STEP Program Components
What support looks like day-to-day at EIU
The STEP Program at 海角社区 provides structured, personalized support to help students with autism succeed in college and build independence.
STEP students are fully admitted, degree-seeking EIU students who participate in campus life while receiving additional support designed specifically for their needs.
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What is STEP?
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STEP is an autism support program developed at EIU and led by experienced professionals in:
- Executive functioning
- Social communication
- Self-regulation and independence
- Brain development and learning strategies
Students in STEP:
- Attend regular college classes
- Pursue their chosen major
- Build skills for academic, social, and personal success
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Our mission
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STEP helps students:
- Build confidence and independence
- Develop self-advocacy skills
- Understand their strengths and challenges
- Learn strategies to manage college-level expectations
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Core areas of support
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STEP focuses on four key skill areas that are essential for college success:
- Executive functioning
Organization, time management, planning, and task completion - Self-awareness and self-advocacy
Understanding personal needs and communicating effectively - Communication and social flexibility
Navigating conversations, relationships, and campus situations - Social connection
Building friendships and engaging in campus life
- Executive functioning
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What services are included?
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STEP combines multiple types of support to help students succeed:
Academic and daily support
- Weekly **one-on-one academic coaching**
- Structured **study tables**
- Help with planning, prioritizing, and tracking assignments
- Support with email, deadlines, and organization
- Small group sessions focused on:
- Executive functioning
- Communication skills
- Problem solving
- Life and self-management
- Students work on real assignments and real challenges in these sessions
- Peer mentors to help students connect on campus
- Weekly and monthly social events
- Recreation and leisure support based on student interests
- Early move-in and extended orientation
- Campus navigation support
- Visual schedules and routine-building tools
- Two-day, on-campus summer experience for new students and families
- Follow-up virtual coaching sessions
- Focus on routines, organization, and preparing for the first semester
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Real-world skill development
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STEP helps students build practical skills they will use in college and beyond:
- Plan and manage
Time management, organization, and task initiation - Communicate effectively
Self-advocacy, perspective-taking, and adapting communication styles - Develop independence
Goal setting, reflection, and decision-making - Prepare for careers
Resume building, interview preparation, and workplace expectations
- Plan and manage
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Support beyond the classroom
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STEP works across campus to support student success:
- Communication with faculty when needed
- Collaboration with housing and campus offices
- Participation in the EIU Student Support Team
- Progress reports twice per semester
- Optional communication by phone or email
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Additional support services
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When appropriate, students may be referred to EIU’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic for additional support with:
- Communication skills
- Language processing
- Social understanding
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Important to know
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STEP is not:
- A special education program
- A replacement for academic coursework
- A program that modifies university curriculum
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Who is a good fit for STEP?
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STEP is designed for students who:
- Have a diagnosis of autism
- Are academically prepared for college-level coursework
- Want support while building independence
- Can manage parts of their day independently
- Do not require constant one-on-one supervision
- Want help with organization, planning, and follow-through
- Are open to learning about social and communication strategies
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Program structure and commitment
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- Limited enrollment each year
- Application and interview required
- Commitment of 10–12 hours per week
- Some students continue in full support
- Others transition to a less intensive Maintenance level
- Some students graduate from STEP as they become more independent
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Learn more and get started
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To explore STEP further:
- Visit the Apply and Visit page
- Contact us to discuss your student’s needs
|
, B.S., Graduate Student, Former STEP Student |
and Professor, Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences |
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Interviewed by Matt Gunter, Chief Communications Officer of Routine Success, and founder and creator of a podcast designed for neurodiverse high school students and their families navigating post-graduation options. |
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Helpful Tips & Tools to Get Your Student College-Ready
Funding provided in part by The Autism Program of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
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