The Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC) held its annual graduation ceremony for transition program students last Thursday, June 18.
The center’s transition program lasts two to three years and prepares students, aged 18 to 22, afflicted with autism, speech and language impairment, and other disabilities, to get jobs, participate in the community, and live independently.
The Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC) held its annual graduation ceremony for transition program students last Thursday, June 18.
The center’s transition program lasts two to three years and prepares students, aged 18 to 22, afflicted with autism, speech and language impairment, and other disabilities, to get jobs, participate in the community, and live independently.
“We have a lot of students that are very veryvery capable of blending in with the community, and I think the best way that we show that is taking them into the community and teaching them the typical behaviors of people in society,” said Cara Castillo, transition program para-professional. “Our students learn very quickly; they pick it up and they love to be out and about.”
As a para-professional, Castillo served as a classroom aide as well as a one-on-one mentor. Castillo and the other aides helped their students with their school work and accompanied them on off-campus activities, such as job training at local businesses. Some transition program graduates have even gotten employed by the businesses where they trained.
“[The students] were started off with more simple tasks [at the businesses] but they’ve just grown and are given the same tasks [the business] would give its regular employees,” Castillo said.
In her eight years at SLDC, Castillo has seen many graduation ceremonies. This year’s promotion, for her, stood out.
“I’ve been here for eight years so I’ve watched this graduating class grow up so it was special for me more than the others have been,” Castillo said.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the ceremony was when each graduate gave a speech verbally, using sign language, or with the help of a communication device.
“[My favorite part of the ceremony was] my speech when I gave it,” said graduate Richard C., a SLDC student of 10 years. “A lot of people helped me over the years with my reading and I’ve come a long way with my reading.”
For Richard, the road to graduation day was not always an easy one. After an accident left him with brain trauma, his teachers and peers at SLDC along with his family helped him start anew. Richard used his speech as an opportunity to thank all those who helped him along the way, including his mother who was diagnosed with cancer.
“She found out she had cancer three years ago and it was really hard for me because I thought she was going to pass and my dad was never around so I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Richard said. “I really thank her for always being there for me and supporting me.”
After each graduate gave their speech, they received a certificate of completion along with certificates from the California State Assembly and Senate. Their teachers were also there and turned their tassels from right to left.
“In fact I have a profile picture of that moment [on social media],” said graduate Tim F., SLDC student of 13 years. “I was feeling really accomplished actually and proud too.”
In addition to being the only student in his class to earn his high school diploma, Tim was also selected to give the farewell address to his classmates. For Tim, SLDC has given him a sense of preparedness to live independently and participate in his community. He lives with a roommate in his own apartment and recently earned his driver’s license.
“[SLDC] is a shelter that accepts you for who you are and it’s really motivating and it gives you the tools to succeed,” Tim said. “All you need to do is work with them and there’s endless possibilities almost.”
The Speech and Language Development Center is located at 8699 Holder St. and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
