“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.”
ADVICE
2 Where do you live and
why?
“Home. It’s cheaper to live at
and commute, and it also gives
me the comfort of a stable environment.”
FROM AUTISTIC COLLEGE STUDENTS
“Dorm because I like being in a
community.”
“A studio apartment because
it is much cheaper than living
in the dorms and because I can
stay there for the remainder of
my college education without
having to move every year.”
3 How do you keep track of
classes and assignments?
B Y
D A W N
M A R O T T E
I
recently conducted a survey in which I
asked six questions to autistic college students. The survey was anonymous, so students
were encouraged to be very honest. Below are
just few of the insightful answers I received. For
more advice, I invite you to visit my website
ASD-DR.
1 What supports do you receive in college,
and how does it compare to high school?
“I’ve learned there is a distinction between
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ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
“Google Calendar, tons of
Post-its, exchanging email with
the teachers.”
‘supports,’ which I am responsible to figure out,
and accommodations which are a legal right in
college.”
“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 too anxious.”
“This is a skill I have developed with age and with finding
a therapist who was willing to
focus on my need for coping
tools.”
by the things that bother you
as you do, so you need to tell
people when it happens because they have no idea it’s
happening otherwise.”
“Spending time alone in lowsensory environments, especially nature.”
“Hang in there, kid. Things
will be rough for a while, but
you’ll become tougher. Everything will be okay. Nothing is
forever.”
5 How do you motivate
yourself?
“Don’t be afraid to use the
skills you do have (typing)
to communicate your needs
to adults. They love you, and
they will help you, whatever it
takes.
“By thinking that I am worth
living like any other person
and that I can obtain a degree
despite hardships.”
“I motivate myself by controlling my environment and
planning daily time for intense
exercise and nature.”
“You’re not stupid. You’ve actually got autism and dyslexia,
so go get tested and get some
help.”
“Scheduling everything (including food, exercise and
sleep) in my Google Calendar
with reminders helps as does
having people around me to remind me to leave my room on
occasion.”
“I always print off my schedule
in the beginning of the year
and check it often.”
6 If you could go back in
time and give a piece of
advice to your high school
self, what would it be?
“I write down deadlines, meetings, etc. in a planner.”
“I would tell myself to be more
assertive.”
4 How do you handle stress?
“For the love of God, stop worrying what others will think
and ask for help if you need it.”
“Tons of stimming. I have
sound-muffling headphones
that I keep in my bag with me
constantly.”
“No one else feels as agitated
“Try harder to get supports.
Also, make sure you’re eating!!
Oh, and animation is way better than computer science.”
“You’re not a freak. You don’t
have ADD. You’re autistic, and
you’re not broken.”
Dawn Marcotte started
www.ASD-DR.com to
help families with autistic
teens and young adults
by providing information on over 300
colleges around the country that provide
support for autistic students. The site
also has information and tips directly
from autistic college students.
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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