Growth Achievement Transformation Enrichment - GATE
Our purpose is to help Neurodivergent students become successful independent adults.
- Developing skills through executive function workshops, peer mentorships, and other one-on-one supports.
- Preparing for employment success in career development classes and internship opportunities.
- Learning strategies for self-advocacy, social development, organization, and many other crucial lifelong skills.
GATE was created to serve the Neurodiverse community at ASU. A major focus of the program is development of executive function skills and strategies. Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services in partnership with The T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics and Career Services offers the following support for students.
Program elements:
- Neurodiversity College Success weekly class mandatory fall term for first year and transfer students.
- Career Development weekly class mandatory spring term for first year and transfer students.
- Executive Function Skill Development weekly workshops.
- Peer mentor weekly or biweekly meetings.
- Weekly 1:1 with Coach mandatory.
- Weekly Social Engagement activities - participation in two sessions per term mandatory.
- Social Engagement activities scheduled weekly - participation in two sessions per term or other approved social engagement activities is essential
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity supports the fact that various neurological conditions are the effect of healthy changes in the human genome. It refers to cognitive variations in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions in a non-pathological sense.
Participation in GATE
Applications for GATE are now open. Apply online for the Fall 2025 GATE cohort by completing the GATE application. If you have already submitted an application and need information on the status, please email Adero.Allison@asu.edu with your inquiry.
Criteria
- Must meet the minimum requirements for admission to Arizona State University (application pending or accepted to apply).
- May have a diagnosis of Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified) or non-verbal learning disability are eligible to apply. Students with other forms of learning disabilities or ADHD also may be appropriate for the program.
- Without a diagnosis, but needs to learn executive functioning skills (time management, planning, organization, self monitoring/self control or working memory).
- Must have a strong desire to develop skills through GATE to become more independent and to interact with peers in social, academic and employment settings.
Spring 2024 GATE Program Information Session
Frequently Asked Questions
- The application for the coming fall remains open from November through April. Students may contact the program director at any time during the academic year to discuss program entry and possible start dates other than Fall term.
- Students accepted or with pending applications to ASU
- Students who are neurodivergent with or without a diagnosis who have a need for executive function skill and strategy development
- Students who have a strong desire to participate in GATE and develop skills to become successful independent adults.
- Applications for the 2024-25 Academic Year are in process and will continue until all program slots are filled.
- A new cohort begins each fall.
- Registration for the Neurodiversity College Success and GATE Career Development courses are the only additional cost. Students typically take these courses sequentially in fall and spring terms. There are no additional fees for participation in the program.
- GATE will accept up to 30 new students this fall. Numbers may vary slightly based on the number of continuing students from the current academic year and the availability of coaching staff.
- Students in the Arizona State University GATE program are fully matriculated, degree-seeking Arizona State University students. The only difference is the support our students receive. Students are not segregated in any way from the rest of the university student population.
Student Accessibility services provide equal access to the campus community, such as reasonable accommodations to students, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The GATE Program provides more focused support services in other areas to help students gain the skills to become successful independent adults. These services include working with a Staff Success Coach, Individualized Executive Functioning training, and a Neurodiversity College Success course, specifically designed for this program. First year and some Sophomore class will be registered for a credit course that meets weekly throughout the first year of participation. Further information on this course will be provided before the semester to allow participants to schedule classes accordingly.
*Important note: The GATE Program is housed under the umbrella of the Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services (SAILS) office. Students who enroll in GATE are not required to enroll in Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services to participate but will need to do so if accommodations are needed. For more information, please contact:
Adero Allison, PhD
Assistant Director
adero.allison@asu.edu
What are the Benefits of Participation?
Learn more
On Monday, March 20, ASU hosted the first Neurodiversity College Panel discussion with Dr. Kerry Magro. Dr. Magro, who identifies as having autism, shared his experience and facilitated a discussion with college students about their experiences seeking higher education while addressing the challenges of a world built for other learning styles. This panel was insightful and offered ideas for how to make colleges more accessible to a segment of our population often forgotten in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) discussions.