Allen Institute - Center for Alternative Learning

Hebron, CT

Type: Bachelor's and associate's degree in partnership with local colleges, as well as non-degree pre-college transition programs, for students with learning disabilities

Support Level: Specialized and intensive

Contact:

Peter Love, Program Director

Phone: 860.228.6962 ext. 325

E-mail: plove@alleninstitute.info

Website: www.alleninstitute.info

Students on record as having:

Specialized programs or services for AS/ASD: Yes

Relevant supports:

• Social skills instruction
• Life management skills training
• Consulting clinical psychologist practicing cognitive-behavioral therapy

In Their Own Words:

Survey completed by Peter Love 7/06:

Does your school have any specialized services - for instance, a facilitated support group, organizational support, communication and advocacy with professors, or support for students to have work experience - for students with Asperger Syndrome and related conditions, such as Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified?

"Yes. All of the above. We are a specialized school that supports young adults with a variety of challenges to learning to get their associate's and bachelor's degrees."

Does your school offer any kind of supports that might be of help to a student with Asperger Syndrome? If so, with which student population(s) in mind were they created (for example, students with learning disabilities)? Please describe those programs and services.

"We offer weekly social competence group sessions. We also work on social skills as an integral part of the educational experience. We have a clinical psychologist consultant who uses a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach."

Do you have any counselors or other personnel on staff with specialized training in supporting students with Asperger Syndrome or other Autism Spectrum Disorders? Please describe.

"The Director of the school has a PhD in special education. His primary concentration was on disorders of social intelligence and he provides regular training on ABA and other intervention techniques for people with Autism."

Do you have any counselors on staff with experience supporting social skills and facilitating social integration?

"Yes."

Are single residence hall rooms available on campus for students with Asperger Syndrome or other conditions that can lead to discomfort sharing personal space?

"Yes."

If you are a staff member who works with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders at this school, please contact AspFI if you have any corrections or additions to this information at collegeguide@aspfi.org.