Autism Collaborative, Center of Excellence Programming

The University Of Scranton Job Club

The University of Scranton Job Club has been running each semester facilitated by students from the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program and program director Dr. Rebecca Spirito Dalgin. The six-week program will run again this spring with transition-age young people with autism, ages 16-22. Some attendees are still in high school and are exploring careers and learning pre-employment skills, some are out of school and looking for work, and some have jobs and are working on employment maintenance skills. The sessions run in the evening on campus, and we adjust the curriculum each semester to meet the needs of the attendees.

Virtual Caregiver Support Group

The virtual Caregiver Support Group is a psychoeducational support group for adults, 18 years or older, who identify as a caregiver, specifically for a loved one with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The support group focuses on improving the mental health and well-being of caregivers in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania through the implementation of evidence-based research and an innovative facilitation model. Through the utilization of the “Caring for You, Caring for Me” curriculum from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, these group meetings are designed to further enhance understanding of caregiver-related topics such as self-care strategies, problem-solving skills, building cooperative relationships, accessing resources, and ultimately sharing common concerns and joys with others.

The support group has been offered since Fall 2019 and continues to provide a weekly space for connection and community for participants during both fall and spring semesters. As part of the group experience, Dr. Bordonada invites both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in counselor training to observe and co-facilitate group meetings for educational purposes. In collaboration with Dr. Bordonada, students are responsible for planning discussion questions that prompt participants to further elaborate on their role as caregivers.

After each group meeting, Dr. Bordonada debriefs with students to provide feedback on their counseling skills and offers guidance for the upcoming group meeting. Additionally, students are encouraged to exchange feedback with each other. Although one hour each week may not be nearly enough time for what these dedicated caregivers deserve, we continue to provide a meaningful, reflective, and productive experience for them to connect with others and feel supported.

Top row from left, Tara James (SC), Laurie Joseph (CMHC), and Nina Pascolini (CMHC); middle row from left, Kristen Kondrosky (CMHC), Dr. Tiffany Bordonada, associate professor (CMHC), and Annie Lefler (CMHC); bottom row from left, Natalie Gray (CMHC) and Mei Lin McElhill (CMHC); not pictured, Rachel Millan (CMHC) and Izabella DeNaples (CHS).

Left to right, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling students in Practicum: Chris Zinkle, Zackary Nearhoff, Emily Howells, and Kate Dalrymple.