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Program At TCC Zeroes In On Autistic Students

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ARLINGTON (CBS11) – A new program at Tarrant County College's Southeast Campus in Arlington is out to shatter all taboos associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The college has created specialized coursework to help adult students develop the necessary social and communication skills to allow them to be successful in a college setting or in the workplace.

"What we focus on are life skills. We focus on expanding these people's minds," said professor Christopher Templeton. "I can bridge the gap between their world and our world."

The students are all adult-age and the severity of their diagnosis varies.

Peter Quail, a 20-year-old student said, "I find it quite entertaining especially learning about things I didn't know about."

Templeton says the biggest joy he takes is when his students become success stories.

"All I can think about is when these people get a job or if they live their life and get the dreams that they always wanted," said Tempelton.

TCC Autism Program
TCC autism program (CBS11)

Tarrant County College has been running this program for two semesters now and Dr. Carrie Tunson who heads up the department says it has become very popular.

"The whole idea is for them to accept their autism spectrum," said Dr. Tunson.

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