My son Jack has significant social difficulties and executive function issues, but he is an excellent student. He was admitted to highly selective colleges including Reed, Oberlin, and UC Davis. He chose to go to Willamette because it offered an unparalleled level of support and a warm, friendly environment. Despite that, and despite special attention from the disabilities office, the dean of students and his advisor, Jack had a difficult time in college. He made no friends and became increasingly isolated and depressed. Although he completed the year and got good grades, his doctors recommended that he not return because of the toll it took on his mental and physical health.
We were at a complete loss about what Jack’s future should be when his therapist recommended that we look into the Aspen Network. Jack has been at the house for two months now, and the results have been beyond anything we could have hoped for. He is happy for the first time in years. He has friends and enjoys spending time with the other residents of the house. He attends class regularly and is doing well with the executive function support of the staff tutors. He participates willingly in the group sessions and weekend activities. His social skills, self-awareness and independent living skills are improving every day. I feel comfortable that he is being well looked after, but that the expectations for him are high.
I feel so blessed that we found Aspen Network. With their help, we feel confident that eventually Jack will be able to live on his own, finish his degree at Willamette, and enjoy a healthy and productive life. Without Aspen Network, I honestly don’t know what would have become of him.
NC / Piedmont, California
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My son’s life (and ours) changed dramatically after he started attending the Aspen Network Program. He now smiles, he laughs, and he is a different person. He also has a direction. Meg, Mike, and their fantastic staff have helped him learn to communicate better. He has more self-esteem and his attitude is positive. We are incredibly grateful parents!
G and J / Danville, California
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We had been searching for some much needed support for our son who has Asperger’s, and this program has truly been an answer to our prayers. He was able to learn problem-solving skills, confront some of his fears, and make friends that he truly cares for. His experience in the program has helped him to be more successful in school and at work, as well as have the confidence to build friendships outside of the Aspen. Overall, this program has not just touched our son’s life for the better but ours as well.
S and S / Raleigh, North Carolina
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I cannot recommend Meg and Michael’s summer camp highly enough. My son lived in his room for three years and was unreachable and very depressed. Before camp, Dr. Meg reached out and found a way to connect with him. She enfolded him into her family of the camp support team. She drew him out of his room, and he begrudgingly went to camp. Every day I expected a phone call asking him to be picked up. But he never called! He stayed the entire time and came back a new young man, confident and empowered. He made friends and gained a tremendous understanding of his ASD diagnosis. For the first time in many years, my son was able to go back to college. He never returned to his shell. Thank you, Meg!
VK / Oakland, California
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The Aspen Network helped my son when he needed it most! It made him stronger and more self-accepting of his condition than I could have imagined. It is a very well thought-out, complete program that’s not only full of fun activities but has lasting measurable effects. If you are looking for a place that understands children and young adults on the spectrum from all the different perspectives, and is run by an experienced staff, then you have come across the right place. A very caring and understanding, safe environment coupled with a driven staff who are determined to enrich each child’s potential by giving him the tools and understanding he needs to do so. I highly recommend Aspen Network and its support groups and commend them on the positive impact they are having on so many lives. They are truly doing an amazing job!
PC / Pacifica, California
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Dr. Fields is warm, lively, funny, and very wise about ASD. Her gift is that she really knows how to bring out the best in every ASD youth that she encounters. It’s magic. I’ve witnessed more miracles of change and growth in her campers than I could possibly list.
Valerie Keim, M.Ed.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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Caring, wise, and resourceful—that’s how I’d describe the Aspen Team staff. My 18 and 20 year olds are terrific, and they still have some growing up to do. Living at home or living in a college dorm are not great options for them at this time. Meg, Mike, and their team provide an engaging, accountable home where my children are learning to thrive.
DSJ / Friant, California
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Aspen Network’s beneficial impact on our son’s life has been profound, and the relationships he’s developed continue to provide an important support for him. Before Aspen Team Camp he had never been away from home overnight — now he can’t wait to go each year. His world has expanded exponentially as a result of this program. Meg and Michael are passionate about the future of this community and continuously work to find ways for everyone to achieve and build on even the smallest successes.
DM / Alameda, California
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Meg Fields is a thought leader at the forefront of the emerging field of creating life-long support services for high functioning ASD. Watch her career. She is a trailblazer for the ASD community.
KJ / Walnut Creek, California
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Team living has provided an environment where our daughter can connect with others that accept her and she enjoys being around. I like to say that our daughter found her “peeps,” but it’s really so much more. She is learning about herself and living with others. She is contributing to a group and feeling good about what she is able to give to others in the house. I see this program as a very positive step towards independent living for our daughter.
KT / San Ramon, California
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Meg and the whole Aspen Team truly help the Asperger’s Camp community feel hope and connectedness. It’s such a pleasure to see our son valued for who he is and challenged to become a part of something bigger than our immediate family. Huge kudos to Aspen Team for their hearts and expertise.
JW / Sacramento, California
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I have been so relieved to have found Meg and Mike and the Aspen Network team. The group house is a wonderful and unique setting for my daughter to master the skills to become an independent young adult and to work as a member of a team.
HS / Castro Valley, California
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Participating in Meg and Mike Fields’ summer camps along with meeting Meg for one-on-one therapy has changed my daughter’s life in so many positive ways. She is now ready, willing, and able to take on new and difficult challenges.
TS and PS / Piedmont, California
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I never would have believed that my son could stop his gaming addiction, make friends, and enjoy camping in the mountains. Meg Fields’ summer program did all of this, and so much more. Thank you Meg and staff!
DS / Danville, California
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I want you to know how deeply appreciative we are of what you have done for our son. We have seen a marked difference in his behavior . . . calmer . . . more self-confident and more socially appropriate. He would like to return and we think it would be greatly beneficial for him.
HR / San Francisco, California
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My daughter struggled for years with anxiety, depression, and executive function deficits, and finally had to drop out of her highly selective college after one semester. We tried everything to help her: all kinds of therapy, medications, neurofeedback, and finally an expensive wilderness program. . . after which she seemed on the verge of disappearing into psychosis. Guided by serendipity, we found Aspen Network. Meg somehow saw my daughter’s struggles and knew she could help. Aspen gave my daughter a refuge where she could begin to heal and gather her strength, and they supported her in college classes and volunteer work so that she could begin, again, the normal young adult journey of finding out who she is and who she wants to be in the world. Meg, Liz, and the entire team are thoughtful, curious, loving, collaborative, and always willing to think out of the box. Their creative, caring support saved our whole family.
Parent / University Professor