for Accessible (CAL) student.
What types of supports does the Transition Support Centre offer?
Through accessing supports at the TSC, students’ personal goals are identified and strategies are developed based on the individual needs of each student. The program supports students to learn skills that will help them earn a college degree, work in their chosen field, and live a productive, independent and quality life. Key supports revolve around academic needs, social skills development, and independent living skills development.
Academic Supports Include:
- One-on-one meetings in which students and staff work together to determine and request reasonable academic accommodations through the creation of Letters of Accommodation (LOA)
- Tailored teaching and modeling of self-advocacy skills for effective communication with faculty, staff, and peers.
- Customized learning strategies designed and implemented to teach students effective executive functioning skills in addition to traditional learning skills such as time management, note taking, studying, and test taking.
Social Skills Supports Include:
- Individualized assistance from program staff for student involvement in campus organizations, clubs and extra-curricular activities.
- Skill-building sessions that teach appropriate social skills fit for college lifestyle.
- Small group and individual mentoring sessions.
- Supported access to campus activities and organizations that provide students with opportunities to develop social skills and make key social connections with the college community.
Independent Living Skills Supports Include:
- Teaching effective communication skills designed to meet the needs of individuals transitioning into adulthood.
- Aiding students as they navigate through the day-to-day demands of a college lifestyle.