Contents
Introduction
A college, university, or technical school education is increasingly recognized as a very real option for many young people on the autism spectrum (Adreon & Durocher, 2007; Briel & Getzel, 2009). This includes many who are described as having “intellectual impairments” (Hart, Grigal, & Weir, 2010). Although we do not know the exact number of people with ASD who attend college or graduate, we do know that most do not participate in post-secondary education (Briel & Getziel, 2009), often making it difficult for them to achieve their career and life goals.
The transition to college can be stressful for anyone. It can be especially hard for students who, because of neurological differences, have difficulty accessing the social networks that other students rely on for support. Even those with ASD who have good academic skills may need to request various accommodations and supports from their postsecondary institution (VanBergeijk, Klin, & Volkmar, 2008). Areas in which they might seek support include:
- Accommodations for Testing;
- Other Academic Accommodations;
- Accommodations for Sensory Issues;
- Organization and Scheduling;
- Social Interaction and Support;
- Anxiety; and
- Counseling
Conclusion
For students with disabilities, college is very different from high school in a number of ways. The biggest difference may be that the school is no longer responsible for identifying students who need supports or accommodations. Colleges typically provide accommodations only if they are specifically requested by a student. As a result, students with ASD may need to learn the self-advocacy skills so that they can take the lead in requesting accommodations and other supports.
As students with ASD explore postsecondary options, it is important to remember that schools vary in both the quantity and quality of supports they provide. Some schools may be a much better fit than others. Before making a decision, students and their families should try to find out something about the kinds of supports that schools provide to students with disabilities, especially those with ASD. It may be especially helpful to learn what the experiences of other students on the spectrum have been.
References
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- Briel, L. W., & Getzel, E. E. (2009). Postsecondary options for students with autism. In P. Wehman, M. D. Smith & C. Schall (Eds.), Autism and the transition to adulthood: Success beyond the classroom (pp. 189-207). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
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- Getzel, E., & Briel, L. (2006). Pursuing postsecondary education opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In P. Wehman (Ed.), Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with disabilities (pp. 355-368). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
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