Program Levels

Greater Expectations has three program levels that include:

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

1-2 hours

  • Interview with the individual and parents/caregivers
  • Establish the individual’s unique autism profile including strengths, challenges, and personal goals
  • For further inquiries, please contact us online or apply now!

LEVEL 1

Assessment data, application information, and data from the initial interview will be used to determine areas of greatest need and develop individualized programming in the following areas:

  • Self-determination – developing vision, SMART goals
  • Self-awareness – individual strengths and
    weaknesses, emotions
  • Social awareness – hidden rules, expected behavior,
    social cues
  • Planning – prioritizing, task analysis, work systems
  • Time management – estimating time, budgeting
    time
  • Organization – checklists, calendars
  • Task initiation – first-then, self pep talk, rewards
  • Life skills – hygiene, daily routines, household chores

 

Level 1 Requirements

  • 12 one-on-one sessions
    1 or 2 times per week for 1 hour each
  • Team meeting
    To review progress, next steps, and recommendations

LEVEL 2

Introduce and practice the following skills:

  • Self-determination – workplace values, working style, career interests
  • Self-management – sensory supports, calming strategies, self-regulation
  • Relationship skills – social behavior mapping, healthy boundaries, communication
  • Impulse control – perseverance, making better choices
  • Flexible thinking – size of the problem, what I can control, multiple solutions
  • Working memory – learning styles
  • Attentional control – managing distractions, Pomodoro
  • Life skills – clothes, budgeting, home maintenance, health care

 

Level 2 Requirements

  • 12 one-on-one sessions
    1 or 2 times per week for 1 hour each
  • Team meeting to review progress, next steps, and recommendations

 

LEVEL 3

Introduce and practice the following skills:

  • Self-determination – self-advocacy, disability disclosure
  • Responsible decision making – teamwork, work attitudes, responding to feedback
  • Emotional control – mindfulness
  • Problem solving – integrated supports, backup plans
  • Self-monitoring – knowing when things go right, periodic self-reviews
  • Life skills – job applications, resume, mock interview

Ready to sign up? Please see our application form to get started!

Level 3 Requirements

  • 12 one-on-one instructional sessions
    1 time a week for 1 hour each
  • 8 apprenticeship sessions
    1 time a week for 2 hours each session
  • Apprenticeship supervision: 8 hours total
    • Week 1 & 2 
      2 hours each session
    • Week 3 through 6
      1 hour each session
    • Week 7 & 8
      No supervision, each session is independent of staff. Instructional sessions and apprenticeship sessions will take place concurrently
  • Team meeting to review progress, next steps, recommendations, and continuing support

"During my time in the Greater Expectations program, I learned many things about perspective, others perspective, and how to tell between the story in my head and reality.  But what I learned about myself is I have a hard time with understanding other people’s perspective but I am a good leader/teacher.  Some tools I learned to use include checklists, proactive vs. reactive thinking, and the “story in my head” worksheet.  The most challenging part of the program was accepting “being different than others.”  My favorite part of the program was running the cash register and enjoyed engaging with customers and hearing compliments about Autism Avenue.  My daily life is somewhat different now, I do my laundry and my room is cleaner as is the basement.  I’m going to be more aware or open minded about other people’s perspectives on things.  I would encourage others to participate in the program because it teaches you that what you “don’t like about yourself” or think is a weakness can actually be your strengths!"

- Riley B.