Assessments
Beacon College’s Transition Center designed a Transition Questionnaire that helps identify student strengths and weaknesses across executive functioning, social, emotional regulation, and independent living skill domains. The Questionnaire is completed by the student, a parent/guardian, and a teacher in order to understand the discrete skills that the student will need to develop prior to entrance to college.
At the end of the program, the family receives an extensive Transition Report that summarizes student engagement and strategies developed. Additional information shared includes strengths and weaknesses, potential patterns when transitioning to college, and concrete recommendations.
Student Contacts
Using a virtual platform, students interact with their assigned Transition Counselor on a consistent basis. Each session is differentiated based on the student profile, educational environment, learning style, and college placement. Outside of scheduled sessions, students receive “check-ins” to ensure they understand the strategies taught and are practicing the skills they have been working on. Student sessions typically last forty-five minutes and are scheduled based on their availability.
Parent Contacts
Through virtual platforms, parent sessions focus on how to develop executive functioning, independent living, social, and emotional regulation skills at home. Additionally, sessions will center on the family adjustment to college, information regarding disability law, as well as psychoeducation regarding student learning profiles and post-secondary needs. Parent sessions typically last forty-five minutes and are scheduled based on their availability.
Webinars
Occurring monthly, students and parents will have separate webinars that focus on globalized topics important to the college transition. Facilitated by Beacon College faculty and staff, webinars addresses a range of topics including financial management, social integration, changes in family dynamics, and problem-solving skills. Webinars typically last an hour and are a great opportunity for students to connect with each other, and for parents to form relationships with other families.
Notes & Newsletters
After each session, detailed summaries are sent to the student and parent that outlines objectives, engagement, and skills worked on. Similar notes are sent to parents summarizing their family session too. All webinars are recorded or documented, providing access to families if they cannot attend. Each month, thematic newsletters are sent that addresses other ongoing transition issues for students entering college, ranging from accessing assistive technology to campus safety.
