East Stroudsburg University Offers Free Online Summer Program

East Stroudsburg University’s Autism Education Center Photo Credit: Newswatch 16

Due to the recent events of COVID-19, East Stroudsburg University is offering free online summer courses for children with autism.

The University’s Autism Education Center is offering virtual programs for children with autism and their siblings to get back into a routine. The Coordinator in the Communication Sciences and Disorders of ESU Autism Education Center named Rachel Chapman told Newswatch 16 that, “Our goal in running this program is part of our… recreation and social networking program at the ESU Autism Education Center, [this] gives kids [an] opportunity to engage in summer activities that they would during a typical summer.“

This center opened in January 2020 and it will be their first time offering a summer program. The ESU Autism Education Center is offering program structure for the student, since many thrive from strict routines.

Chapman told Newswatch 16 that, “This is really our first summer up and running, and of course, it’s very untraditional in the way things are, our quote new normal, so we are really trying to work with that and provide kids with somewhat of a normalcy that they may experience in a summer program would it be in person.”  

Chapman also shared that planning a summer program during a pandemic has been difficult, but they’re determined to offer something to the children to get them back into a routine. This program will allow children to be active, socialize, and learn. The center will have two 4-week sessions starting June 24th and August however, registration has already closed. Their page for the Autism Education Center can be found here at this link.