EIU STEP

What is STEP?

STEP is an autism support program developed at Eastern Illinois University by a team of seasoned speech-language pathologists with extensive backgrounds and expertise in executive functions, social cognition, brain development, clinical therapy methods to facilitate self-regulation, and shifting clients to self-direction in the context of transitioning to independence. We are in our 11th year of supporting EIU college students with autism, having originated as a small segment of support from the Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences. We now provide services for up to 30 students each year and are housed within are own series of classrooms, offices, and work-spaces in Klehm Hall. STEP students are degree-seeking college students who have been admitted to the University and are pursuing their academic and social goals just as any other student on campus. Our students interests, talents, backgrounds, and goals are as unique and diverse as they are.  

WATCH: Interview with Noah Wright, B.S., Graduate Student, Former STEP Student

WATCH: Interview with Jill Fahy, Director of STEP and Professor, Dept. of Comm Disorders & Sciences

As interviewed by Matt Gunter, Chief Communications Officer of Routine Success, and founder and creator of Inclusive Academia, a podcast designed for neurodiverse high school students and their families navigating post-graduation options.

Our Mission

• To encourage and foster self-confidence, self-advocacy, and growing independence in academically-ready students with autism;
• To assist students in gaining a greater understanding of themselves while supporting their efforts to assume responsibility and control over areas of their lives as young, adult college students;
• To understand students’ strengths and weaknesses, and help them learn and apply skills and strategies to successfully navigate the communication, planning, and problem solving demands of college life. 

Our Services

STEP focuses on 4 key areas essential to successful transitions to the collegiate academic environment: executive function skills and strategies, self-appraisal and self-advocacy, insightful and flexible communication, and social connections on campus. Students will see these concepts embedded throughout our small-group sessions, individual coaching, study tables, peer mentorship, and social scaffolding networks. We facilitate student-driven goals through differentiated layers of guidance, from directive to facilitative to reflective supports, as students work to gain independence and accountability for their academic goals. STEP is not a special education program nor is it designed or intended to teach, re-teach, or modify the academic curriculum requirements of the University or the courses your college student enrolls in. 

Services include: 

• Early Move-In, Extended Orientation, Campus Navigation, Visual Schedules assist in acclimating to routines and expectations 
• Weekly 1:1 Academic Coaching Meetings and Structured Study Tables help students develop self-monitoring, set essential goals, anticipate and prioritize academic work, develop habits for tracking email and grades, and anticipate potential challenges in the week
• Peer Mentors and Rec & Leisure Supports help students pursue their interests and connect with others across campus 
• Weekly and Monthly Social Events provide balance with academics and offer social networks for students to develop friendships
• Weekly Small Group Skill-Building Sessions target Executive Functions, Strategic Communication, Social Flexibility, Life & Self Coaching, and Work-Life Transitions. We use evidence-based therapeutic approaches to facilitate ongoing development of complex cognitive and metacognitive skills in a contextualized and personal environment. Students bring their actual work, assignments, challenges, or concerns to Group as real-world practice opportunities. 
  • Plan & Manage: Students develop executive functions including insight, self-awareness, strategic planning, task monitoring/initiation, time management, organization and prioritization
  • Strategic Communication and Social Flexibility: Students practice taking perspective, interpreting information in context, evaluating communication goals or barriers for self-advocacy, initiating communication in complex situations, and shifting communication strategies 
  • Life and Self Coaching: Students are guided towards goal-setting conversations, encouraged to select skills or strategies to use, reflect upon successes and challenges, consider when or how to adapt as they continue to be self-determined 
  • Work-Life Transition: Students evaluate differences between collegiate and work environments, consider workplace expectations for communication and output, reflect upon personal achievements and skills, develop or refine resumes in conjunction with Career Services, prepare for interviews, and more
• Communication with Parents is a key component of STEP. We provide written clinical reports twice per semester to highlight progress and needs, make recommendations, and suggest goals. Phone calls and/or email are also utilized to maintain communication as needed.
• Education and Advocacy across Campus is embedded into our presence within EIU. STEP assists students in unexpected or high-stress situations that require complex problem solving. We reach out to faculty to seek their input or field questions, and we interface with Housing and other offices across campus to facilitate students' success. STEP is a member of the EIU Student Support Team which meets weekly to maintain connecctions and networks of support for all students. 
• Speech-Language Therapy. On occasion STEP may refer students to the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic within the Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences for additional intervention to support communication (e.g., language processing/language disorders, executive functions, social perspective-taking skills, etc.). No additional cost is required for these services.

Who is a Good Match for STEP? 

STEP is geared towards students with a diagnosis of autism who are academically ready for the college classroom and who desire to participate in our program as they strive to become responsible for the success of their college career and goals. Candidates for admission to STEP have typically been enrolled in college-preparatory level courses in high school and/or community college. We are a good match for students who have the ability to direct parts of their day without the need for 1:1 support or extensive modifications to their homework assignments, but who still need guidance organizing, prioritizing, planning, and monitoring the completion of their homework. We are also a good match for those students who have some degree of accurate self-awareness as we support their efforts to learn about and respond effectively to the social and communication situations of the college environment. 

STEP Admissions

STEP has limited enrollment, an application and interview process, and a commitment of 10-12 hours a week from students. All students who are initially admitted and agree to participate in STEP take part in the Full STEP program. Status is updated each semester and recommendations for the coming term are provided. Some students remain in Full STEP the entire time they are here at EIU, while othres may downshift to our less-intensive Maintenance program. Students may continue on in Maintenance, or it may become apparent that the student no longer needs STEP and leave us to carry on with their EIU career. See our Visit and Apply Page for details.

 Helpful Tips & Tools to Get Your Student College-Ready

• 40 Study Tips for Neurodiverse Students https://www.studocu.com/blog/en/40-study-tips-for-neurodiverse-students 
• How to Support Neurodiversity in College https://bibliu.com/blog/how-to-support-neurodiversity-in-college 
• College Autism Network https://collegeautismnetwork.org/ 
• NeurodiversityHUB Resources for Tertiary Students & Young Adults, Parents, and Carers https://www.neurodiversityhub.org/resources-for-students 
• Graduation Daze: 6 Ways to Smooth the Transition from High School to College https://www.additudemag.com/transition-from-high-school-to-college-tips-for-adhd-teens/?src=embed_link 
• Teens with ADHD Need Scaffolds and Structure: How Not to Helicopter Parent (Leahy, Rogers, Pesantez, 2021) https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-in-teens-support-helicopter-parent/