Kids with ASD and college experiences

[Anonymous]

If you've sent a kid with ASD to college, what aspects of the school or program or living situation were important to making it work (or alternately, what didn't work)?

We're starting to think about a list of colleges to visit for our HS junior, who has autism. I'm very interested in finding a "good fit" but having trouble identifying what that might be. DS has good grades, excellent test scores, and is particularly strong in history and English. He is very introverted and doesn't have much success connecting with peers. He has recurring episodes of depression connected to his ASD and social challenges.

I had been thinking a small liberal arts college close to home might be a good choice, but the people I know who thrived at SLACs tended to be very social and get a lot of pleasure from friendships/community. Would that environment be very isolating for someone atypical?

[Anonymous]

I’m a professor at a public university that is STEM focused. In the last 10 years I have noticed a significant increase in ASD students. This semester, I have 3 students that receive accommodations and have disclosed their disability to me. One student also disclosed that they also have bipolar disorder. The students seem to benefit from a large university (student support resources) and don’t seem overwhelmed or isolated.

[Anonymous]

My autistic child is only in 9th grade, but I have similar concerns. I've found this Facebook page to be helpful: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsofcollegeboundstudentswithld/?ref=share

[Anonymous]

Pay attention to dining halls if they have sensory issues with food or if they easily get overwhelmed by crowds. Having a grab and go option and/or takeout containers is nice if they want to eat alone or move to a more comfortable spot.

[Anonymous]

My senior with autism is applying only to SLACs. She simply couldn’t navigate a large university but I do worry about being an odd man out among a group of socially savvy kids. Gosh I hope there are other introverts AJ’s socially awkward kids at those schools. If not she’ll be transferring.

[Anonymous]

My son with ASD went to a state engineering school in the Midwest. The Midwest seemed more kind/accepting to people in the Midwest. His major was also a major that stereotypically leans ASD. The things that helped were taking part in the freshman week before school started and finding the game club. He had a great experience and made a great group of friends (unlike in HS).

The things that helped him be ready for college was taking part in a weekly social skills group from 4-12th grade, being in scouts and the orchestra as well as being active in our congregation’s youth group both in our home congregation and in a district wide version of our denomination. Having those frequent social encounters helped considerably- even though he did not form close friendships.

[Anonymous]

Are there ASD girls that anyone can speak to their experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there ASD girls that anyone can speak to their experience?

Yes, I have an Aspergers/ADHD/anxiety daughter. She struggled all four years even with support from her state school disability services. In retrospect, she should have taken a gap year. We underestimated how difficult the transition would be for her. Unlike the professor above, several of DD’s professors never even read the accommodations that she was entitled to and later tried to punish her for using a computer in class to take notes (this was six years ago) and didn’t give her extra time on papers. She had to go to Disability services which then educated the professor as to what the professor was supposed to be doing instead of acting in a punitive manner. We did have DD sign the Privacy act waiver so we could go to Disability services and advocate for her when she collapsed. The schools’ Disability services offices are only as good as the director heading it (we went through three changes) and the degree to which they will advocate with professors when an issue comes up. Also, if you haven’t had recent testing done within the last three years, the college or university will ask you to do it again. At the time we looked at colleges we used a book that reviewed the disability services at each college. It would be obsolete niw but I imagine there are now many available on Amazon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a professor at a public university that is STEM focused. In the last 10 years I have noticed a significant increase in ASD students. This semester, I have 3 students that receive accommodations and have disclosed their disability to me. One student also disclosed that they also have bipolar disorder. The students seem to benefit from a large university (student support resources) and don’t seem overwhelmed or isolated.

+1 on the STEM focused. DS is at a < 20,000 student university that is STEM focused. Consider applying into the honors college. Look at "special interest" housing. Having an opportunity to live with like-minded students right outside one's dorm door is such a plus on the socializing, dining, studying, front. So far he is having a great experience and made a nice group of friends (much more welcoming than in HS). Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I went to a SLAC ages ago and I would guess that many of my classmates would now be diagnosed somewhere in thr spectrum. There definitely was a sporty, social crowd but then there were tons of other smaller groups that had quirky interests and bonded. I would think the size alone would be conducive. Our youngest has ASD and is incredibly bright but I worry her lack of communication skills won’t allow her to go to conventional schools. If she improves i will definitely be encouraging SLACs.

[Anonymous]

I know kids with ASD who have been successful at Adelphi: https://www.adelphi.edu/news/adelphi-named-one-of-americas-top-50-disability-friendly-colleges-and-universities/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a professor at a public university that is STEM focused. In the last 10 years I have noticed a significant increase in ASD students. This semester, I have 3 students that receive accommodations and have disclosed their disability to me. One student also disclosed that they also have bipolar disorder. The students seem to benefit from a large university (student support resources) and don’t seem overwhelmed or isolated.

Thank you for this. That is great to hear.

[Anonymous]

12:06 back. To OP - in making your decision weigh in the fact that your DD may have to take an extra year or two to finish. Ours got a reduced schedule of classes, but, those have to be made up. It took her six years to finish, five full on campus and one distance class during Covid at night while she was working full-time. If you pick an expensive SLAC, you may have another $160K (some slacs are now $84K a year). We went in-state so it was easier but still ultimately expensive. But she finished and got her degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a professor at a public university that is STEM focused. In the last 10 years I have noticed a significant increase in ASD students. This semester, I have 3 students that receive accommodations and have disclosed their disability to me. One student also disclosed that they also have bipolar disorder. The students seem to benefit from a large university (student support resources) and don’t seem overwhelmed or isolated.

+1 on the STEM focused. DS is at a < 20,000 student university that is STEM focused. Consider applying into the honors college. Look at "special interest" housing. Having an opportunity to live with like-minded students right outside one's dorm door is such a plus on the socializing, dining, studying, front. So far he is having a great experience and made a nice group of friends (much more welcoming than in HS). Best of luck to you!

May I ask what school?