Thriving with Autism/Asperger’s in the College Setting Lorrie Ness, Ph.D
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- Slide 1
- Thriving with Autism/Aspergers in the College Setting Lorrie
Ness, Ph.D.
- Slide 2
- Part I What is Aspergers Syndrome?
- Slide 3
- Other Characteristics of AS Difficulties reading body language
Facial emotional expression Understanding the impact of behavior or
language on others Speech peculiarities Literal interpretation
Problems with facial recognition
- Slide 4
- Other Characteristics of AS Fine motor challenges Sensory
hypersensitivity Focus on details Trouble with social interactions
Difficulty adjusting to change Problems with attention Becomes lost
easily
- Slide 5
- Other Characteristics of AS Executive Functions Executive
Functions Planning Organizing Working Memory Self- Monitoring
Inhibition Initiating Many individuals with Asperger Syndrome will
face challenges with executive functions. Without support, this can
negatively impact grades resulting in academic performance that is
below their actual ability level.
- Slide 6
- Other Aspergers Strengths Strong vocabulary skills Average or
above intellectual ability Excellent memory for factual information
Adherence to the rules The ability to excel in a domain of special
interest Attention to detail Less susceptible to social demands
Strong visual reasoning skills Intense focus on areas of
interest
- Slide 7
- Part II The college experience with Aspergers
- Slide 8
- What Makes College Different? College is a time to pursue
higher education AND independent living skills Possible New
Challenges Laundry Keeping a Sleep Schedule Cooking Developing a
Daily Schedule Finding Your Way on Campus Shopping & Money
Management Keeping a Tidy Dorm or Suite Cleaning the Bathroom
- Slide 9
- What Makes College Different? Self-Advocacy New Challenges Less
Parental Involvement No IEPs Students must identify their needs and
request accommodations This can be especially challenging for
students who attended high schools with very specialized programs
for autism spectrum disorders.
- Slide 10
- How is College Different? New Interpersonal Challenges Speaking
to professors Decoding the hidden rules Group assignments Larger
student body & class sizes Negotiating with others Making
friends Finding a boyfriend or girlfriend
- Slide 11
- How is College Different? Moving Out Possible New Challenges
Cleaning shared space Personal hygiene Negotiating with roommate(s)
Sensory issues in the dorm Single vs shared rooms
- Slide 12
- How is College Different? Increased need to work independently
Breaking the assignments into small steps Making deadlines for each
step Time management Prioritization Seeking out tutoring Asking
instructors for help
- Slide 13
- How is College Different? More Frequent Changes in Routine
Changes in routine can bring about anxiety. However, changes are
also opportunities for growth and for learning new coping skills
Roommates Dorm assignment Roommates moving around belongings Class
schedules Transportation schedules Class format
- Slide 14
- How is College Different? Reduced contact with friends and
family Less parental intervention Less contact with old
friends/family More pressure to make new friends Fewer people you
know to introduce you to new people or places
- Slide 15
- Strategies for College Success Contact the Disability Resource
Center
- Slide 16
- Strategies for College Success Contact the Disability Resource
Center Summer semester or summer orientation to ease the transition
campus/dorm life
- Slide 17
- Strategies for College Success Contact the Disability Resource
Center Summer semester or summer orientation to ease the transition
campus/dorm life Arrange for medical/psychiatric care in advance to
prevent lapses in medication
- Slide 18
- Strategies for College Success Contact the Disability Resource
Center Summer semester or summer orientation to ease the transition
campus/dorm life Arrange for medical/psychiatric care in advance to
prevent lapses in medication Plan routes to class in advance with a
guide
- Slide 19
- Strategies for College Success Contact the Disability Resource
Center Summer semester or summer orientation to ease the transition
campus/dorm life Arrange for medical/psychiatric care in advance to
prevent lapses in medication Plan routes to class in advance with a
guide Plan ahead for appropriate bus routes/parking
- Slide 20
- Strategies for College Success Join a support or social group
for students with Asperger Syndrome Consider participating in a
social skills group for college students with AS. This can provide
concrete instruction for managing the new social experiences one
encounters in college Inquire if your college has a mentoring
program Seek mental health services for any symptoms of anxiety,
depression, etc. that may arise
- Slide 21
- Strategies for College Success Sensory sensitivity can impact
life in the classroom and the dorms. Consider the following
environmental management techniques: 1. Reserve a study carrel at
the library to reduce unpleasant noises 2. Consider sleeping with a
mask or earplugs to reduce light/noise 3. Seek permission to use
earplugs or noise cancelling headphones during exams 4. Seek out a
roommate with similar environmental preferences if possible
- Slide 22
- Strategies for College Success Sensory sensitivity can impact
life in the classroom and the dorms. Consider the following
environmental management techniques: 1. Negotiate with your
roommate regarding use of fragrances. 2. Ask permission to wear a
mask during labs to reduce smells. 3. Inquire about taking exams in
a quiet room free of distracting lights/smells/sounds. 4. Plan
ahead to carry snacks of a particular texture.
- Slide 23
- Strategies for College Success Some individuals prefer to feel
a higher level of sensory feedback or find a higher degree of
sensory feedback to be calming Seek permission to use a sensory toy
in class. Sit with backpack or books on lap to provide heavy
pressure. Formal accommodations may be necessary for tests/exams.
Wear tight clothing (i.e., bike shorts) under street clothes for
added pressure. Experiment with various felt pens to increase
friction with the page.
- Slide 24
- Strategies for College Success Sensory issues, dysgraphia,
difficulties with attention and slow processing speed can also make
note taking a challenge. Consider accommodations for a note-taker
Audio tape lectures Use a smart pen Accommodations to type notes on
a laptop Accommodations to provide you with print-outs of slides in
class
- Slide 25
- Strategies for College Success Difficulties with attention,
anxiety, OCD, Tourettes make it necessary to be provided with
extended time on exams. Consider working with a tutor skilled in
fostering the development of stronger executive functions -planning
-organizing -initiating tasks independently
- Slide 26
- Strategies for College Success Accommodations for reading and
writing Pursue tutoring if difficulties with organization impact
essays or writing Sometimes over-focus on the details can impact
comprehension of the broader message when reading. Guidance about
assembling the details into the whole could be helpful.
- Slide 27
- Strategies for College Success INDEPENDENCE!!! Some
accommodations may be necessary for the duration of college and
beyond (i.e., typing rather than handwriting). HOWEVER Other
accommodations should be phased out as you master these skills.
Remember that just because something makes you feel a little bit
out of your comfort zone doesnt mean you cant do it!