Positive changes are happening at colleges across the country. There are more and more programs being set up to meet the needs of students with an autism spectrum diagnosis. It is great to see! People are talking about this issue and stepping up to create change. This 2014 article from Forbes is a great example. It talks about a variety of schools that are setting up programs to better support students with ASD. The article also emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit for each student. It makes the excellent point that is worth restating. It is very important to not only know what services a program will provide, but also what they will not provide. In order for this to be meaningful, parents and students should have a list of what the student will need regarding support. No program will meet 100% of a student’s needs. Being aware of the needs of the student a program will not meet, is just as important for success as being aware of the services that will meet the needs of the student.
For example, a student might plan on attending a college where they provide excellent academic support and organizational support to ensure the student is meeting his or her classroom expectations. This may be the main reason why the student chose this school, because of these wonderful supports. But the student might also struggle socially, and may benefit from a mentor to check in with around making connections with other students, clubs, etc. If the college does not provide this service, it might be a situation where a student is keeping up with academics but becoming isolated.
If you find a college that seems like a great fit but does not meet all of the needs of the student, talk to the disabilities office at that college. Find out about services in the community that can meet the student’s needs. If you are dealing with a college or university that has taken the time to set up a program to meet the needs of students with autism, chances are they are familiar with service providers in the community who can work with you to see if the needs of the student can be met. It is certainly worth a try in order to create the best program possible for each student.
For example, a student might plan on attending a college where they provide excellent academic support and organizational support to ensure the student is meeting his or her classroom expectations. This may be the main reason why the student chose this school, because of these wonderful supports. But the student might also struggle socially, and may benefit from a mentor to check in with around making connections with other students, clubs, etc. If the college does not provide this service, it might be a situation where a student is keeping up with academics but becoming isolated.
If you find a college that seems like a great fit but does not meet all of the needs of the student, talk to the disabilities office at that college. Find out about services in the community that can meet the student’s needs. If you are dealing with a college or university that has taken the time to set up a program to meet the needs of students with autism, chances are they are familiar with service providers in the community who can work with you to see if the needs of the student can be met. It is certainly worth a try in order to create the best program possible for each student.
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