The AIM application is separate and distinct to being accepted to Mercyhurst University.
Deadline to apply is March 1.
The mission of the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) is to facilitate and support the successful adjustment and progression of college students on the autism spectrum in all domains of college life, thereby broadening their vocational opportunities, and enhancing social and community engagement. The AIM program strives to accentuate each students’ abilities within the academic, social, emotional, and independent-living domains, while building new skills within the domains where the student may be deficient.
The Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) was established to support the vast influx of students on the autism spectrum that are applying to Mercyhurst and other universities worldwide in record numbers. The AIM program is housed in the division of Student Life and was originally housed in the Learning Differences Office. Since 1984, The Learning Differences Program at Mercyhurst University has educated and assisted thousands of students with disabilities to succeed in college; earn a degree and go on to make a difference in the world. In 2008, Mercyhurst introduced the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) to meet the unique needs of the growing population of college students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The AIM Program focuses on building a foundation of self-advocacy, social skills, and sound academic progress. Mercyhurst has become a leader and a resource for many other institutions across the country. Very few colleges and universities across the United States offer a program of collegiate support like AIM for this cohort of students. Too few are equipped to educate college and post-secondary students diagnosed with ASD. For both of these reasons, Mercyhurst and the AIM program have become one of the primary resources in the country for autism support services in the higher education setting. The broad expansion of AIM’s notoriety and large influx in applications to our program have surpassed even our strongest aspriations from when we started back in 2008 with just four students. As of the Fall of 2017, the program served 60 students. Since the inception of the program we have added numerous components to AIM to enhance the experience and success of the AIM students on campus and after graduation.
The AIM application is separate and distinct to being accepted to Mercyhurst University.
In order to be considered into the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst, any applicant must be admitted into Mercyhurst University prior to the AIM program. AIM staff will not review application information until the applicant is accepted to the university. Also, if an applicant is accepted by the university it does not guarantee that the applicant will be accepted into the AIM Program.
The following is the application process and forms for the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst.
A nationally acclaimed summer experience to help potential students determine whether they are ready for the demands of college life. Students live in a Mercyhurst residence hall, eat in the college cafeteria, enroll in a three-credit college course and interact with fellow students in a variety of social activities and settings. The students also participate in the College 101 Series and the Mini Lecture Series that assist in orienting them to college offices and expose the participants to different faculty and lecture styles. The program runs from July 7-July 28!
NBC TODAY.com Article
http://www.today.com/health/more-colleges-helping-students-autism-t20661
Brad McGarry
Congressional Testimony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg2zWMCrNxY
Chronical of Higher Education
http://chronicle.texterity.com/chronicle/convergence2012?pg=43#pg43
TEDxErie Presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-5EZ_1OhWk
National Catholic Reporter
Forbes Magazine
Mercyhurst University
http://www.mercyhurst.edu/news/mercyhursts-brad-mcgarry-takes-aim-road
AIM Hosts Autism Experts
http://www.mercyhurst.edu/news/aim-hosts-nations-leading-experts-autism
AIM Conquer the Canyon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14Wcl38TXU8
Raise the Roof for Autism
https://www.facebook.com/RaisetheRoof.Autism/?fref=ts
Emerging Practices for Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum in Higher Education: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals, December 2014. Rochester Institute of Technology, Spectrum Support Program. https://www.rit.edu/~w-ssp/documents/ASDinHigherEdGuide.pdf
Testimony before the 112th United States Congress: House of Representative Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, November 2012
https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/McGarry-Testimony-Bio-TnT.pdf
Contingency Contracting to Increase Class Attendance for a College Student with Asperger’s Syndrome
Kristen Robson, Jonathan Ivy Ph.D, BCBA-D, Sara Kitchen MS, BCBA & Bradley McGarry, MA
Conquer the Canyon with AIM – Successfully developed, implemented and concluded multiple Conquer the Canyon with AIM trips to Arizona and the Grand Canyon on May 2013 and May 2015.
http://www.conquerthecanyon.com/aim-itinerary
Raise the Roof for Autism – Developed and implemented two separate initiatives that took place in Tanzania Africa in Feb 2015 and January 2017.
http://www.raisetheroofforautism.com/
Bradley McGarry
Director of Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst
Location: Egan 304
Phone: 814-824-2451
Paulina Wielandt
Assistant Director
Location: Egan 308
Phone: 814-824-2622
Adam Glass
Career Path Coordinator
Location: Egan 305
Phone: 814-824-2372
Marcia Anderson
AIM Support Coordinator
Location: Egan 309
Phone: 814-824-2609
Amy Parini
AIM Support Coordinator
Location: Egan 307
Phone: 814-824-2638
Tessie Staaf
AIM Office Manager
Location: Egan 301
Phone: 814-824-3819