The PASS Program is designed for UTK students who are either diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder; including High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s, or those who have significant symptoms of an Autism Spectrum Disorder that are significantly impairing his or her functioning.
We provide individual and group skill development specifically focused on improving interpersonal social skills, communication skills (personal and electronic, i.e., texts and email), coping skills (anxiety reduction), and liaison between the students, faculty, staff, and parents.
We have converted our application process for the PASS Program to an online entry form; this form is now ready for students and parents to use.
In conjunction with the change in application procedures, we are taking applications for the 2018-2019, and possibly 2019-2020, academic years in an on-going, or rolling procedure. This means that we are accepting students at any time into the program if application is made and the student is determined to be a good fit. This may be beneficial to new students who may need or want the services, but didn’t know about the PASS Program.
Since the PASS Program is supplementary services, we do have to charge a program fee to fund the services. Program fees were approved by University administration over the summer, and those fees are well within the range of what our peer institutions charge for similar programs and services. You can read UT’s press release here.
For more information about the PASS Program and application, you can find more here, or you can email Dr. Carolyn Blondin cblondin@utk.edu or call 865-974-6177.