I am writing this review as a parent of a College Living Experience (CLE) student. Our son has just started his second year at CLE-Monterey.
Our son has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He has always been very high functioning when it's come to academics. He has continued this success while at CLE. The one-on-one tutoring and study sessions have helped prepare him for exams and projects. With the support of CLE staff, he has also become a great advocate for his own educational needs. This support has decreased his anxiety and worry; helping him feel more competent and confident.
He has also done a great job living on his own for the first time. While he knew how to accomplish simple tasks around the house (making simple food, washing dishes, doing laundry), he had never been responsible for accomplishing these tasks on a regular basis. With the independent living support provided by CLE staff, he has learned to do his laundry, clean his apartment, complete a weekly meal plan, make his grocery list, and then complete his grocery shopping - now with only minimal oversight. He's also become an expert at using the public transit system.
Our son has also made incredible advances in his social skills. There's always something going on at CLE where he can practice his social skills. He attends a number of social events each week including dining at local restaurants, going to the movies, bowling, hiking, and miniature golf. He's even invited classmates to his apartment for snacks and a movie! He's becoming more and more comfortable in social situations.
We cannot say enough about the staff at CLE. They are true professionals, each with a heart of gold. They are loving and caring and want nothing but the best for the students. They celebrate our son's successes and support him during his challenges. We feel completely confident that our son is in good hands while in the CLE program.
We won't say our son is a new person; because he was a pretty great person before he started CLE. What we will say is that because of his hard work and that of the CLE staff, he's been able to tap into the skills and talents that were within him, just waiting to be discovered.
We look forward to his continued progress as he attends his second year at CLE. Based on what he's accomplished so far, the sky's the limit for him. We could not recommend CLE more highly. read more