Beyond Akeela was designed from its inception to be a NVLD transition program for teens who learn differently. There are many ways to prepare teens with NVLD for college, and we look at the transition in four different areas. Social Development, Executive Function, Acts of Daily Living, and Self-Advocacy.
Self-Advocacy for NVLD Teens Transitioning to College
A major difference between high school and college is how student access support. In high school, teens are surrounded by teams to support their various needs, and parents play a major role in setting up the accommodations. In college, students are required to independently seek out and advocate for their accommodations, or any other support they benefit from. This transition is one students must be prepared for so they can continue accessing appropriate support. This applies to their learning in the classroom, social life, and mental health. At Beyond Akeela’s NVLD transition program for teens, campers are challenged to seek out appropriate support when they encounter problems.
Interdependent vs. Independent
We all rely on SOME type of support to navigate the challenges of lives, and manage many responsibilities on our own. This is called interdependence. A teens transition to college, they are challenged to determine when it’s appropriate for them to find solutions to problems independently, and when to seek out support. Beyond Akeela staff help teens find interdependence, asking them to solve problems on their own when they can, and encouraging them to advocate for support when they need it.
Self-Awareness
To be a great self-advocate, teens must be very self-aware. They need to know what they are good at independently, and what they need support with. Beyond Akeela builds self-awareness in teens by giving them countless opportunities to solve problems and make independent decisions. Self-awareness builds confidence, which gives Beyond Akeela teens with NVLD the boost they need before their college transition.
Do you have a teen with NVLD preparing to transition into a post-secondary program or college? We’d love to chat and see how we can help!
