Ross’ Story

Ross, a former student at SCO’s Westbrook Preparatory School, is a motivated and engaging young man who has Asperger syndrome. “I’m actually different from many people with Asperger’s in that I’m a very social guy,” says Ross. “On the other hand, sometimes I am unaware of other people’s feelings. I can be impulsive, and I do get overwhelmed. ”

Ross had difficulty adapting at his previous public school due to these challenges. However, Westbrook’s residential school setting gave Ross the opportunity to work on his social skills and develop strategies to help him avoid feeling overwhelmed.

One key element of life at Westbrook is the internship program. While students find comfort and build confidence living and learning with other teens who have similar challenges, they know that they need to prepare themselves to communicate and work well with all kinds of people. Ross’s first internship was at Sports Authority, and he held another at St. Brigid’s Elementary School Camp where he found talking with children about sports very rewarding.

His interest in sports led Ross to his next internship at WCWP 88.1 FM, the college radio station at CW Post. He ran the audio control sound board at sporting events, made guest appearances on a college sports talk show and researched sports information for use on air. He enjoyed his experience so much that he decided to study communications in college.

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Clinical Services

The clinical team at Westbrook Preparatory School is comprised of licensed social workers, behavior specialists and a school psychologist. Counseling services a comprised of several different treatment modalities, and our clinicians routinely complete professional development courses and continuing education classes in order to stay current in the clinical field.

All students receive individual counseling twice per week and group/social skills therapies once per week. Our clinical staff works with our students to develop appropriate emotional regulation skills, learn coping strategies and communication skills, as well as, acquiring the ability to advocate for themselves and build up their self-esteem and confidence. In addition, students receive weekly speech and language therapy, to work on language pragmatics, and may receive occupational and physical therapy as needed.

During the school year, from September to June, Parent Training and Counseling sessions are facilitated by the clinical team twice per month. Parents are encouraged to work closely with their child’s assigned clinician, who will establish weekend/home visit schedules, plan quarterly treatment planning meetings and maintain communication between the student, family and the WB treatment team.

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This program is associated with...

Westbrook Preparatory School

Westbrook Preparatory School is the first residential New York State Regents junior/senior high school for students with a classification of Autism, Other Health Impairment, or Emotional Disability and related conditions. Read More

Success Stories

Ross’ Story

Westbrook Preparatory School

“I’m actually different from many people with Asperger’s in that I’m a very social guy” Learn More

Westbrook Prep Helps Sam Build a Brighter Future

"I may have Asperger's, but Asperger's doesn't have me." Learn More

Children in our NYC shelters had a

96%

attendance rate at NYC DOE schools

96%

of 12th graders in Family Foster Care graduated high school; 61% are enrolled in post-secondary education

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