In beginning the college search for students on the autism spectrum, it is helpful to know that there are many colleges and universities in this country that offer a wide range of services and supports to meet the unique needs of students with autism. However, it is important to remember that the amount of research and effort to find the best college fit can often be significant. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that a student must research the typical aspects of a school such as location, cost, areas of study, etc. as well as researching the disability services provided by the school. Each school must meet basic federal requirements in providing services to students with disabilities. Here is a link to information about the Section 504 as it pertains to post-secondary education.
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html
Knowing what to expect from a disabilities office at a particular college is a good start. Many schools, however, offer quite robust services for students with autism. Finding the right fit for you is the main focus, and this will start with being aware of what your particular needs will be both academically and social/emotionally. One way to prepare for the college search, in addition to understanding the laws that pertain to you, is to spend time understanding existing research on creating successful transitions to college. The link below has some great information as a way to explore what parents and students should be thinking about and working on to prepare for a successful transition.
http://iancommunity.org/ssc/autism-transition-to-adulthood
After building up a knowledge base of a student’s rights at college, as well as a knowledge base of the skills that are necessary for a successful transition to college outside of academics, it is then possible to begin to explore specific colleges that will be a good fit for the student. This is an important part of a student’s life, and doing the homework necessary to support a student in making the best choices possible for college is critical to a successful experience.
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html
Knowing what to expect from a disabilities office at a particular college is a good start. Many schools, however, offer quite robust services for students with autism. Finding the right fit for you is the main focus, and this will start with being aware of what your particular needs will be both academically and social/emotionally. One way to prepare for the college search, in addition to understanding the laws that pertain to you, is to spend time understanding existing research on creating successful transitions to college. The link below has some great information as a way to explore what parents and students should be thinking about and working on to prepare for a successful transition.
http://iancommunity.org/ssc/autism-transition-to-adulthood
After building up a knowledge base of a student’s rights at college, as well as a knowledge base of the skills that are necessary for a successful transition to college outside of academics, it is then possible to begin to explore specific colleges that will be a good fit for the student. This is an important part of a student’s life, and doing the homework necessary to support a student in making the best choices possible for college is critical to a successful experience.
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