Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst

The AIM application is separate and distinct to being accepted to Mercyhurst University.

Deadline to apply is March 1.

Mission

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.

History

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.

Request Info

For more information please fill out the online form.

Request a Speaker

To request a speaker, please fill out the online form.

AIM Enhanced Services

Weekly AISE domain Assessment Meetings
Peer Mentoring Programming
- Students are paired with Peer Mentors based on requested needs identified by the student and AIM team. Each mentor/mentee team is required to invest 4 hour per month of collaborative interaction.” Students also have a reciprocal opportunity to perform in a mentor role for others with more severe disabilities.
Priority for specialized housing arrangement
- Students in the AIM program receive priority for specialized housing arrangements with a trained housing coordinator. This housing is optional and is a proactive opportunity for students to participate in a living learning community with individuals of like social aptitude and experience. Students participate in social activities and have the opportunity to live with a roommate in a two bedroom apartment where they have the space to self-regulate and also have to demonstrate skills by co-existing in shared living conditions.
Standardized social opportunities
- AIM staff chaperoned on and off campus experiences that connect our students socially and give real world opportunities to practice skill development.
Individualized social skills training
- Every student that participates in the AIM Program is registered for one of two courses where Individualized Social Skills Modules are identified and assigned based on individual need and skill development.
Independence skill development
Assessment to assist in understanding the type of learner and the type of autistic thinking a student naturally ascribes to.
Access to optional meal gatherings to encourage socialization in the dining hall.
Development of student-centered individualized behavior plans
Access to staff certified in PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) for Young Adults
Access to staff certified in administering and scoring Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) personality inventory and Strong Interest Inventory (SII)
Academic support through Autism Support Networking (ASN) above and beyond the standard academic supports at the university
- AIM staff monitor academic performance on a weekly basis and have contact with faculty about participation and performance. A full time AIM Academic Support Coordinator assists students in the program and facilitates study groups, study halls and other academic supports for our students.
Access to the AIM Career Path Program:
- Vocational resources that include:
  - Vocational skill development
  - Job Shadowing
  - Assistance in obtaining internships and vocational opportunities
  - Access to computer and other resources such as Interview Stream and Dragon Speak
  - Access to community and national resources that specialize in employment services for individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Access to partake in a variety of experiential adventures that serve to broaden awareness of both the outer world and their inner self while raising awareness for autism related causes. Two highlighted opportunities are; Conquer the Canyon with AIM and Raise the Roof for Autism.

How To Apply to the AIM Program

(Notice: fall 2018 deadline has passed)

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.

Applicant applies to Mercyhurst University at apply.mercyhurst.edu
Applicant receives acceptance from Mercyhurst
Accepted student applies to the Autism Initiative
Application materials will be reviewed by committee and applicants that best fit the program will be contacted for an On-campus Interview
Applicants will be selected based on best fit for the AIM program

CREATE Summer Program

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!

How to Apply to the CREATE Summer Program

Prospective applicant applies to the CREATE Program
Application materials will be reviewed by committee and applicants that best fit the program will be contacted for an On-campus Interview
Applicants will be selected based on best fit for the CREATE program

In the News

NBC TODAY.com Article

http://www.today.com/health/more-colleges-helping-students-autism-t20661

Brad McGarry

Congressional Testimony

https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/1-in-88-children-a-look-into-the-federal-response-to-rising-rates-of-autism/

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

https://www.ncronline.org/preview/autism-initiative-mercyhurst-university-helps-students-socialize-secure-relevant-jobs

Forbes Magazine

http://www.forbes.com/sites/paigecarlotti/2014/07/31/more-colleges-expanding-programs-for-students-on-autism-spectrum/#7ab4929f3661

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

www.raisetheroofforautism.com

https://www.facebook.com/RaisetheRoof.Autism/?fref=ts

Publications:

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 112^th 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

Awareness Campaigns:

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/