TUCSON, Ariz.
Like most young adults her age, 19-year-old Sara Goralnik wants one thing: a life outside the watchful eyes of her parents.
“I just want my independence,” said Goralnik, a Phoenix native. “My mom and dad have always hovered over me.”
They’ve had reason, according to Goralnik’s mom, Cynthia: Sara is one of an estimated 1.5 million Americans diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and the first time she tried to navigate college life, “the independence was overwhelming to her.”
Thanks to a groundbreaking new residential program in Tucson, however, students such as Goralnik will have better chance of success.
Chapel Haven West, a two-year residential program for young adults with autism spectrum disorders, launched June 30 in partnership with the University of Arizona.
The 16 students in the program will be integrated on the campus in a number of ways, but the biggest connection is with the department of speech, language and hearing sciences.
