In the News:
Travolta Brother's Film Camp Aids Autistic Youths
Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA
Published: July 29, 2011
For some, the Hollywood film industry may bring to mind a movie-making machine run by cutthroat
studio executives, cranking out blockbusters on bloated budgets that star pampered actors.
For Joey Travolta, 60, older brother of actor John Travolta, filmmaking is all about inclusion.
Over the past decade, he has worked with children and adults with neuro-developmental disabilities such
as autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Travolta runs two full-time vocational training programs in Southern
California and a traveling film camp for high school-aged students that focus on teaching socialization and
communication skills through movie-making.
Read more here >>
Autism Education and Research Institute Merges With AHEADD To
Support Autism Community
The Autism Education and Research Institute (AERI), an organization committed to providing
consultative services that incorporates innovative current research in the field of autism, announces
their merging with Achieving in Higher Education with Autism / Developmental Disabilities (AHEADD)
in order to support consumers, families, schools, and their surrounding communities who are impacted
by Autism Spectrum Disorders
Published September 8, 2010
AERI and AHEADD have worked collaboratively over the last several months to develop a model that
supports and prepares college-bound high school students for a smoother transition into a college setting.
A new program, Advancing College and High-school-aged Individuals' Educational and Vocational
Experiences (ACHIEVE), is under formation for high school students across Western Pennsylvania and
will implement the trademarked AHEADD model to support students prior to entering college.
Read the press release >>
Stanford Who's Who
Sensational Executive Director Of Educational Program Exceeds The Criteria For Membership With
Stanford Who's Who
Published: April 29, 2010
Stanford Who's Who welcomes Carolyn Komich Hare to the ranks of leading professionals as a result of
her extraordinary effort in the Education Industry. As Executive Director of AHEADD Inc. she has
consistently displayed the passion, vision and dedication necessary to be among the best.
Read the entire article >>
The Wall Street Journal
Work & Family Mailbox
Published: February 25, 2009
Q: I have a high-school junior with Asperger's syndrome. He is high-functioning but socially challenged.
I've heard that some colleges have support groups for these kids and perhaps mentors to help them. Can
you provide advice?
Read on to see the answer >>
The Model Asperger Program
Supporting Students with Aspergers Syndrome in College
The Ivymount School
AHEADD Founder, Carolyn Komich Hare, MS, was asked to lecture parents, professionals and other care
providers on how to support students with Asperger's Syndrome in College. The presentation included
what you should know, and work on, in Elementary, Middle and High School.
USA Today
Autistic students get help navigating college
By Melissa Kossler Dutton, Associated Press
Published: July 8, 2008
When Dan Hackett started college, he didn't make the grades he knew he could.
Hackett, who has Asperger's syndrome, found at the Community College of Allegheny County in
Pittsburgh that some of his symptoms were holding him back. He had difficulty organizing his time and
managing assignments. "I always knew I could do better," said Hackett.
His parents tried to help, but he wasn't comfortable with them intervening at college. He was relieved to
discover Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Developmental Disabilities, a group that helps
college students like him.
After contracting with AHEADD, Hackett's grade point average increased from 1.5 to 3.6.
Read More >>
The New York Times
A Dream Not Denied; Students on the Spectrum
By Abigal Sulivan Moore
Published: November 5, 2006
Valerie Kaplan has an aptitude for math, and scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. When her high school
classmates applauded the announcement at lunch, she was pleased. But less obvious signals -- a raised
eyebrow or impatient glance at a watch -- elude her. In an advanced course at Carnegie Mellon called
''Building Virtual Worlds,'' that problem caused classmates to sideline her in group projects. And during a
critical meeting to win approval for...
Read More >>
The Chronicle of Higher Education
For the Learning Disabled, a Team Approach to College
By Sara Lipka
Published: December 15, 2006
Anna L. Gardner tried what she calls "college college." But soon after she enrolled at the University of
Denver last fall, Ms. Gardner — who has a developmental disability called nonverbal learning disorder —
started slipping. She fell behind in her classes and could not catch up. The university's busy disability-
services center offered her one advising session a week, but that was not enough.
Ms. Gardner's disability makes it unusually hard for her to pick up nonverbal cues and adapt to new
situations. At Denver she struggled to make friends and feel at ease in a big dorm. Last December she
withdrew from the university and went home. "It was just too much," she says.
Read More >>
Asperger's Association of New England
ASPERGER U! Tips for Aspie Success in College
By Carolyn Komich Hare and Marie Hicks, LMHC
Published: Fall 2007
We are entering a new era! As the generation of children diagnosed in the late 1990’s comes of age,
following the 1994 entry of Asperger’s Syndrome into the DSM-IV, more Aspies than ever are off to
college. (“Aspie” is a name coined by adults with AS who are active in the Asperger Pride movement.) Of
course we all know there has always been an AS presence on the college campus. (Tony Attwood has
joked about going to the physics or the engineering department and trying to find the neurotypicals!)
Now more than ever though, Aspies are entering college with a diagnosis. This puts them in a better
position to know what kinds of supports might be needed, and where trouble may be encountered, as well
as to be eligible for disability services.
Read More >>
SPINS Newzine
He Graduated! Now What? It's Time To Get AHEADD
By Carolyn Komich Hare
Published: July 2007
Much attention is shifting toward our adult population with various learning differences and the need to
provide effective support services that maximize independence. More specifically, there is a clear
increase in focus toward providing appropriate postsecondary support in higher education for students
with High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Non Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) and
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). According to a recent NY Times article, ‘with earlier and better
intervention, more of these children are considering college, and parents, who have advanced them
through each grade with intensive therapies and unrelenting advocacy, are clamoring for the support
services to make that possible.’ Unlike many other (residential) programs for students with ...
Read More >>
Travolta Brother's Film Camp Aids Autistic Youths
Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA
Published: July 29, 2011
For some, the Hollywood film industry may bring to mind a movie-making machine run by cutthroat
studio executives, cranking out blockbusters on bloated budgets that star pampered actors.
For Joey Travolta, 60, older brother of actor John Travolta, filmmaking is all about inclusion.
Over the past decade, he has worked with children and adults with neuro-developmental disabilities such
as autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Travolta runs two full-time vocational training programs in Southern
California and a traveling film camp for high school-aged students that focus on teaching socialization and
communication skills through movie-making.
Read more here >>
Autism Education and Research Institute Merges With AHEADD To
Support Autism Community
The Autism Education and Research Institute (AERI), an organization committed to providing
consultative services that incorporates innovative current research in the field of autism, announces
their merging with Achieving in Higher Education with Autism / Developmental Disabilities (AHEADD)
in order to support consumers, families, schools, and their surrounding communities who are impacted
by Autism Spectrum Disorders
Published September 8, 2010
AERI and AHEADD have worked collaboratively over the last several months to develop a model that
supports and prepares college-bound high school students for a smoother transition into a college setting.
A new program, Advancing College and High-school-aged Individuals' Educational and Vocational
Experiences (ACHIEVE), is under formation for high school students across Western Pennsylvania and
will implement the trademarked AHEADD model to support students prior to entering college.
Read the press release >>
Stanford Who's Who
Sensational Executive Director Of Educational Program Exceeds The Criteria For Membership With
Stanford Who's Who
Published: April 29, 2010
Stanford Who's Who welcomes Carolyn Komich Hare to the ranks of leading professionals as a result of
her extraordinary effort in the Education Industry. As Executive Director of AHEADD Inc. she has
consistently displayed the passion, vision and dedication necessary to be among the best.
Read the entire article >>
The Wall Street Journal
Work & Family Mailbox
Published: February 25, 2009
Q: I have a high-school junior with Asperger's syndrome. He is high-functioning but socially challenged.
I've heard that some colleges have support groups for these kids and perhaps mentors to help them. Can
you provide advice?
Read on to see the answer >>
The Model Asperger Program
Supporting Students with Aspergers Syndrome in College
The Ivymount School
AHEADD Founder, Carolyn Komich Hare, MS, was asked to lecture parents, professionals and other care
providers on how to support students with Asperger's Syndrome in College. The presentation included
what you should know, and work on, in Elementary, Middle and High School.
USA Today
Autistic students get help navigating college
By Melissa Kossler Dutton, Associated Press
Published: July 8, 2008
When Dan Hackett started college, he didn't make the grades he knew he could.
Hackett, who has Asperger's syndrome, found at the Community College of Allegheny County in
Pittsburgh that some of his symptoms were holding him back. He had difficulty organizing his time and
managing assignments. "I always knew I could do better," said Hackett.
His parents tried to help, but he wasn't comfortable with them intervening at college. He was relieved to
discover Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Developmental Disabilities, a group that helps
college students like him.
After contracting with AHEADD, Hackett's grade point average increased from 1.5 to 3.6.
Read More >>
The New York Times
A Dream Not Denied; Students on the Spectrum
By Abigal Sulivan Moore
Published: November 5, 2006
Valerie Kaplan has an aptitude for math, and scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. When her high school
classmates applauded the announcement at lunch, she was pleased. But less obvious signals -- a raised
eyebrow or impatient glance at a watch -- elude her. In an advanced course at Carnegie Mellon called
''Building Virtual Worlds,'' that problem caused classmates to sideline her in group projects. And during a
critical meeting to win approval for...
Read More >>
The Chronicle of Higher Education
For the Learning Disabled, a Team Approach to College
By Sara Lipka
Published: December 15, 2006
Anna L. Gardner tried what she calls "college college." But soon after she enrolled at the University of
Denver last fall, Ms. Gardner — who has a developmental disability called nonverbal learning disorder —
started slipping. She fell behind in her classes and could not catch up. The university's busy disability-
services center offered her one advising session a week, but that was not enough.
Ms. Gardner's disability makes it unusually hard for her to pick up nonverbal cues and adapt to new
situations. At Denver she struggled to make friends and feel at ease in a big dorm. Last December she
withdrew from the university and went home. "It was just too much," she says.
Read More >>
Asperger's Association of New England
ASPERGER U! Tips for Aspie Success in College
By Carolyn Komich Hare and Marie Hicks, LMHC
Published: Fall 2007
We are entering a new era! As the generation of children diagnosed in the late 1990’s comes of age,
following the 1994 entry of Asperger’s Syndrome into the DSM-IV, more Aspies than ever are off to
college. (“Aspie” is a name coined by adults with AS who are active in the Asperger Pride movement.) Of
course we all know there has always been an AS presence on the college campus. (Tony Attwood has
joked about going to the physics or the engineering department and trying to find the neurotypicals!)
Now more than ever though, Aspies are entering college with a diagnosis. This puts them in a better
position to know what kinds of supports might be needed, and where trouble may be encountered, as well
as to be eligible for disability services.
Read More >>
SPINS Newzine
He Graduated! Now What? It's Time To Get AHEADD
By Carolyn Komich Hare
Published: July 2007
Much attention is shifting toward our adult population with various learning differences and the need to
provide effective support services that maximize independence. More specifically, there is a clear
increase in focus toward providing appropriate postsecondary support in higher education for students
with High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Non Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) and
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). According to a recent NY Times article, ‘with earlier and better
intervention, more of these children are considering college, and parents, who have advanced them
through each grade with intensive therapies and unrelenting advocacy, are clamoring for the support
services to make that possible.’ Unlike many other (residential) programs for students with ...
Read More >>
SM
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