Finding the right college is key to successfully graduating
and lists like the Top 10 Colleges for Autistic Students can only go so far.
Here are a few other resources to check before making any
decisions.
ASAN's Navigating
College Handbook
The Navigating College Handbook was published in 2011. This
book was written by autistic students, for autistic students and its point of
view is unique. The book is available for free at their website, Navigating
College http://navigatingcollege.org/download.php). The ebook contains
information on getting academic accommodations, housing tips, health and
safety, advocacy and social life.
Online Websites
Searching for college is a big business online. There are
many websites with information about colleges across the country. Unfortunately
few of them include any information on the support services for autistic
students.
ThinkCollege.net is a web site that specifically targets
autistic students. The site has a listing of colleges, universities and post-secondary
programs designed for autistic students. However the programs they list are
submitted to them for inclusion on the list and the list is far from complete.
If students have a specific school in mind, checking this site to see what
programs are available is a good first step. However if the school is not
listed here, it doesn't mean they don't have support programs available.
Another website to check is SpectrumU (https://spectrumu.wordpress.com/)
This site lists many colleges in alphabetical order or by type of university.
However this is in a list format, not a searchable database. The site does have
some excellent information on searching for colleges with appropriate services.
Print Resources
Consumer Reports has done a review of online and print
resources for college guides and comparisons. While none of the online
resources they recommend address services for autistic students several of the
print books do.
The College Handbook by the College Board, Guide to Colleges
by Fiske and Profiles of American colleges by Barron's are all top resources
and all include information on special services. College Handbook is actually
the number one recommended book resource as it includes information on costs,
educational quality, environment and has the largest number of schools included
in the guide at 3,800. This may be a good first look to understand what is
available and learn the vocabulary that goes with a school search.
Online Forums
There are also several forums where students and parents can
go to learn more about college and post-secondary life from people who are
living it.
·
Aspie Central (https://www.aspiescentral.com/forums/education-and-employment.24/)
·
Wrong Planet (www.wrongplanet.net)
·
College Confidential
(http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1741671-finding-a-college-for-autistic-students.html?new=1)
These forums are all active and provide valuable information and
discussions on college and other post-secondary options.
Other
Options
Not every autistic student is going to attend a college with
support services. However there are independent programs who will provide
needed support at the college or university of choice. These programs are fee
based and vary widely in cost and services.
Here are a few examples:
·
AHEADD - http://www.aheadd.org/
·
College Internship Program -
http://cipworldwide.org/
·
College Living Experience -
http://www.experiencecle.com/home.aspx
·
College Steps Program -
http://www.collegesteps.org/
·
Student Curriculum on Resilient
Education - http://www.scoreforcollege.org/propel
Autistic students can be successful in college and beyond with the
right supports in place.
Dawn Marcotte is the CEO of WWW.ASD-DR.com, a website designed to help teens and young adults on the spectrum live to their highest potential.
