In this student spotlight, College Living Experience sits down with one of our students to discuss what it’s really like to move to a new city, live away from family for the first time, and take meaningful steps toward independent living.
When a young adult leaves home for college, a transition program, or a new community, families naturally focus on the big outcomes. Success is subjective and individual to the person and their family. It can also bring fear. Will they succeed academically? Make friends? Hold a job? Manage their responsibilities? Build a fulfilling adult life?
At College Living Experience (CLE), independence has always been more than a goal—it’s a developmental process. But real independence doesn’t take shape in isolation. It grows through exposure, variation, and the everyday unpredictability of life alongside others.
Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation featuring CLE alumni and their parents as they reflect on their experiences, challenges, and growth during their time at CLE. Together, they’ll share what CLE support truly looked like from both the student and parent perspective — and how the skills developed during the program translated into real-world independence after CLE.
As we step into Autism Awareness Month, we’re excited to highlight two community partners who show a strong commitment to celebrating neurodiversity. Many CLE students identify as autistic, and we believe this month offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate the value of truly inclusive spaces.
When families begin thinking about life after high school, the conversation often starts with one question: What’s next? For some, the answer feels obvious. For others, it feels overwhelming. Choice can feel like a double-edged sword — “I get to choose” and “How will we possibly decide?” — all at the same time.
This webinar provides parents with a roadmap to focus on practical strategies to help their young adults thrive whether their next step is a university campus, a vocational program, the workforce, or community volunteering.
When families think about college preparation, it’s easy to focus on grades, test scores, and applications. But for autistic students, success in college has just as much to do with what happens outside the classroom—things like managing a schedule, asking for help, or figuring out what to eat for dinner.
Join licensed occupational therapist and certified driving rehab specialist Heather Ackart for a session designed to help parents support their child’s first steps toward driving.
This workshop is designed for parents, guardians, and family members who want to better understand how to plan for their child’s future at every stage of life.
