Faculty and graduate students are joining a nonprofit agency in curriculum training to teach independent living skills.

By University Communications June 13, 2008

Students and faculty in The University of Arizona’s department of speech, language and hearing sciences and the UA Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center are taking part in a training program where they will learn to teach independent living to those afflicted with autism and or Asperger’s Syndrome.
The training program is part of a specially designed curriculum by Chapel Haven West, a private nonprofit agency founded in 1972 that is dedicated to helping adults with special challenges live independent and productive lives.
The training puts UA graduate students in the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences at the cutting edge of research and the opportunity to provide clinical services to the Chapel Haven West residents, who will live within walking distance of the UA campus. The Chapel Haven curriculum includes recreation programs and lessons on social communication, residential life skills, education and employment.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, Asperger’s is an autism spectrum disorder, one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. The disorder is characterized by poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, motor delays, clumsiness, limited interests and peculiar preoccupations.
Overall, people with Asperger’s Syndrome are capable of functioning in everyday life. Chapel Haven West opens its new two-year residential program on June 30 and will house and teach 17 men and women on the high end of leaning ability in the autism spectrum. Chapel Haven West is a part of Chapel Haven Inc., a private nonprofit agency founded in 1972.
“There are programs for children and adolescents, including the Autism Clinic Extension of the Grunewald Blitz Clinic for Communication Disorders in Children, a partnership with the UA and Tucson Alliance for Autism, but Chapel Haven West is the only program in the county focused on serving the adult population,” said Betty McDonald clinical instructor of speech, language and hearing sciences at the UA.
Funding for the two-week training program that began June 12 at the UA department of speech, language and hearing sciences comes from a $22,000 grant from Autism Speaks.
“This is a unique opportunity for our students to receive training in a much needed area. In addition, we are very pleased to be able to partner with an organization that will serve the Tucson Community,” said Elena Plante head of the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences at the UA.
The goals of Chapel Haven students vary and range from sampling classes and perhaps college matriculation to vocational goals and the possibility of employment on the University campus or within the community.
The residential program offers opportunity for socialization, volunteer or paid employment, continuing education classes, mentoring by college students, athletic events, and the atmosphere of a vibrant, active college campus. In addition, Chapel Haven West will provide a lifetime of support for its clients as they transition to independent living in the Tucson area.
The training program is a partnership between the UA department of speech language, and hearing sciences, Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques, UA Disability Resource Center and Chapel Haven West, a satellite program of Chapel Haven, Inc., of New Haven, Conn.