Who: Teenagers ages 14 through 19 with Autism, High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and similar social skills deficits.
What: Monarch Summer Social Language Program (MSSLP) Leadership Program is a five-week ESY program designed for teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (and similar social skills deficits) who are interested in developing leadership and social skills while performing community service projects. Four days a week participants will engage in community service projects with neurotypically developing peers at local non-profit organization including MedWish. In addition, they will also attend customized leadership workshops, facilitated by experts, on topics including team building, problem solving, communicating effectively, and socializing. Throughout the week participants will alternate eating lunch at restaurants in the community, and enjoying on-site brown bag lunches. One day a week they will join peers from the MSSLP Teen Program at a local camp for swimming, lunch and recreational activities. The invaluable skills and experience participants will acquire in the MSSLP Leadership Program can be generalized to all facets of their lives.
Staff: The MSSLP Leadership Program is directed by Karin Hess-Hopkins, M.S.S.A., Kara Smith, M.S., CF-SLP, and Brandy Siegel, Intervention Specialist. Additional staff members and workshop facilitators are professionally trained.
Where: Participants will be dropped off and picked up at Monarch School (22001 Fairmount Boulevard, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44118). The program will provide transportation to and from community service venues throughout the week.
When: Monday, June 17 through Friday, July 19. The five-week program meets five days a week, from 9am to 2pm daily.
How: Candidates who are interested must contact Karin Hess-Hopkins at 216.320.8658 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to request an application, provide a reference, and schedule a personal interview. They will be notified within three weeks of their interview if they are accepted. This is a new and innovative program for MSSLP and participation is limited.
Fee: The tuition per participant is $3,250.
