College recommendations specifically for...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A dear friend has a son with Asperger’s who decided to live at home and attend George Mason. For a while he didn’t have a car but lived on campus at the beginning and later on moved home and commuted. It’s what he wanted to do and he was very successful. Not all college experiences look the same.

Mason is a great option academically and in other ways but it is also a big school. Doesn’t mean it can’t work but definitely a consideration.
And agree with the PP about Mary Washington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A dear friend has a son with Asperger’s who decided to live at home and attend George Mason. For a while he didn’t have a car but lived on campus at the beginning and later on moved home and commuted. It’s what he wanted to do and he was very successful. Not all college experiences look the same.

Mason is a great option academically and in other ways but it is also a big school. Doesn’t mean it can’t work but definitely a consideration.
And agree with the PP about Mary Washington.

Aspergers DD went to Mason for five years (took her longer) and lived in the dorms all five years. She had a wonderful time. Disabilty services was so-so but this was seven years ago so things may have changed.

[Anonymous]

What about American or Catholic? They are nearby and in the city. Not huge. Catholic has lots of shops right off campus.

I have also heard good things about UMBC.

Not sure if this is too far/cold, but Hofstra is on lists for good educational support. I looked for my adhd kid. Also, Marist. Very pretty campus.

Don't know anything about support, but Gettysburg is right in the town I think. Same for F&M in Lancaster and York College in York. All about 1.5-2hrs away.

I wish the "not ready " crowd would stick a sock in it unless they have some well supported insight. Every kid is different. My good friend has a similar kid and has essentially been his aid. He is it a state college in the midwest (regional campus, not flagship) about 1.5 hours from their home and doing great. Enough independence but also able to get support when needed. Will graduate with a double major in electrical and computer engineering this year.

Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

OP here, if anyone has been to visit Wellesley campus, that type of situation would be ideal. Beautiful enclosed campus that is not in the middle of a city ( where I am worried about him walking in citytraffic), with a sidewalk that leads right into a village. Obviously we need a co-ed version.

[Anonymous]

OP,

I just want to say that my DD was against anything related to college in HS (prior to senior year). She DID NOT want to talk about it. It triggered a lot of anxiety. Things CAN change for your kid b/t now and graduation time.

The thing that switched the light for my DD was actually going to a smaller campus during the summer before senior year and getting the sense that it was approachable and she could see herself there. It made the idea of college less scary. That was the only school she applied to and that's where she goes now! (UMW)

Whether that is a fit for your kid or not, I just wanted to throw some optimism your way that what you see in junior year of HS isn't necessarily where he'll be mentally at the end of senior year.

Also, I know of a kid who was a school-refuser in HS. Smart enough to get 96% on SAT despite not being in school for the vast majority of HS. He was able to get into GMU, and lived ON CAMPUS all of his time there. He graduated. I assure you his mom never thought that could happen when that kid was a junior in HS and would not leave the house for months and months.

Good luck. My advice is to make the idea of college visable and accessible.

[Anonymous]

Why not Union College in NY?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, if anyone has been to visit Wellesley campus, that type of situation would be ideal. Beautiful enclosed campus that is not in the middle of a city ( where I am worried about him walking in citytraffic), with a sidewalk that leads right into a village. Obviously we need a co-ed version.

Can your aspie son write papers? Mine could not. Do not pick a slac like Wellesley where lots of paper writing will be expected, if this us the case

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, if anyone has been to visit Wellesley campus, that type of situation would be ideal. Beautiful enclosed campus that is not in the middle of a city ( where I am worried about him walking in citytraffic), with a sidewalk that leads right into a village. Obviously we need a co-ed version.

Can your aspie son write papers? Mine could not. Do not pick a slac like Wellesley where lots of paper writing will be expected, if this us the case

I am confused... don't most colleges require paper writing ? I don't know if he can write long papers. He is getting pretty good grades at a W high school.... I don't know how that translates to college long paper writing... he's not a sciency type of person, ie won't be doing engineering ...
Does anyone have an introvert- Aspie- type child at Boston University? Certainly not a Wellesley- looking campus but how do social anxiety kids do at a place like BU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I just want to say that my DD was against anything related to college in HS (prior to senior year). She DID NOT want to talk about it. It triggered a lot of anxiety. Things CAN change for your kid b/t now and graduation time.

The thing that switched the light for my DD was actually going to a smaller campus during the summer before senior year and getting the sense that it was approachable and she could see herself there. It made the idea of college less scary. That was the only school she applied to and that's where she goes now! (UMW)

Whether that is a fit for your kid or not, I just wanted to throw some optimism your way that what you see in junior year of HS isn't necessarily where he'll be mentally at the end of senior year.

Also, I know of a kid who was a school-refuser in HS. Smart enough to get 96% on SAT despite not being in school for the vast majority of HS. He was able to get into GMU, and lived ON CAMPUS all of his time there. He graduated. I assure you his mom never thought that could happen when that kid was a junior in HS and would not leave the house for months and months.

Good luck. My advice is to make the idea of college visable and accessible.

Thank you, this is helpful. However, we did visit a few campuses this past summer and it made no impact on him in terms of narrowing down what he likes, only bewildered him and stressed him out from the admission spiels with the acceptance rates.

[Anonymous]

Drew