FAQ

GENERAL

How do I know if Tech Kids Unlimited is the right fit for my student?

Tech Kids Unlimited is designed for children ages 7-21 years of age who have been diagnosed with cognitive, learning, and emotional disabilities such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder, Anxiety, OCD, Executive Processing and Dyslexia. Students don’t need any previous tech knowledge to attend. TKU students usually attend private schools for students with disabilities, are home-schooled, go to non-public schools as well as the NYC Department of Education’s ASD NEST program. Most students have an IEP or a 504 Plan. Students should be able to function in a classroom-like environment and work mostly independently. Most of our students have a medium to high level of both receptive and expressive language with little to no behavioral issues. Most students come from a 12:1:1 classroom environment or a 8:1:1 classroom environment. We are not able to provide 1:1 help for students online at this time. TKU is not specifically trained in working with students who are nonverbal. However, in the virtual setting, we have seen them be successful with at home help. At TKU, we understand that students will need additional help and support, and we have staff to make sure they can succeed.

Do you offer financial aid?

Yes, we offer financial aid. You can fill out the financial aid form via our financial aid page.

Can you explain the language used on the website?

TKU would like to address the different types of language you might see about disability on our website. Most often, TKU prefers to use the terms "neurodiverse" and "students who learn differently" to describe students in our programs. TKU uses these terms to be inclusive of all of the different types of neurological diversity within our student community. We also prefer these terms because of their association with the Neurodiversity Rights Movement, a disability civil rights movement that recognizes autism and other neurodevelopmental differences as a normal part of human diversity. You can read more about neurodiversity in the context of education here or watch a short video about it here. At TKU, we understand that every individual has preferences about how they prefer to describe themselves and their identity, and we respect those individual preferences in our programs.

You may also see a mixture of other words that are used to describe learners who are welcome at TKU, including both identity-first language (e.g. "autistic students") or person-first language (e.g. "students with special needs" or "students with disabilities" or "students with ADHD") on our site. This is because we want to ensure that folks outside of our community can find TKU and get involved in our programs, and sometimes the language we prefer within our communities is inconsistent with the language used by larger groups like school systems, grant-making foundations, and government service providers who may use more clinical language for the purpose of clarity.

VIRTUAL SUMMER

What is the refund policy for Summer virtual workshops?

- Requests for a full refund will be granted if requested before June 1, 2021 at 12 AM.
- Requests for a refund after June 1, 2021 at 12 AM and 2 weeks before each workshop will receive 50% of the amount paid.
- Requests for a refund later than 2 weeks before the workshop starts will not be granted.- Medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances may be considered.
- If there are circumstances where TKU feels the program is not the right fit for your student (ie: bullying of other students, inability to follow along even after extensive social worker intervention) you will be refunded for remaining days your student doesn’t attend.

What are the times of the workshops?

The morning workshops are from 9 AM - 11:30 AM EST. The afternoon workshops are from 1 PM - 3:30 PM EST. Please note the Eastern Standard Times. You can absolutely still join if you are in another part of the country...or world!

What system will you use to host summer virtual workshops?

We will be using the software Zoom for all virtual (online) workshops. Students should install Zoom onto their computers prior to the start of workshops and regularly install updates. Zoom is safe and private via multiple settings we have in place. In addition, TKU uses an NYU account which is very secure. An email with instructions on how to download Zoom and the Zoom address will be sent prior to the start date of each workshop.

Is a computer required to join the workshops?

A computer (MAC or PC) is highly recommended to fully experience the workshop and receive all its benefits. Joining on an iPad or similar device will limit the students' capabilities to use the software we will be teaching, however, they will still be able to join.

Does my child have to be on video?

It is not a requirement to be on video. However, we encourage all students to be on video. Aside from teaching technology skills, we want to provide a way for students to stay connected to each other and The TKU community. If you don't have a webcam for your computer, we'd suggest purchasing one, which you can get for around $20, such as a Logitech webcam. Alternatively, students may join the Zoom meeting using a phone or tablet with their video enabled, and participate in the workshop activities from a computer.

How do I know if a virtual workshop is appropriate for my student?

Students should have basic typing knowledge and be able to navigate their way around a computer (ie: understand how to open up a new browser, type in a URL, point and click, use a mouse, etc).

What is the size of each virtual classroom? How many staff members are there?

Each workshop will remain small with approximately 18-20 students per class. Breakout rooms are utilized to ensure students receive enough attention. Every class will have a master tech teacher, an assistant teacher, and a counselor. There will also be a social worker who will work with each class on social-emotional learning. The social worker will be happy to talk with you on the phone about any issues that might come up during the class time.

GENERAL

VIRTUAL SUMMER

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