EDUCATION
New Survey Provides
Valuable Insight
for College-Bound ASD Students
By Dawn MARCOTTE
While the news is filled with articles about autistic children, these children are quietly growing into teens and young adults. Many want to go to college. But college is a
lot more than just going to class and getting the work done.
I
n an effort to help autistic teens prepare for college, www.ASD-DR.com sponsored a survey sent to
autistic college students across the United States
in June of 2015.
1. “I’ve learned there is a distinction between
‘supports,’ which I am responsible to figure out,
and accommodations which are a legal right in
college.”
Fifty-seven autistic college students responded with
answers to six questions. Many of the responses received provided excellent insight into what autistic
college-bound students and their families can expect and perhaps offer an opportunity to plan ahead.
Here are some of the responses:
2. “I realized my grades would really suffer if I
didn’t take advantage of the accommodations
I was legally entitled to. The accommodations
I get include double time on tests, consideration of excess absences, the ability to record
lectures, the ability to type rather than handwrite in-class assignments, and the ability to
leave the classroom if I get to anxious.”
1. What supports do you receive in college
and how does it compare to high school?
Surprisingly most respondents didn’t have any
support in high school.
3. “College is surprisingly supportive if you are
willing to look. There are so many resources
and tutoring options that many people just aren’t aware of.”
Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 44
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