A college prep program for teens with social language challenges and social anxiety
Next Step is designed to help students with social language and anxiety challenges prepare for college. The program serves as a simulation for independent living.
Juniors and seniors in high school, or students who have recently graduated.
Including ASD, Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NLD), or related learning differences.
High school students who are serious about pursuing higher education.
Date & Time: Saturday, March 18th, 8:30AM - 4:00PM
Cost: $400/student
Location: The Baker Center, 53 Parker Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02120 and Boston University
Participants will learn about Executive Functioning Skills and Strategies for College (postponed session from November), featuring Dr. Szimonetta Mulati, and hear what strategies have worked for our program alum panel. We are also delighted to be resuming our optional Parent/ Guardian Education Sessions with Noelle (8:30-10:30). The day will also include a visit to Boston University, providing an example of a large urban college. A light breakfast will be provided for both student participants and parents/ guardians and lunch will be had at the BU dining facility for student participants. The day will begin and end at the Baker Center (53 Parker Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02120) and we will be using public transportation for traveling to and from Boston University.
If this is your first time participating in a session, please use the link below to fill out an enrollment form.
Date & Time: Saturday, April 29th, 8:30AM - 4:00PM
Cost: $400/student
Location: The Baker Center, 53 Parker Hill Ave, Boston, MA 02120 and Northeastern University
Participants will learn about social opportunities in college, social goal setting, and handling new social experiences as we explore Social Life in College: Adjusting to New Experiences as our theme for the day-long session. We will offer a Parent/Guardian Education Session from 8:30-10:30. A light breakfast will be provided as well as lunch for participants at Northeastern University, the campus we will be experiencing in the afternoon. The day will begin and end at the Baker Center (53 Parker Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02120) and we will be using public transportation for traveling to and from Northeastern University.
If this is your first time participating in a session, please use the link below to fill out an enrollment form.
Date & Time: July 23 - July 28
Cost: $3000/student (refundable $600 deposit with remaining balance of $2400 due on 7/1)
Location: Boston College
This is your young adult’s (age 16-20) opportunity to:
Day-long weekend sessions focused on building particular skills, engaging in problem-solving activities, and exploring a college campus.
A week-long college simulation experience at a real campus. Participants will stay at a dorm with a roommate, experience dining on campus, build executive functioning and self-advocacy skills, and more.
A fun group experience where participants will engage with other teens preparing for college and gain valuable experience with social interaction and skill building.
The Next Step program has been supporting teens since 2013 and the program has evolved over the years to offer even more for the community.
My son emerges from these sessions feeling more confident and competent and I, as a parent, emerge feeling like I can slow down, appreciate my child, and take some of the pressure off of both of us. I leave the Next Step sessions with a fresh perspective, realizing that my son's differences can also be considered his strengths.
A profoundly life-changing experience- I now believe in myself and my ability to be successful at the college level as well as whatever the next step happens to become.
Next Step provides a valuable, thoughtful, and practical bridge for families making the transition from high school to college.
It's amazing how many successes my daughter has had in a relatively small amount of time. I've gone from worrying whether she'd survive high school and graduate to how am I going to afford four years of college. It's a good worry!
