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The Gersh Experience

Introduction

The Gersh Experience is a one-of-a-kind post secondary, undergraduate academic program for students with neurobiological disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, Tourette Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, and other mild to moderate Learning Disabilities.

The Gersh Experience is comprised of two programs: The Gersh Experience at Daemen College that supports a student in earning a Bachelors Degree and our Certificate Program that includes non-credit-bearing courses in adult level life skills along with the option of attending Erie Community College. The goal of both programs is to move a student towards independence in the areas of academics, employment, apartment living, money management and social interactions. Students will have many opportunities to develop their independent living skills and a vocational path through classroom and real life experiences supported by our caring and experienced staff.

In both Gersh Experience programs, staff knowledgeable of the needs of individuals with learning difficulties work with both college faculty and students to solve problems, clarify expectations, support learning, and assist in the successful completion of course works. Each Gersh student works closely with an advisor to develop an individualized program to address the student’s goals, interests, and needs. Both programs provide support in four broad areas: Academics, Independent Living Skills, Social and Emotional Functioning, and Vocational Training.

The Gersh Experience at Daemen College Services

Daemen College is a private, nonsectarian, co-educational, career-oriented liberal arts college in Amherst, New York. Its attractive suburban location offers convenient access to the cultural amenities of metropolitan Buffalo and the scenic outdoor recreation areas of Western New York.  The partnership between The Gersh Experience and Daemen College is designed to provide a customized level of support to assist each student while he or she is enrolled in fully accredited, college level courses leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in the Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, Pre-Professional Programs and Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition to the courses in their major area of study, Gersh Experience students participate in Daemen’s innovative core curriculum aimed at achieving seven key competencies critical to success in a complex world.

To learn more about Daemen College, visit their website at www.daemen.edu.

Though The Gersh Experience strives to provide a customized program of support based on the unique skills, strengths, interests and needs of each student the types of support most often provided are described below.

Academic Support Program
Academic tutoring (support) 2.5 hours per day (Sunday – Thursday evenings) by highly qualified professionals.
Provides regular communication with professors.
Assists in promoting academic success by problem solving with professors and other personnel on campus.
Provides organizational and time management support with assignments, projects, and papers.
Develops accommodation plans and assures their implementation.
Teaches self advocacy skills.

Social Emotional Support Program

A psychologist spends time with each student individually to ascertain his/her unique strengths, needs, desires, and goals.
Students learn to navigate difficult situations, problem solve, manage stress and handle their emotional distress.
When necessary, the staff psychologist is available to explain a student’s mental health needs to college personnel.
Training is provided to college faculty and staff on neurobiological disorders, their symptoms and appropriate interventions and responses.
Students are encouraged to participate in social activities that extend their social comfort level and provide practice in age-appropriate social skills
A safe, nurturing, comfortable home environment is provided where students are accepted for who they are and encouraged to grow.

Independent Living Skills Program

Gersh courses on a variety of independent living skill topics.
Staff assistance in identifying and practicing the independent living skills they have not yet mastered.
The student residences provide the opportunity for students to live in a dorm-like setting where they learn the skills necessary for cooperative living.
Students are expected to participate in such tasks of independent living as grocery shopping, meal preparation, household chores, laundry, etc.
Students are expected to live within a budget and are taught money management skills.
Students are taught how to access public transportation and/or receive assistance in acquiring a driver’s license.
Students are taught to shop for clothing and to understand the social norms of dressing appropriately for various circumstances.

Vocational Support Program

Students are counseled concerning their declaration of a major as well as their career interests.
A career inventory is provided and results summarized for those uncertain of a major.
Resume and cover letter writing classes are offered.
Students are given the opportunity to participate in mock interviews, which are video taped and reviewed with a career counselor.
Prior to graduation, each student is expected to participate in an internship closely related to his/her field of study.
Students are expected to participate in service learning situations to cultivate job skills while being involved in the community.

The Gersh Experience Certificate Program Services

The Gersh Experience Certificate Program provides courses for students seeking a “college experience” while developing their independent living skills and social ability. The courses offered as part of this program are held either on the Daemen Campus or in Gersh facilities and include but are not limited to such subjects as Banking and Money Management, Healthy Living, Computer Literacy, Social Relationships and Dating, Math for Daily Living, Citizenship, Problem Solving and Decision Making, and The World of Work. Many students involved in the Certificate Program also attend Erie Community College taking courses leading to either an Associate Degree or a Certificate of Completion in a specific program.

Academic Program

Gersh courses on a variety of academic and independent living skill topics.
Academic tutoring (support) 2.5 hours per day (Sunday – Thursday evenings) by highly qualified professionals.
Assists in promoting academic success by providing hands on, multisensory instruction.
Provides organizational and time management support with assignments and projects.
Develops accommodation plans and assures their implementation.
Teaches self advocacy skills.

Social Emotional Support Program

A psychologist spends time with each student individually to ascertain his/her unique strengths, needs, desires, and goals.
Students learn to navigate difficult situations, problem solve, manage stress and handle their emotional distress.
When necessary, the staff psychologist is available to explain a student’s mental health needs to college personnel.
Training is provided to faculty and staff on neurobiological disorders and learning disabilities, their symptoms and appropriate interventions and responses.
Students are encouraged to participate in social activities that extend their social comfort level and provide practice in age-appropriate social skills
A safe, nurturing, comfortable home environment is provided where students are accepted for who they are and encouraged to grow.

Independent Living Skills Program

Staff assistance in identifying and practicing the independent living skills not yet mastered.
Student residences provide the opportunity for students to live in a dorm-like setting where they learn the skills necessary for cooperative living.
Students are expected to participate in such tasks of independent living as grocery shopping, meal preparation, household chores, laundry, etc.
Students are expected to live within a budget and are taught money management skills.
Students are taught how to access public transportation and/or receive assistance in acquiring a driver’s license.
Students are taught to shop for clothing and to understand the social norms of dressing appropriately for various circumstances.

Vocational Support Program

Students are counseled concerning their career interests and identifying opportunities for vocational training.
Vocational assessments are performed when indicated and results summarized.
Resume and cover letter writing classes are offered as well as application completion.
Students are given the opportunity to participate in mock interviews and receive helpful feedback.
Prior to graduation, each student is expected to participate in two internships closely related to his/her field of interest.
Students are expected to participate in service learning situations to cultivate job skills while being involved in the community.

Residence Life

The Gersh Experience campus is located on 9.5 acres in North Tonawanda, New York. This safe, residential community is just a few miles from the Daemen and Erie Community College Campuses, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border. Its location provides easy access to a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, swimming, skiing, as well as theaters, restaurants, museums, and the many sights and sounds of metropolitan Toronto, a short two hour drive away.

Our facilities include a stately three story building that houses classrooms, dining facilities, a student union, a computer lab, a work-out room, a full size gymnasium, athletic fields and other amenities to enhance the college experience.

Gersh students live in a variety of residential options that include a dorm-like residence, as well as one and two bedroom apartments. A resident advisor is on call during the evenings and performs bed checks each night to ensure our students customized needs are met according to their level of independent living skills. Residential units comprise a living area, kitchen, dining room, study area, and three or four bedrooms. A shuttle system is available to transport students to and from the campus.
The residences serve as a base for students to develop close friendships, learn independent living skills such as budgeting, household management, culinary arts, and health and hygiene, while practicing their self-advocacy, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. The residence program also provides the students with opportunities to learn to access appropriate types of transportation to meet their needs.
The final Gersh building is an exquisite Victorian-style home built at the turn of the last century that serves as a meeting place for Gersh activities and as a place to stay for people visiting the program.

Student Life
Socializing with other students and staff is beneficial to every individual, and the Gersh Experience encourages that interaction in a variety of ways. Meals are provided three times a day in dining facilities that promote conversation and relationships among staff and students.

Weekly social outings are scheduled to promote friendships, social skills, and camaraderie amongst students. Outings are provided at a variety of venues to give students a chance to experience new things as well as enjoy their favorite activities. The trips give students the chance to enjoy their own interests, develop their independent life skills, and build interpersonal relationships with their peers.

Along with the scheduled outings, Gersh students have the opportunity to host their own community activities such as pizza parties, ice cream socials, movie nights, and other age appropriate activities. In addition, Daemen College offers a variety of social functions including dances, plays, concerts, lectures and sports events that are easily accessible to any Gersh student.

The Gersh facilities as well as the Daemen Campus provide several options for being physically fit such as swimming pools, weight rooms, a gymnasium, and the opportunity to play sports. Every Gersh student is strongly encouraged to participate in a physical fitness program that includes regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

Highlight trips to places like Niagara Falls, Toronto, New York City, and Boston are organized at Spring Break to give students the opportunity to travel and learn to navigate more complex social settings. Every aspect of Gersh Experience student life will prove to be enjoyable while teaching lessons to encourage every student to succeed in life.

What parents and professionals are saying about Gersh...

"What we really like about Gersh too is that it is small enough that individual children's needs can be met, and that James can experiment while feeling safe."