• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Donate
  • (207) 443-3341
  • Impact Stories

Pine Tree Society

  • Home
  • Pine Tree Camp
    • Overnight Camp
    • Camp Pine Cone Day Camp
    • Adventure Day Pass
    • Pine Tree Camp to You
    • Camp On The Road: Piscataquis County
    • Camp On The Road: York County
    • Retreats
    • Special Programs
  • Children & Families
    • Audiology
    • Children’s Case Management
    • Early Learning Center
    • Occupational Therapy
    • 2022 Children’s Conference
    • Sign Language Interpreting
    • Speech Language and Assistive Technology Services
  • Adults & Families
    • Audiology
    • Case Management
    • Community Support
    • Pine Tree Camp
      • Pine Tree Camp to You
      • Adventure Day Pass
      • Overnight Camp
      • Retreats
      • Special Programs
    • Sign Language Interpreting
    • Speech/Language and Assistive Technology Services
  • About Us
    • Our Roots
    • Our Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Annual Report
    • Join Our Team
    • Connect With Us
    • Pine Tree Society Blog
    • News
  • Events
    • Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp!
    • Dysart’s Snowmobile Ride-in
    • Flutie 5K at Pine Tree Camp
    • See All Events

News

Program Helps Young Adults with Autism Prepare for the Future

Lori Manson on April 7, 2016

Noah has a goal of attending college when he graduates. Alannah is a high school sophomore looking for a part time job. Kate just turned 20 and would like to be able to live on her own. These goals might sound like those any young person in Maine would strive for, but there is one key difference that makes their goals unique: Noah, Alannah, and Kate all have autism. For them, achieving their ambitions takes extra commitment and effort.

Noah’s focus for the last year-and-a-half has been graphic design and that’s what he’s planning to study. Pine Tree Society’s Autism Transition Program is a step toward meeting that goal.

“I’ve watched him grow socially to the extent that he even offered up information himself during the program, which shocked me because he doesn’t usually do that,” said his mother, Stacey.

She finds that the workshops he’s taken part in have helped him immensely, not just with the topic at hand but with unexpected things. “The arts and crafts program really helped with his dexterity. I didn’t expect that,” she said.

The recent Autism Transition Career Exploration workshop was designed to help participants explore what types of jobs would be right for them based on their interests and skills.

He’s learning the importance of making eye contact, listening, and following directions. All skills he’ll need to succeed in college.

Alannah’s parents have been surprised at how she’s expanded socially in the program and how her patience has increased. Her mother Margaret recalled how, before her participation in this program, she didn’t have any patience at all.

“Over time in the class she’s been gaining patience with the other kids,” she said. They’ve found it helpful to have her attend the Autism Transition Program on the younger side.

“Early on, people told us to expose her to as many different things as we can, as early as we can because it will take her longer to learn,” she said. “Her next step is to get a part time job and the next workshop is perfect timing for that because she’ll be learning how to fill out job applications.”

Kate graduated from high school a year-and-a-half ago and lives with her parents. “She gains confidence and independence being out in the community in this program,” said her mother Alicia. “I think of the classes as an opportunity for her to get a taste of the real world in a safe setting. She’s with other kids who have the same issues. We can tell she likes it because she always wants to go back and she gets prepared before class. The people who lead the program are so invested and willing to help. Everybody we have dealt with has been amazing.

“They are all very capable and caring. This program is a very good step for Kate.”

Kate’s parents want her to be as independent as can be, and she wants that too.

“Which is why we’re constantly trying to find programs like this that are the right fit for her to gain independence and social skills.”

 

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 16
  • Go to page 17
  • Go to page 18

Primary Sidebar

Latest Blog Posts

Spotlight: Pine Tree Camp’s Dirigo Experience for Deaf Youth

June 1, 2022

Pine Tree Camp on the Road comes to Guilford

May 31, 2022

A note from Noel: What it means to be back at Camp

May 2, 2022

Footer

social

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pine Tree Camp Facebook
  • Autism Connection Facebook

connect

  • (207) 443-3341
  • Connect With Us

about us

  • Annual Report
  • Our Roots
  • Our Leadership

support

  • Donate
  • Pine Tree Camp 100

get involved

  • Support Pine Tree Society’s Impact
  • Bath Savings Paddle for Pine Tree Camp!

Auburn

589 Minot Avenue
Auburn, ME 04210

(207) 443-3341 voice
(207) 777-1205 fax

Bath

149 Front Street
Bath, Maine 04530

(207) 443-3341 voice
(207) 443-1070 fax

Scarborough

Elevation Center
71 U.S. Route 1, Suite B
Scarborough, Maine 04074

(207) 443-3341 voice
(207) 510-4647 VP
(207) 885-0157 fax

Pine Tree Camp

114 Pine Tree Camp Road
Rome, Maine 04963

(207) 386-5990 voice
(207) 397-5324 fax

  • © 2022 Pine Tree Society
  • •
  • Privacy Policy
  • •
  • Donor Privacy Policy
  • •
  • Refund Policy
  • •
  • Staff Login
  • •
  • Non-Discrimination Disclosure
  • •
  • Website by RainStorm