Despite proven potential to thrive at the college level, neurodivergent students often face challenges. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s answer is the innovative Bridges to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ program, offering academic coaching, career training and a first-in-the-nation sensory room to boost student success. This award-winning program is a national model for providing equity and access to higher education.
Dedicated to providing the highest levels of individualized academic, social, and vocational support services to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s neurodiverse students. This includes students who self-disclose that they are on the autism spectrum, or students who have other non-verbal or neurological-social disorders.
Bridges Overview
Bridges helps you prepare for academic and career success.
Transition to College Life
During our Summer Launch Program, you will receive tailored support services and an exclusive summer course, making the transition to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University easy.
Through a variety of services designed to help students maximize areas of strength and creativity, the Bridges to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Program endeavors to increase community awareness and understanding, as well as foster appreciation for each student’s unique views of the world.
The Bridges to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ program is unlike any other program, and it has made ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ a prominent destination for students from all over the world who self-disclose as being on the autism spectrum or who experience other nonverbal or neurological-social disorders. The program is dedicated to providing the highest levels of individualized academic, social and vocational support services so you will:
- Gain the tools to advocate for yourself
- Achieve academically
- Make new friends
- Prepare to embark on a career
Because ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ prides itself on being inclusive, the Bridges program also promotes awareness and understanding of neurosocial disorders throughout the campus community, through education, training and collaboration with University faculty, staff and students.
10 Years of Transformative Support and Inclusion
We plan to have an event at Spirit Weekend this September 27-29, 2024, where we welcome all of our students and their families throughout the years to come back ‘home’ and reminisce on their journey with us.
As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, the program will devote $13,000 raised during the toward renovating the Bridges sensory room and a mobile sensory station to enhance neuro-inclusivity at various events across ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University.
Sensory Room
In 2018, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University broke new ground by opening a sensory room, with a sensory wall, soft floors, a pouch swing, beanbag chairs and low lighting. This was the first room of its kind specifically opened for students with autism at a college campus. Launch GallerySensory Room
In 2018, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University broke new ground by opening a sensory room, with a sensory wall, soft floors, a pouch swing, beanbag chairs and low lighting. This was the first room of its kind specifically opened for students with autism at a college campus. 3 PhotosOur Students Created an ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Campus Tour in Minecraft
During the pandemic in Summer 2020, several students in the Bridges to ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ program began developing a digital replica of our Garden City campus—even our beloved bunnies—in Minecraft video game format.
Sophie Breslow ‘24, now an MSW candidate, credits the Learning Resource Program for her successful college experience and preparing her to support other neurodivergent students navigating their own college journeys.