Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy

About ELSA

A four-year program, ELSA provides a full-time, post-secondary educational experience to young adults with developmental disabilities. The program emphasizes three key areas:

• Academics & Career Exploration - Students work to increase their literacy and capacity for writing, mathematics, purposeful reading, and reading for pleasure. Technology and career exploration courses, including job shadowing, internships, and field experience, are also hallmarks of the ELSA program. Personal finance courses are integrated throughout the program. Additionally, students have the option to audit Elmhurst College undergraduate courses, beginning in their second year of study, pending necessary approvals.
• Independent Living Skills - Students are taught valuable strategies to enhance their skills in budgeting, menu preparation and cooking, shopping, use of public transportation, household management, personal care, and functional life skills.
• Social and Recreational Skills. Students have the opportunity to participate in campus-based clubs, organizations, intramural sports, attendance at sporting or other events on/off campus with mentor support, and use the College’s fitness center. Elmhurst College students, serving as peer mentors and education coaches, engage ELSA participants in a range of planned activities and encourage peer interaction and social skills.

Personal responsibility and advocacy, decision-making, time management, and organizational skills are integrated into across the curriculum. Upon completion of the ELSA program, students participate in the College’s commencement ceremony and receive a certificate of completion with transcript course work. ELSA alumni are invited to attend evening support seminars offered periodically by the College.  What’s more, each graduate will be better prepared to hold a job and live with greater independence in the community or with their family.
 

Elmhurst Life Skills Academy 2005-2006