OPTIONS Transitions to Independence

Optimizing Potential Through Individualized, Ongoing Nurtured Successes

Discover a World of Independence

OPTIONS (Optimizing Potential Through Individualized Ongoing Nurtured Successes) offers a comprehensive boarding program for post-secondary students with learning disabilities, attention disorders, language-based disorders, and/or executive functioning deficits. We service students who need to further develop their independent living, social, employment, and academic skills through individualized instruction and assistance. With the help of OPTIONS instructors, Independent Living Counselors, and specialized academic coaches, our students are successfully guided through speech and language courses, core academic strategies, college preparation and participation, social strategies, employment readiness classes, and community-based internships. As students transition through the program’s phases, they acquire and refine the tools necessary for an independent life.

Our Mission

Empower students with learning disabilities and differences to recognize and optimize their potential throughout their lives.

Foster a family environment where the educational, social, health, wellness, and emotional needs of each student are addressed through a focused, holistic program.

Create partnerships among students, administration, faculty, staff, parents, the board, alumni, researchers and the professional community.

Core Areas of Focus:

OUR MISSION IS BACKED BY THESE FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS:

EMPOWERMENT:

Equipping our students for post-secondary education and beyond.

INTEGRITY:

Upholding the highest ethical standards in our educational services.

INTERACTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING:

Employing tailored strategies for effective solutions.

ONGOING, OPEN COMMUNICATION:

Maintaining transparent dialogues among all stakeholders.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

Continual training and upgrading of faculty skills.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

A focus on incremental advancements in both academic and boarding school offerings.

FINANCIAL STABILITY:

Ensuring the sustainability of our specialized education programs.

SAFETY:

A secure environment is paramount for student growth and learning.

 

We find being a partner in the OPTIONS Internship Program very rewarding. The students we have worked with over the years have all proven to be hard-working, enthusiastic and willing to take on new challenges out of their comfort zone to help them grow as young adults.

BRAD PALMER

WSIU Public Radio WSIU Public Radio

Fostering A Family Atmosphere

We address the educational, social, wellness, and emotional needs of each student in a family-like environment.

Fostering A Family Atmoshere

We address the educational, social, wellness, and emotional needs of each student in a family-like environment.

Meet Our Staff:

Our faculty and staff live the OPTIONS mission daily. Their specialized expertise, compassion, and active participation in the campus community enrich our programs.

Campus Location

Nestled against the backdrop of Shawnee National Forest, our campus is within walking distance of Southern Illinois University and close to myriad enrichment opportunities in Carbondale.

Campus Location

Nestled against the backdrop of Shawnee National Forest, our campus is within walking distance of Southern Illinois University and close to myriad enrichment opportunities in Carbondale.

Understanding Learning Disabilities

OPTIONS recognizes the combined effects of learning disabilities (LD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), language-based processing issues, executive function issues, and the social and psychological implications of struggling to find success in an academic environment.

OPTIONS focuses on direct interventions for students with a range of challenges, including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and nonverbal learning disabilities.

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