Initiated in 2022, the Missouri State University-West Plains Autism Support Can Empower New Directions program now has a dedicated home in a brand-new building on the MSU-WP campus.
Groundbreaking was in November 2023, with area state legislative representatives, then-Gov. Mike Parson and other supporters present to introduce the $10.5 million project, funded by the state, MSU and the American Rescue Plan Act, administered by the Howell County Commission. It will soon also include an adjacent sensory garden donated by the Philanthropic Friends Giving Circle.
All are invited to an open house to formally unveil the facility from 1 to 3 p.m. March 8 at 701 W. Main St.
The program offers support services to students accepted to MSU-WP who have an autism diagnosis or other neurodivergency diagnosis, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression or sensory processing disorder, although the focus is on autism.
Now called TJ Swift House ASCEND Program, the facility has the involvement of the family that founded TJ Swift House, a developmental disability services provider, including Tracy Hollis and son Dr. Nate Swift, his wife Erin, and daughter Keely Swift-Gale and her husband Dylan Gale.
The organization brings years of experience and insight into the goals of the program and integrating people with disabilities into their communities by focusing on their strengths.
It is designed to accommodate the unique needs of students with autism who have demonstrated the ability to succeed in a college setting, but likely will need accommodations for continued academic success.
Autism is a spectrum disorder that can include a hypersensitivity to sensory input, social interaction challenges, difficulty understanding social cues and expressing emotions. Because it is a spectrum disorder, individual challenges look different.
The program has been led by Director Mikala King since March 2022, a special education teacher who had professional experience with students with autism and varying abilities when she took the helm.
Effective executive functioning, organization and time management can be challenging for those who are neurodiverse. TJ Swift House ASCEND program focuses on these during their time at college.
Students are introduced to new strategies to help them be successful.
Additionally, student volunteers called Allies act in a support role and spend time with program students socializing to help ease the social transition into college and do it on a peer level. Other social support offered includes volunteer opportunities for ASCEND students, and monthly social events.
Sensory and environmental supports include "break-out" rooms with furnishings and equipment that can help students process and conquer overwhelming surroundings and refocus on their goals.
"Our mission at TJ Swift House ASCEND is to encourage and foster self-confidence, self-advocacy and growing independence in college students with autism, to understand students’ strengths and weaknesses, and help them learn and apply skills and strategies to successfully navigate the communication, planning and problem-solving demands of college life," King said.
To learn more about the program and its offerings, go to wpmissouristate.edu/ASCEND.
