Guest guest Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Mike, First, it may take time for word to get around. Second, remember that in adulthood, many families will have their young adults either a)attending a full-time day program through a service provider or parents both work and young adult is at home with no transportation. Third factor could be money. Unless folks have the adult HBCS Waiver, they may not have the disposable income to sign up for classes. Life and money priorities do change once the school day is gone...people need to make the same amount of money go farther, to fill many more hours in the day. That said, many of us on this list think what you are trying to do is WONDERFUL. I loved some of the course offerings, and since you have a child with autism yourself, have to assume you’ve worked hard to make sure the material being presented is accessible to the learner with autism. I think that’s great! I just met a few moms today from the Palatine area, I will forward your info to them tonight. One is in transition now, the other in high school. If they are willing, I’ll ask them to send you feedback or other ideas (or possibly to sign up!) L. From: mbaker721@... Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 3:51 PM IPADDUnite Subject: Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks for the feedback. You provided me what I was trying to accomplish. Get some understanding of reasons for why or why not for enrolling in the courses. Thanks Mike Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2012 Report Share Posted January 25, 2012 The information will also be good to know, since I will be meeting with people from Harper, probably in the next month. Yes. The classes and curriculum are all geared towards special needs people. The person who runs the program, Hoeck, used to work at NSSEO, as as an Autism coordinator. The enrichment classes, will all be at night during the week, because of what you said, parents are working. We are trying to get donations to set up scholarships to help people pay tuition and will look for other sources of donations to help people pay for classes. I'm working to get infomation together on transportation options, (Dial-a-ride, etc) so at least people can have a resource. Hoeck is also trying to get the vocational program set up in the fall. In your opinion, should the classes also be at night? Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Mike, I hope you get feedback from others, too. My own feedback is this, and I’m not saying that everyone feels this way: As got older, and aged out of public school, I was getting older myself. My husband works in downtown Chicago, leaves the house at 5:30 and gets home routinely at 7:15. We go to bed by 10:00, unless we stay up to watch Jon ’s opening, hardly ever do we make it to Colbert. You do reach a point in life, especially after the mom goes through menopause, when you start to want to reclaim some semblance of life for yourself. I do all I can during the day, and on weekends, to help (and others) live a productive, meaningful and safe life. I am her primary caregiver. By the time dinner rolls around, I am finished for the day. Completely, utterly finished. And, since I’m fortunate enough to still have a husband who enjoys spending some time with me, I want to be home in the evenings, too, in case there’s no sports on TV he wants to decompress in front of...then we spend time together! So you see, for us, nighttime classes are not in the picture. When was your son’s age, I’m ashamed to admit I recall thinking stern, rather judgmental thoughts towards older parents who didn’t seem willing to pursue opportunities for their older kids at all hours of the day and evening. I’m sure right now you are having trouble imagining a time when you wouldn’t want to do these things for your son. Humbling how one’s own perspective can shift in less than a decade. Thanks for all you are trying to do! Laurie From: mbaker721@... Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:56 PM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Harper College The information will also be good to know, since I will be meeting with people from Harper, probably in the next month. Yes. The classes and curriculum are all geared towards special needs people. The person who runs the program, Hoeck, used to work at NSSEO, as as an Autism coordinator. The enrichment classes, will all be at night during the week, because of what you said, parents are working. We are trying to get donations to set up scholarships to help people pay tuition and will look for other sources of donations to help people pay for classes. I'm working to get infomation together on transportation options, (Dial-a-ride, etc) so at least people can have a resource. Hoeck is also trying to get the vocational program set up in the fall. In your opinion, should the classes also be at night? Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipients(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail and are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ________________________________ From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Thu, January 26, 2012 7:39:39 AM Subject: Re: Harper College Mike, I hope you get feedback from others, too. My own feedback is this, and I’m not saying that everyone feels this way: As got older, and aged out of public school, I was getting older myself. My husband works in downtown Chicago, leaves the house at 5:30 and gets home routinely at 7:15. We go to bed by 10:00, unless we stay up to watch Jon ’s opening, hardly ever do we make it to Colbert. You do reach a point in life, especially after the mom goes through menopause, when you start to want to reclaim some semblance of life for yourself. I do all I can during the day, and on weekends, to help (and others) live a productive, meaningful and safe life. I am her primary caregiver. By the time dinner rolls around, I am finished for the day. Completely, utterly finished. And, since I’m fortunate enough to still have a husband who enjoys spending some time with me, I want to be home in the evenings, too, in case there’s no sports on TV he wants to decompress in front of...then we spend time together! So you see, for us, nighttime classes are not in the picture. When was your son’s age, I’m ashamed to admit I recall thinking stern, rather judgmental thoughts towards older parents who didn’t seem willing to pursue opportunities for their older kids at all hours of the day and evening. I’m sure right now you are having trouble imagining a time when you wouldn’t want to do these things for your son. Humbling how one’s own perspective can shift in less than a decade. Thanks for all you are trying to do! Laurie From: mbaker721@... Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:56 PM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Harper College The information will also be good to know, since I will be meeting with people from Harper, probably in the next month. Yes. The classes and curriculum are all geared towards special needs people. The person who runs the program, Hoeck, used to work at NSSEO, as as an Autism coordinator. The enrichment classes, will all be at night during the week, because of what you said, parents are working. We are trying to get donations to set up scholarships to help people pay tuition and will look for other sources of donations to help people pay for classes. I'm working to get infomation together on transportation options, (Dial-a-ride, etc) so at least people can have a resource. Hoeck is also trying to get the vocational program set up in the fall. In your opinion, should the classes also be at night? Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Â Good to know. I hope I'm not mistaken about the need for programs right now for the after age 22 population. Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Thanks. So is there still a need for this type of thing? I understand what your saying. Appreciate it. Mike Baker Re: Harper College  Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Mike: There is definitely a need for these kinds of programs!!!!! Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipients(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail and are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ________________________________ From: " mbaker721@... " <mbaker721@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Thu, January 26, 2012 8:22:16 AM Subject: Re: Harper College Thanks. So is there still a need for this type of thing? I understand what your saying. Appreciate it. Mike Baker Re: Harper College Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Ok. Thanks. End of discussion,. lol Re: Harper College  Mike: There is definitely a need for these kinds of programs!!!!! Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 These programs are defiantly needed and helpful. Please keep them going and don't let attendance be interpreted as lack of interest. What about a online course / Webinar to help with a families time management? Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Re: Harper College Thanks. So is there still a need for this type of thing? I understand what your saying. Appreciate it. Mike Baker Re: Harper College  Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Life skills like that were definately being considered. But when it was talked about it was for in class type of things. Online was not really thought about. The big thing would be finding a person to teach the class. Mike Re: Harper College  Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Mike, Based on what I know of the Naperville area, we have lots of families exiting with no public funding beyond SSI. How does that translate into how a typical day looks for your average post-public-education 22-year old with a DD? People are looking for things to do continue learning, that have meaning, that help their young adult be productive, and have fun – my point was that perhaps instead of offering most of them at night, that Harper consider offering at least some sessions during the morning or afternoon hours. Before the caffeine has worn off for us parents! L. From: mbaker721@... Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 8:22 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Harper College Thanks. So is there still a need for this type of thing? I understand what your saying. Appreciate it. Mike Baker Re: Harper College Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Hi Mike: Hopefully, I will be able to find the time to get Noah to a class at Harper in the fall...can't wait to check it out! Maybe a group of us will find a way to sign up for the same course and have a little social time before or after. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I live in Crystal lake so I'm out of the Harper district. How do I get more information on these programs? > > > > I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, > > at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment > > courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. > > There is no out of district fees to apply. > > > > Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for > > classes? > > > > Thanks > > > > Mike Baker > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 With the enrichment classes at Harper. They are all through the Continuing education program. They are battling for class space with the for credit classes during the day. Historically. Nights are when the class space are available. With the classes geared toward DD adults, curriculum needed to be modified and enrichment classes through Continuing Ed. was the only fit to get anything going. So your battling for class space to get anything going form morning/afternoon. There was a Computer class that just got canceled for lack of enrollment that would have started at 3:30pm in the afternoon. The vocational program that they want to start, from what your saying, should probably be in morning/afternoon. Money to help with tuition for people is also trying to get up an going. Will take time. Mike Re: Harper College Laurie: Thank you for speaking for all of us " exhausted " moms! I too at one time thought I would NEVER run down; alas, the day has come. By the time I finish cooking and feeding the hungry masses within my home; I feel as if a truck has run me down. I still have not been able to reconcile some of the guilt, but I'm working on it. Bedard, PLA Ricky, andra and 's Mom Mothers on a Mission, Inc. 6515 Stanley Avenue #4 Berwyn, IL 60402 708-217-3196 www.mothersonamission.net www.noewait.net I thought I would have to teach my children about the world, but instead I have to teach the world about my children~~ Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Good idea. I have worked as an aide in a Baking class last session. My son is 13, so he would be too young to enroll. Mike Re: Harper College  Hi Mike: Hopefully, I will be able to find the time to get Noah to a class at Harper in the fall...can't wait to check it out! Maybe a group of us will find a way to sign up for the same course and have a little social time before or after. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 First. You don't pay out of district fees. You can email Hoeck at lhoeck@... or go to their website. Go to the Harper College website. Click on Continuing Education. enrichment classes. Students with Developmental Disabilities and find information. Thanks Mike Baker Re: Harper College  I live in Crystal lake so I'm out of the Harper district. How do I get more information on these programs? > > > > I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, > > at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment > > courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. > > There is no out of district fees to apply. > > > > Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for > > classes? > > > > Thanks > > > > Mike Baker > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Being an Aid in a class would be something I would be interested in. Who did you talk to and Where can I get a course list. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Re: Re: Harper College Good idea. I have worked as an aide in a Baking class last session. My son is 13, so he would be too young to enroll. Mike Re: Harper College  Hi Mike: Hopefully, I will be able to find the time to get Noah to a class at Harper in the fall...can't wait to check it out! Maybe a group of us will find a way to sign up for the same course and have a little social time before or after. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Heres the Harper link. I said in a previous posting that it was Students with Developmental Disabilities. They have it as Intellectual. Sorry. To be an aide. Contact Cashman at scashman@... . Classes. Hoeck at lhoeck@... . To be an aide at Harper and get paid. The pay is $10 an hour and if there is an opening. The paperwork, to be honest, is like applying for a home loan. They will check your background. http://goforward.harpercollege.edu/ce/areas/enrichment/specialneeds.php Thanks Mike Baker 847-951-0668 Re: Harper College  Hi Mike: Hopefully, I will be able to find the time to get Noah to a class at Harper in the fall...can't wait to check it out! Maybe a group of us will find a way to sign up for the same course and have a little social time before or after. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Thanks for all the info - this is very helpful!! > > > > Heres the Harper link. I said in a previous posting that it was Students with > > Developmental Disabilities. They have it as Intellectual. Sorry. > > > > To be an aide. Contact Cashman at scashman@... . > > > > Classes. Hoeck at lhoeck@... . > > > > To be an aide at Harper and get paid. The pay is $10 an hour and if there > > is an opening. The paperwork, to be honest, is like applying for a home loan. > > They will check your background. > > > > > http://goforward.harpercollege.edu/ce/areas/enrichment/specialneeds.php > > > Thanks > > > > Mike Baker > > 847-951-0668 > > Re: Harper College > >  > > > > > Hi Mike: > Hopefully, I will be able to find the time to get Noah to a class at Harper in the fall...can't wait to check it out! > Maybe a group of us will find a way to sign up for the same course and have a little social time before or after. > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Sure. If a person w ants to talk with me in person. I live in Schaumburg. I presently voluteer with the local autism parent support group. We are trying to merge the group with Autism speaks/ Chicago land chapter HQ, as their first parent support group in the area. Mike Baker 623 Balboa Ct. Schaumburg, IL 847-352-1174 cell 847-951-0668 Re: Harper College > >  > > > > > Hi Mike: > Hopefully, I will be able to find the time to get Noah to a class at Harper in the fall...can't wait to check it out! > Maybe a group of us will find a way to sign up for the same course and have a little social time before or after. > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Mike, I think these programs look awesome and I applaud how hard you've worked to pull this together. Harper is a bit of a drive for us but we would consider something as the weather improves and driving is less of a hassle at night. I agree with some of what has been said already. Come evening, I'm ready to do a lot of nothing..My daughter is 30 and of course looking for lots of ways to be involved. But, it takes our energy to make that happen. I will definitely pass this info on to other parents I know and keep my eye on classes and times they are available. Again, thank you for all of your hard work - fingers crossed it isn't too long before it takes off. kathy Re: Harper College Good to know. I hope I'm not mistaken about the need for programs right now for the after age 22 population. Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 I have my state rep, just call me. I want her to get a meeting together to get transportation officials together to get an organized format together for parents on transportation options for parents to look at on how to get your kids to Harper, if you signed up for classes. Its been great to hear the feedback. Very useful! I got the feeling that Vocational classes should be in the daytime to get people to come. Enrichment classes? Probably because of class space will be mostly at night. A class that I helped out in and is great for the adults. Cooking II-They help kids learn about meal planning and putting meals together. I also helped out in a Baking Class with the kids. Daytime class-Practice and Active Lifestyle-Sat-4/21-5/12-2-4pm-$69 for the class. If transportation can get your kids to Harper and allow you quiet time. Would that make more likely for your child to enroll in classes? Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Dead on (my feet) and nicely summarized, Laurie. Nevertheless, this is a great idea and about time. I've talked to Hoeck several times over the years (we, especially Adam, know very well) about what Harper had for us. I agree with Mike (Hi, NTMY) that she will undoubtedly make some of the offerings suitable/adapted for autism. She has gifted insight with autism. In that regard, I think Ellen's earlier mention of auditing classes with Noah was more useful (Ha! Who says I'm not tactful) than the suggestion that we could have social time after class. I'm reminded of a different experience that I think is more relevant to the way Adam, and I think Noah, would " get into " a class. That learning activity would be early Cub Scouts with my other son. Picture dads (substitute any audit partner you like here) and sons doing activities as pairs. In scouts, the young boys focus better with the parent partner, but the parallel activity with peers gives it the fun and maybe a little competitiveness. I'm fairly certain Adam would settle into (dare I say enjoy) this model better than a standard classroom model. In my case, I thinking a sister (who could use a little cooking practice herself IMHO) would be the idea audit partner. Heads up Marie. Sorry to focus only on the autism side, but I'm sure most of the program will be, as always, geared for social normalcy -- not our world. > > Mike, > > I hope you get feedback from others, too. My own feedback is this, and I’m not saying that everyone feels this way: As got older, and aged out of public school, I was getting older myself. My husband works in downtown Chicago, leaves the house at 5:30 and gets home routinely at 7:15. We go to bed by 10:00, unless we stay up to watch Jon ’s opening, hardly ever do we make it to Colbert. You do reach a point in life, especially after the mom goes through menopause, when you start to want to reclaim some semblance of life for yourself. I do all I can during the day, and on weekends, to help (and others) live a productive, meaningful and safe life. I am her primary caregiver. By the time dinner rolls around, I am finished for the day. Completely, utterly finished. And, since I’m fortunate enough to still have a husband who enjoys spending some time with me, I want to be home in the evenings, too, in case there’s no sports on TV he wants to decompress in front of...then we spend time together! So you see, for us, nighttime classes are not in the picture. > > When was your son’s age, I’m ashamed to admit I recall thinking stern, rather judgmental thoughts towards older parents who didn’t seem willing to pursue opportunities for their older kids at all hours of the day and evening. I’m sure right now you are having trouble imagining a time when you wouldn’t want to do these things for your son. Humbling how one’s own perspective can shift in less than a decade. > > Thanks for all you are trying to do! > Laurie > > > From: mbaker721@... > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:56 PM > IPADDUnite > Subject: Re: Harper College > > > > > The information will also be good to know, since I will be meeting with people from Harper, > > probably in the next month. Yes. The classes and curriculum are all geared towards special > > needs people. The person who runs the program, Hoeck, used to work at NSSEO, as > > as an Autism coordinator. The enrichment classes, will all be at night during the week, because > > of what you said, parents are working. We are trying to get donations to set up scholarships to > > help people pay tuition and will look for other sources of donations to help people pay for classes. > > I'm working to get infomation together on transportation options, (Dial-a-ride, etc) so at least people > > can have a resource. > > Hoeck is also trying to get the vocational program set up in the fall. In your opinion, should the > > classes also be at night? > > Thanks > > Mike Baker > > Harper College > > I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, > > at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment > > courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. > > There is no out of district fees to apply. > > Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for > > classes? > > Thanks > > Mike Baker > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I told Mike privately that College of DuPage has been doing this for a while. I'll add here that when Neal was in transition, the transition staff worked hard to get the students to take one of the COD offerings each semester, sometimes with PE classes, and would do the transportation. They also tried to set it up so the transition kids would stay for lunch at least once a week, encouraged them to sit with classmates, and staffers sat at another table! Transition co-ordinator told me, " College is where the peers are. Let's hang out there. "  They also taught them some of the card games that were very popular--card games were very hot at that moment (are they still?). -Gail ________________________________ From: " mbaker721@... " <mbaker721@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 12:30 PM Subject: Re: Harper College  I have my state rep, just call me. I want her to get a meeting together to get transportation officials together to get an organized format together for parents on transportation options for parents to look at on how to get your kids to Harper, if you signed up for classes. Its been great to hear the feedback. Very useful! I got the feeling that Vocational classes should be in the daytime to get people to come. Enrichment classes? Probably because of class space will be mostly at night. A class that I helped out in and is great for the adults. Cooking II-They help kids learn about meal planning and putting meals together. I also helped out in a Baking Class with the kids. Daytime class-Practice and Active Lifestyle-Sat-4/21-5/12-2-4pm-$69 for the class. If transportation can get your kids to Harper and allow you quiet time. Would that make more likely for your child to enroll in classes? Thanks Mike Baker Harper College I've posted before about new enrichment classes and the planning of vocational classes, at Harper College in Palatine being offered for special needs young adults. Enrichment courses are currently being offered this spring, through the Continuing Education program. There is no out of district fees to apply. Question is this. What do you think it would take for parents to sign up their kids for classes? Thanks Mike Baker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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