T-STEP Frequently Asked Questions
The T-STEP is a community college class supporting the transition to adulthood for 16–21-year-old students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The T-STEP is a collaboration with the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program, the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NCDVRS), North Carolina community colleges, and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
- Twice weekly class (1 ½ hour for each class period) including group discussions, role-plays, and workbook activities.
- One-hour meeting for counseling (Self-Advocacy, Higher Education or Career Exploration), with a T-STEP counselor.
- Approximately two hours a week working in their T-STEP internship.
During the summer, the T-STEP is a 6-week program meeting 4 days/week for a total of 12-14 hours per week.
- Goal Achievement Skills – Choosing and working towards an individual’s goals.
- Executive Function Skills – Approaching tasks in an organized manner, time management, and flexibility.
- Emotion Regulation Skills – Coping with stress and accepting corrective feedback.
- Social Skills – Getting help when needed need and professional social skills.
Currently, this program is being offered at Wake Tech Community College (Raleigh), Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte), Pitt Community College (Greenville), Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington), and A-B Tech Community College (Asheville), and Guilford Tech Community College (Greensboro). The T-STEP program will not be offered every semester at each college. Across the next year, the T-STEP will be offered at each of these sites at least once. We cannot guarantee a specific semester for program participants. Please refer any potentially eligible individuals to the T-STEP Program as soon as possible so that we can confirm which colleges will be able to provide the program during the next year.
For more information about the T-STEP Program, please contact us at TSTEPinfo@med.unc.edu