Students With Special Needs Attend College This Fall

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- College students with special needs across the country are registering for classes, buying books and pursuing their dreams through a program that helps them attend college and learn to live independently.

College Living Experience (CLE) provides intensive assistance with academic, independent living and social skills to college students with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Asperger's Syndrome, non-verbal learning disorders and other learning disabilities as they attend college.

"The greatest fear of parents of children with special needs is, 'What will happen to my child when I'm gone?,'" said Mark Claypool, president and CEO of Educational Services of America (ESA), which operates CLE. "Many parents never consider college as an option and they worry their children will not be prepared for independent adulthood. With the support and services of CLE, exceptional students can attend college, earn degrees and achieve the academic and social skills they need to live independently."

Students live together in apartments near the local CLE offices and student centers while taking classes at community colleges, vocational schools or universities. CLE professional staff members work closely with students to provide structured tutoring sessions, independent living skills training and social outings.

The program provides such a comprehensive support system that - just like traditionally developing students going off to college - CLE students can travel from all over the country and attend the program of their choice.

This fall, CLE will operate programs in Austin, Texas; Chicago; Denver; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Monterey, Calif.; and Washington, D.C.

"By offering daily tutoring, independent living assistance, social events and access to a staff psychologist, we make sure all the needs of our students are met," Claypool said. "We focus on students' needs so they can focus on their dreams."

For more information on CLE, visit http://www.cleinc.net/ or contact Patricia Giner, national director of admissions, at 800-486-5058.

CLE is a division of Educational Services of America (ESA), the nation's leading national provider of special, alternative and post-secondary educational programs. For more information on ESA, visit http://www.esa-education.com/.