ABOUT TRANSITIONS
Transitions is a supportive Apprenticeship for young men and women with autism spectrum disorders and other learning differences who want to attend college and/or prepare for a career, but may require academic, social, medical and/or emotional support. The Transitions program focuses on building academic skills, life skills and general independence for high school graduates and young adults with learning differences. Its specialty isn’t just in teaching students how to study or learn a trade – it’s in showing its students that they can live a life that even they never dreamed of.
TRANSITIONS ACCEPTS STUDENTS WHO ARE:
• Recent high school graduates up to age 27
• Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders including Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, nonverbal learning disorders, visual and hearing impairments, medical conditions and other learning differences.
• Emotionally, behaviorally and psychologically stable, motivated to participate and succeed, have the potential to graduate college, hold a job and/or live independently.
TRANSITIONS CURRICULUM
• The core curriculum of Transitions covers the essential areas of social skills, health and wellness, independent life, self-management, and self-advocacy and leadership.
• Apprentices who attend college receive support with studying, managing course work, following course
syllabi, time management and handling social interactions in classrooms.
• Apprentices also receive support as they prepare for a career. They learn how to prepare a resume, dress and act professionally, interview, write and communicate.
• All Apprentices complete internships at local businesses and take a one-credit college course in career success.
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Priya Winston is one of the program developers at Transitions and an individual with a disability. She was diagnosed with nonverbal learning differences at age fourteen and ever since, she has had to contend with people telling her she would not accomplish her goals. Even expert psychologists assured Priya that she would have difficulty in high school and that some things would be simply out of her reach. But through a lot of hard work and the support of a parent who has built a distinguished career supporting individuals with differences, Priya has gone far above and beyond the expectations people set before her. Now, she is a recent graduate of SUNY Albany’s Honors College. She maintained a full academic-based scholarship and was able to work, volunteer at her church and complete two internships while going to school. Priya is living proof that a diagnosis of a learning difference does not in any way mean that someone can’t accomplish the goals they set for themselves.
SCHEDULE
Day ONE
4:30PM | Arrival, registration, introductions and tour
5:30 to 6:30PM | Keynote Address
6:30 to 7:30PM | Dinner
7:30 to 9PM | Mixer with karaoke and photo booths
DAY TWO
8 to 9AM | Breakfast buffet
9 to 10AM | Wellness seminar presented by a Mayo Clinic certified Wellness Coach
10 to 11AM | Art in the Adirondacks at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts with local artist Brenda Dwyer
11 to 12:30PM | Culinary class with Chef Salvatore Mannino: making old world style pasta with marina sauce and meatballs
12:30 to 1:30PM | Lunch
1:30 to 3PM | Theater class with actress and director Roberta Esposito
3 to 4:30PM | Leadership and advocacy seminar
4:30 to 5PM | Free time to enjoy the site
5 to 6PM | Career preparation seminar
6 to 7PM | Dinner
7 to 9PM | Team sports or music class with DiAnne Mott, a Grammy Award-winning local music teacher
DAY THREE
8 to 9AM | Breakfast
9 to 10AM | Social skills seminar
10 to 11AM | Independent living seminar
11 to 11:30AM | Distribution of certificates and checkout
For detailed course descriptions, visit www.transitionsusa.org.
PARENT TRACK
TAKES PLACE ON DAY TWO OF EACH CAMP
10 to 11:30AM | Transitions tour and curriculum overview
11:30 to 12:30PM | Lunch
12:30 to 2:30PM | 10 Things You Need to Know Before Your Son or Daughter Leaves Home (and How to Learn Them)
ACCOMODATIONS
Students in high school will stay in dormitory-style housing while students beyond high school will experience group apartment living. Peer mentors will be available onsite and can provide verbal prompting for daily living skills such as waking up on time and managing medications.
ROOM RATES
Single: $80 per night
Double: $50 per night
Four to a room: $35 per night
Students and families may also choose to stay in local hotels. Please ask for the “Lexington” room rate at the following hotels:
Holiday Inn
January/February - $98.95, May/October - $99.95, December - $98.95 per night*
308 N. Comrie Ave.
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 762-4686
Microtel
$79 +tax per night*
136 N. Comrie Ave.
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 762-5425
*Rates subject to change.
MEALS
Meals are included in the registration fee. Please contact us if you have any dietary restrictions.
WHAT TO BRING
• Favorite pillows or items
• Toiletries
• Outside gear appropriate for the weather
• Sneakers