Education Law

Support for Students with Autism at College

By Charles Fox

Some colleges and universities around the country are actually taking proactive steps to address the needs of students with autism. For many students academics is not the top issue. Socialization, organization and advocacy top the list for many students. I have seen a number of students that I have represented at the K-12 level get into 4 year college but then fail because they spent excessive amounts of time playing video games or otherwise not able to handle the social and organizational pressures of college or university.

A recent newspaper report stated:

"The Organization for Autism Research, a nationwide group, is creating a line of videos designed to educate college staff. The first is aimed at professors; a second, in the works, will be geared to resident assistants.

AHEADD, the Pittsburgh-based organization, recently opened offices in Dallas, Washington and Albany, N.Y. It charges between $4,200 and $5,700 per semester for help with all aspects of college life."

This AHEADD program sounds promising and could be the difference between matriculation and flunking out. George Washington University also has a clearinghouse of information that is accessible online. It is nice to see that at least to some degree colleges and universities are recognizing that there are large number of  students on the spectrum  and other disabilities who are capable of college but need supports to make it a reality.

Full post as published by Special Education Law Blog on July 11, 2008 (boomark / email).