--- title: Ten Lessons in Transitioning from High School to College for Students with Autism and Learning Differences description: Ten practical tips for parents on how to assist your neurodiverse teen prepare for college success from a former college professor. image: https://info.cipworldwide.org/hubfs/High%20angle%20view%20of%20young%20college%20students%20using%20laptop%20while%20doing%20homework%20in%20the%20park.jpeg --- [![CIP Worldwide](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/CIP-logo.png?width=300&height=729&name=CIP-logo.png "CIP Worldwide")](https://cipworldwide.org) - [About](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [CIP at a Glance](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [Our Students](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-students/) - [Our Staff](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-staff/) - [Advisory Board](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/professional-advisory-board/) - [Outcomes & Statistics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/outcomes-statistics/) - 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college autism # Ten Lessons in Transitioning from High School to College for Students with Autism and Learning Differences *This article was recently published in Autism Spectrum News.* "College success is about a student’s ability to adapt how they learn and remain motivated during that process. In a [study published by the American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/ptn/2014/08/college-freshmen), one student puts it quite succinctly: “In high school, you learn the material in class. In college, most learning takes place outside the classroom.”   [![Read the article](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/514277/9862919a-be45-416a-b20e-e06b857732d1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/514277/9862919a-be45-416a-b20e-e06b857732d1)   ### About Mary Sokolowski, Ph.D. Before joining The College Internship Program, Mary worked for twenty years in the field of post-secondary education as an instructor and administrator. She served as adjunct faculty at several colleges and universities in the northeast. As National Enrollment Specialist at CIP, Mary is responsible for initiating and developing relationships with neurodiverse students and their families. She guides families through the CIP admissions process, from their first inquiry to their potential enrollment at one of five national centers. ## Related Articles - [Achieving Success in College: Strategies for students with autism and learning differences](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/achieving-success-in-college-strategies-for-students-with-autism) - [Picking Up After an Unsuccessful College Experience: Transitioning Back to Higher Education for Students with Autism, ADHD, and Other Learning Differences](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/picking-up-after-an-unsuccessful-college-experience-transitioning-back-to-higher-education-for-students-with-autism) - [Achieving Success in College: Strategies for Students on the Autism Spectrum](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/achieving-success-in-college-strategies-for-students-on-the-autism-spectrum) - [Getting Back Into It: Returning to a Routine After Break for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum or with Learning Differences](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/getting-back-into-it-returning-to-a-routine-after-break) ### Share this Article Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Share on email Email #### Locations - [Lee, Massachusetts](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/) - [Melbourne, Florida](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/) - [Bloomington, Indiana](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/) - [Berkeley, California](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/) - [Long Beach, California](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/) #### Programs - [Independent Living Support](https://cipworldwide.org/curriculum/life-skills-instruction/) - [Social Skills Supports](https://cipworldwide.org/curriculum/social-competencies/) - [Autism & LD College Programs](https://cipworldwide.org/curriculum/academic-support/) - [Autism & LD Summer Programs](https://cipworldwide.org/summer/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://cipworldwide.org/about-cip/faqs/) #### About CIP We’ve been helping young adults on the autism spectrum and with learning differences find success in college, employment, and independent living since 1984. 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