Kudos to Harper for special needs enrichment classes

My job, as a father of a son with autism, is to advocate for him and all special needs young adults, who after high school either graduate or stay in a high school adult transition program until age 22, then fall into the “black hole.”

Special needs students can be in a school system up to age 22, but if they cannot survive in a college classroom yet are more capable than a person who enters a day program, there is not a bright future for job training opportunities and learning the skills to live independently on their own in this state.

Harper College is offering new enrichment classes for special needs young adults, on top of the cooking classes they already have. If that is successful, additional classes will follow and more vocational opportunities will be available through Harper's Career Foundations program.

These educational opportunities will not require state help and will be self-supported by parent tuition and hopefully corporate donations in the future. This is an opportunity to not give up on the potential of special needs children to be productive and contributing adults.

As a special needs parent who is fighting to provide a future for my son, I thank Harper for their commitment to the special needs community and for offering more help than I would ever imagine, especially in a state that has failed them.

If any special needs parents would like more information, please contact Harper College Continuing Education Department, email me at mbaker721@comcast.net, or visit the Autism Awareness booth at our next fundraising event.

The Schaumburg Autism Society, Autism Speaks and the Hoffman Estates High School Best Buddies will hold Cupcakes and a Cause, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 7 in the Hoffman Estates High School cafeteria to raise money for autism awareness, Special Olympics and the Best Buddies programs at the high school.

Mike Baker

Schaumburg Autism Society