Explore Areas of Support: KAP Circle of Support

KAP Circle of Support has an agreement with WKU Residence Life to provide a single dorm room for the price of a shared dorm room. Participants are housed within many residence halls on campus. There is not a specific residence hall for KAP participants. KAP conducts trainings on Autism Spectrum Disorders with Housing and Residence Life to help educate housing staff members on the needs of our participants.

KAP's Circle of Support offers structured study table sessions five days a week to promote academic success and enhance executive functioning skills. These sessions are individually scheduled around each participant's class timetable and are available from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The study tables are staffed by trained tutors who provide personalized support in executive functioning skills, including organization, time management, planning, prioritization, and study strategies. Additionally, they offer tutoring in specific academic subjects. Tutors are recruited from a range of academic majors to match the diverse coursework and learning needs of participants in the Circle of Support. All tutors receive specialized training in evidence-based strategies to support neurodiverse college students and are mentored by KAP's full-time professional staff. 
Tutoring is available through one-on-one and small-group sessions, allowing participants to receive tailored academic assistance while also building confidence, independence, and effective learning strategies. Beyond direct academic support, KAP tutors and staff help participants connect with campus resources, including the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC), the Advising and Career Development Center, and the WKU Counseling and Testing Center. This ensures students have access to a comprehensive network of support, promoting both academic achievement and overall well-being.

Through mentoring, participants in the Circle of Support program receive guidance, encouragement, and support from professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities of college life. In addition, campus and community members collaborate with students to help them develop self-advocacy skills, build confidence, set goals, network, and overcome obstacles both inside and outside the classroom. Mentoring activities focus on academic success, time management, communication skills, health and wellness, social connections, campus involvement, career planning, philanthropic work, and personal growth. 

KAP's Circle of Support Student Advisory Board comprises participants who apply and are selected for their leadership potential, commitment to the program, and desire to serve as positive peer role models. Advisory Board members provide valuable feedback and recommendations to the KAP team to help guide program development and ensure that participant perspectives are represented. They also plan and host evening and weekend social connection events for all participants that encourage relationship-building and create engaging opportunities for students to spend time with one another in relaxed, supportive environments. By serving as both leaders and peers, Student Advisory Board members strengthen the sense of community within Circle of Support and help fellow participants build lasting friendships while connecting with students who understand and support their college experience.

Participants in KAP Circle of Support are invited to attend weekly Social Connection events that foster friendships, promote a sense of belonging, and encourage meaningful engagement. These events feature both on-campus activities and community outings. In addition to the events organized by KAP team members, the Student Advisory Board plans and hosts evening and weekend Social Connection events each semester. These peer-led activities create additional opportunities for participants to connect with fellow students in relaxed and welcoming environments.

Most Social Connection events are offered free of charge. Occasionally, an event may have a small participation fee, such as for admission or a meal, but attendance is always optional. Past activities have included cooking socials, holiday celebrations, trips to WKU athletic events and campus theater productions, visits to the planetarium, music playlist creation, board and video games, hiking, group workouts, arts and crafts, interest-based gatherings, and dining at local restaurants. This variety of activities ensures that participants with diverse interests have opportunities to engage in meaningful ways.

KAP team members and Student Advisory Board members regularly seek input from current participants when planning future Social Connection events. By incorporating student feedback and interests into the event calendar, the Circle of Support program can offer a diverse selection of activities each semester, so that every participant can find opportunities—whether weekly or monthly—to connect, engage, and explore.

KAP Circle of Support offers participants access to licensed mental health counselors who provide both individual and group counseling services in a supportive, student-centered environment. Counseling sessions are tailored to meet each student's unique needs, and participants can schedule appointments on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. The focus of mental health counseling is on promoting emotional well-being, building resilience, and helping students develop effective coping strategies for managing the academic, social, and personal challenges of college life.

Counselors work collaboratively with students to address various concerns, including stress, anxiety, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, relationship challenges, and overall wellness. The goal is to support Circle of Support participants in maintaining an optimal level of functioning so they can fully engage in the opportunities college has to offer, while becoming the healthiest, most confident, and most successful versions of themselves.

Every participant in the KAP Circle of Support is assigned a dedicated KAP advisor who meets with them weekly. These advisors are full-time professionals on the KAP team and act as consistent points of contact throughout the student's college journey. Weekly advising sessions offer opportunities to discuss personal concerns related to academics, social experiences, extracurricular activities, and overall adjustment to college life. Advisors also provide coaching in essential executive functioning skills, such as prioritization, time management, organization, study strategies, and goal setting.

In addition to improve support, KAP advisors have extensive knowledge of available campus and community resources. They work to connect participants with services that can enhance their success, including academic support, accessibility services, career development resources, counseling services, and community opportunities.

The KAP Circle of Support team embraces an open-door philosophy that encourages collaboration and communication throughout the academic day. Advisor offices are only closed during private meetings, and clear visual signage indicates when advisors are available for conversation and support. This welcoming approach helps participants feel comfortable seeking assistance, asking questions, and building strong relationships with the KAP team.

The KAP Circle of Support program is dedicated to providing a neuro-affirming and sensory-friendly environment. The Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex, which houses KAP, features quiet study areas, dedicated sensory rooms for relaxation and self-regulation, filtered lighting, low-noise zones, hydration stations, and various flexible seating options to meet individual preferences. Visual supports, clear signage, organizational tools, fidget items,  and structured schedules help students navigate their day with confidence while fostering independence and executive functioning skills. Students are encouraged to utilize sensory supports, take breaks as needed, and access a wide range of resources in a supportive, judgment-free environment.