Talisman Academy Opening Next Month!

The opening of the new Talisman Academy is less than six weeks away, say officials with the new program that will serve the growing number of youth with Asperger's and other autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Enrollment is underway as families flock to the specialized school for their children, part of a population of students who had been previously underserved.

"There is a growing need in this country for schools dedicated to young people dealing with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism," said Linda Tatsapaugh, Executive Director. "Our integrated academic and social development program is the ideal place for these kids to learn and excel. We are really excited to open our doors next month."

The first day of school for the youth ages 12-20 is August 23. Classes will be taught by licensed, experienced professionals, and outdoor expeditions that encourage exploration, awareness and self-assurance will be led by a qualified wilderness expert.

The new Talisman Academy is based on the 30-year tradition of its sister programs Talisman Camps and Southeast Journeys that have seen great success with youth with Asperger's and other ASDs. Talisman Summer Camps opened in the summer of 1980 as a small non-profit serving children with ADHD. Through the years, Talisman honed and expanded its services to meet the needs of a changing American population. In 1991, Stone Mountain School, a long-term residential school for boys with a variety of learning disorders and ADHD, branched out of Talisman Programs and is now a leading school in the industry. In 2001, Laura Centers, Talisman's Admissions Director, started a small summer program specifically for students with Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism.

Successes have been measurable. After sessions of just a few weeks, families have noted that their child's communication, self-regulation, and self-esteem improved. Many parents were reluctant to send their children back to their hometown schools that did not serve them in a social environment and often proved painful and harmful for their children.

It was in response to this need that Tatsapaugh and partner John Bassett started an experiential academic semester program, Southeast Journeys, in January of 2007 specifically for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome. This semester-long program was the foundation for the new year-long school, Talisman Academy.

"These children want to be successful," said Tatsapaugh. "They want to be happy, have personal connections, and be active members of their communities. Most of them have been unsuccessful in one or more areas which leads to decreased self-esteem. In school, they have not been treated as individuals, they have not been held to appropriate expectations, and they often missed out on important elements of childhood such as playground socialization or classroom interactions. These are the very reasons we're opening Talisman Academy."

The school will open its doors just in time to meet the needs of an ever-growing population; the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that an average of 1 in 110 children in the U.S. has an Autism spectrum disorder.

"At the Academy, students' abilities are recognized and challenge is a part of daily life," said Molly Shriver-Blake, MSW, Talisman's Program Director. "Potential friends are abundant, as are staff to help coach and guide the socialization process. We have created an ideal environment where confidence is improved, self-regulation and awareness are developed, and memories and relationships are built."

Located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Talisman's Academy's mission will be to inspire personal development, community membership, environmental awareness and academic success. The school will run on a traditional academic calendar, however admissions will be accepted at any point throughout the semesters to accommodate families and professionals who may reach a crossroads within their own school system. For more information about enrollment or other programmatic elements, contact Molly Shriver-Blake at 888-458-8226.

Talisman Academy is a program of Aspen Education Group, the nation's leading provider of therapeutic education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. Aspen's services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic settings such as boarding schools, outdoor behavioral health programs and special needs summer camps, allowing professionals and families the opportunity to choose the best setting to meet a student's unique academic and emotional needs. Aspen Education Group is a proud member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). Aspen also is a member of CRC Health Group, the nation's largest chemical dependency and related behavioral health organization. For over two decades, CRC Health has been achieving successful outcomes for individuals and families. For more information, visit www.crchealth.com.