Transition to College for Students with Asperger Syndrome
More and more students with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism (HFA) are going to college. If you are a high school student with Asperger’s/HFA or the parent of such a student, what can you do to get ready for the college transition?
First, college should be part of your (or your child’s) transition plan. Federal law requires that all students over age 14 with IEP’s have a transition plan. Be sure the plan includes preparation for college. That might include special advising, intensive preparation in note-taking and study skills, and learning to manage time independently. All of these are crucial skills for college success.
Next, you have to decide where to continue your education. In addition to all of the usual decisions about the size and location of the college, you need to consider how prepared the college is to help students with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism. All colleges offer some type of support for students with disabilities, but few are prepared to work with students with Asperger’s and HFA. You might check out a web site such as http://www.aspfi.org/college/#fouryear which is maintained by the Asperger Foundation International. In addition, you can ask whether the college has students on campus with Asperger’s or HFA and what they do to help such students. Also, check out the other support services the college offers- such as counseling and health services. Are they staffed by professionals? Are services available 24/7? Have they had experiencing working with students with Asperger’s and HFA?
Next comes the application process. You might want to set up a spreadsheet to keep track of the colleges to which you are applying. Check off when you apply (and pay the application fee), when your transcripts and test scores are sent to them, and when you send in your application. Pay special attention to due dates. Colleges have lots of applicants. They are usually not flexible about due dates. Miss a deadline by one day and you are out!
For many students with Asperger’s and high functioning autism, test-taking and essay-writing can be especially challenging. One thing that can help with the SAT test is to thoroughly understand the test. The SAT web site at http://www.collegeboard.com contains lots of information, including sample test questions and books for purchase. You may also decide that you want to use a commercial SAT test preparation service. Whatever you decide to do, it really helps to understand the types of questions you will see on the test.
What about that essay? Again, two suggestions. First, don’t put it off. Second, get help. A teacher, a parent, even a friend can help by listening to your ideas for your essay (or essays, depending on the college), then reading a draft. It is hard to know what colleges are looking for in an essay. You want to be honest and direct but not too informal. That’s why getting someone else to read the essay is very important.
Some of the greatest things about college- free time and social acyivities- can present the most challenges for students with Asperger’s and high functioning autism:
- Practice planning your time: Get an academic planner or use the scheduling feature on your computer or cell phone. But don’t just schedule classes. Schedule what you will do after school.
- Join a club or other group that shares your interests: Colleges have lots of groups. The more practice students with Asperger’s and HFA have interacting in groups the more they will be able to take advantage of those opportunities in college.
- Use social networks: For many students, social network sites like Facebook and My Space) can be less threatening places to find people who share their interests. But, be careful. People can sometimes be cruel- even in cyberspace. Also, social networks are not a replacement for face-to-face relationships.
Making the transition from high school to college is hard for most young adults. For students with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism there are special challenges. They can prepare for college by being informed about the support services offered by the college of their choice, practice keeping (and using) schedules both for school as well as for free time, and participating in group activities and social networks.
