For teens with Aspergers: how did you choose the best college ?

Question

I have a daughter who is gifted with AS & is at a special school. I'd love to know if anyone has used a college guidance counselor who specializes in AS? Or better yet, do any of you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

I go to Penn State Harrisburg, a branch campus of Penn State, and there the counselor is very into learning about ASD's  and he does what he can to help and is very understanding.  He said though that I would be better off at a small branch campus instead of Main Campus because then the help is more individualized.

Answer 2

You should look at the REACH program at the University of Iowa. They also have them at UCLA and other schools if you live very far from Iowa and don't want her to go far away to school.

We are looking into it for our son with high functioning autism who is very artistically gifted.

Answer 3

I have heard Temple Grandin speak.  She is a very successful woman who is autistic spectrum.  She suggests a smaller school, not in a busy city.  Also disability accommodations can be made for asperger's.  I have also heard Stephen Shore speak, he is a college professor and is asperger's and gifted.  There are ways to get the curriculum modified, depending on what she wants to do.  Ex. say she wants to go into communications, and wants to work with sign language.  If part of that curriculum is public speaking course, this can be modified, so she doesn't have to take it, or a substitute course is offered.  Try looking at the national autism society site for ideas.  Also the AAPC autism asperger's publishing company has many books on the subject.  If you buy one book from there it is loaded with resources.  

Answer 4

Hi!  Have you talked with the staff at the school she currently attends?  A lot of time they have so many resources you may not know about.  Also, most colleges have assistance for individuals with certain needs.  If there are specific colleges you are thinking about you could call them directly and ask them about the services they provide.  They can often explain their services and ease the worries you may have.  I work in Michigan and we have outside agencies come in and talk with our special education seniors about IEPs and all the help that is available to them as they transition to college.  Do you know if your daughters school offers anything like this?  

I'm not sure of you've ever heard of the Autism Speaks website but it is www.autismspeaks.org and they may have resources and/or people who specialize in this area who may be able to answer this question or point you in the right direction.  

I don't know if this really answers your question!  I would start with asking the school for any resources they may have, call colleges you may be interested in, and search Autism/Asperger websites.

Good luck :)