School of the Arts
Neurodiversity Programming
Connect With Community
At AEC’s School of the Arts, everyone has a voice. Diversity and inclusion is the norm as people of all abilities fully engage with life through quality learning and creative expression. Our day program for neurodiverse adults empowers members to pursue personal interests and assures caregivers that their loved ones are practicing essential life skills in a safe environment. The School of the Arts campus is located in Fort Mill, SC and serves members from across York County including York and Fort Mill.
Who We Serve
School of the Arts is a day program for neurodiverse adults. It primarily engages young adults who are interested in transitional, art-based programming beyond high school. Most members live at home and choose to remain active in meaningful activities and community life. People enjoy membership in a short- or long-term capacity, depending on employment status and family needs.
We see an average of 60 members per day – some are with us all week, others choose to come one or three days a week.
Members are primarily English speaking, and other languages are represented.
Qualifiers for Membership
Candidates for High5 membership include those who:
- Can participate in a small group setting
- Do not display verbally or physically aggressive behavior
- Need minimal assistance with ADL tasks
- Do not need 1:1 assistance
Hours & Schedule
High5 School of the Arts is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm.
Program hours are as follows: AM Unit: 7:30 am – 12:30 pm | PM Unit: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm.
Members can choose their days of attendance and are encouraged to participate in a full schedule of learning and socialization activities.
- Arrival: 7:30 am – 9:00 am
- Programming: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Lunch: 11:00 am
- Programming: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- Free Time/Departure: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Group and individual activities are offered daily and vary by type and theme depending on member interests. Participation is encouraged but not required. Every member is assigned a role weekly to encourage self-sufficiency, responsibility, and accountability.
Our Curriculum
School of the Arts programming is hands-on, experiential and intended to encourage “adulting” as well as creativity, while fostering confidence, independence and a sense of community. Central to the School of the Arts experience will be the Inclusive Table, a collaborative teaching and demonstration kitchen designed to help neurodiverse individuals:
- Build functional success skills for life
- Foster independence
- Bolster confidence
- Boost self expression
- Increase knowledge of nutrition
- Promote healthy living
- Enhance employment skills
- Strengthen relationships
As part of our core curriculum, we will teach safe food handling, proper washing and storing of food, food preparation skills, basic cooking techniques, and focus on nutrition.
Auxiliary programming invites visual and performing arts groups, culinary arts professionals, healthy living practitioners, entrepreneurs, teachers, artists and other local creatives to our campus. Through these partnerships, members engage in hands-on, minds-in initiatives, such as a chef-in-residence program, food-fun workshops, classes, gardening projects, events, enrichment activities, and demonstrations.
Meals
Transportation
Monitoring & Support
Membership Fee
Applicants deemed eligible for a Waiver by the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) participate in High5 programming and receive transportation services at no charge to individuals or families. Those who do not qualify may pay for programming privately.
School of the Arts membership ranges from $500 to $1,700 per month depending on the number of days/month enrolled.
- Bronze Service, 1 day/week: $500 monthly
- Silver Service, Up to 3 days/week: $1,000 monthly
- Gold Service, Up to 5 days/week: $1,700 monthly
Assistant Director
Meet Lydia
Originally from Hilton Head Island, Lydia is a proud South Carolinian. As a teenager, she took care of her grandparents – both bilateral amputees – every afternoon after school. There were no adult day care facilities in her community and home health was limited; the responsibility of care was up to Lydia’s family. She developed a love of caregiving and intense respect for people of all abilities at a young age and, in alignment with her passion, earned her degree in Physical Therapy from South University. Lydia has been a vital member of the AEC team since 2009.
Licensure & Audits
High5 is licensed through the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) and undergoes an annual audit for license renewal. The audit consists of ensuring that fire safety inspections are performed, administrative processes are in order, and member involvement is noted in the plan of care.
Neurodiversity Programming
105 Lestina Court
Fort Mill, SC 29715
Fort Mill, SC
- Phone
- 803.327.7448
- Fax
- 803.327.7468
- Address
- 105 Lestina Court • Fort Mill, SC 29715
