Top 10 Supports for Autistic and Learning Differenced Students as They Transition to College

As the number of people diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum explodes to over one in 44, it is important to address the type of support these individuals will need as they transition to college.

Most college age adults on the Autism Spectrum or with Learning Differences have challenges in areas of social, organizational, and executive functioning skills. Many go off to a traditional college but aren’t successful due to the new and unfamiliar demands they face on a college campus. Even though these bright young adults with learning differences have great potential, many will return home from college, become isolated, and lose motivation.

The following 10 areas are critical to facilitating success in transitioning to college for those on the Autism Spectrum or with Learning Differences:

10 Key Areas of Support to Transition Successfully to College

Executive Functioning

Autistic college students and those with Asperger’s, ADHD, and other learning differences may be overwhelmed by the typical college experience. They benefit most from learning executive functioning skills and strategies which include planning, goal setting, and scheduling, along with strategies for residential living. Students also need to prioritize tasks and communicate more effectively. Each student should work to develop both organizational and follow-through strategies for his/her academic schedule. By working in small groups and using visual prompts, these young adults with autism can learn how to generalize these skills into their college classes, the workplace, and daily life.

Individual Tutorials & Study Groups

Individual and group tutoring sessions that meet throughout the week keep students on track. These sessions should be designed to help autistic and learning differenced students in specific areas where they have difficulties as well as improving basic academic skills. College students with autism need assistance selecting college courses and professors that will best meet their needs. They may also need assistance in signing up for accommodations provided by the disability support center on campus.

Social Competencies

The social cognitive learning difference is the most abstract of all learning differences. Those with autism need to effectively interpret what others are thinking and feeling by assuming another’s perspective. Learning whole body listening, social inference and using memory to facilitate friendships is critical. Students need to learn to interpret facial expressions and take perspective on what others are feeling. Participating in small group sessions to discuss perspectives and practice real-life social situations is typically a requirement in most college coursework. Essential skills to focus on include reciprocal conversation, body language, eye contact, and spatial awareness.

Social Mentoring

Social Mentors are individuals who are a few years older than students and act as role models for social and problem-solving skills. Research shows that role modeling by positive social mentors in real-life situations carries the highest degree of learning success. For example, practicing reciprocal conversation skills in a grocery store is much more powerful with a Social Mentor than in a classroom with a teacher. Social Mentors can meet regularly with students with autism and work to improve social understanding while participating in their special interests. Mentors spend time helping students with autism work on their social challenges while encouraging participation in real-world activities.

Sensory Integration

Autistic people benefit from having a holistic understanding of their sensory issues. This can help them improve attention, decrease anxiety, and increase environmental comfort. Classes or individual sessions that focus on sensory integration and the importance it has in everyday tasks provide valuable insight and help to develop coping strategies. These types of sessions include work on gross and fine motor control and help students understand the effect of the individual senses (tactile, vestibular, auditory, visual, and olfactory). Calming strategies are taught as part of the curriculum and a "sensory diet", or daily activities that help calm and relax, can be established for each student with autism.

Internships & Community Service

Internship placement is a crucial part of the college transition experience, especially for those with autism and learning disabilities. Students who can apply their academic and social knowledge directly in real-life workplace experiences will be successful. Teachers can help to assess their interests and abilities to help them find appropriate internships. Group meetings wherein students can openly discuss personal experiences, performance, advocacy, challenges, and what they have learned about themselves during the internship process are very beneficial for all who attend. Community service can be a less stressful opportunity for students with autism to learn more about themselves and what they like. Through community service, students gain a sense of accomplishment and achieve personal growth by contributing their time to help others.

Health & Wellness

A healthy lifestyle can help a person both reduce stress and elevate their level of healthy functioning. Exercise and a good diet increases energy, promotes positive social behaviors, and strengthens the immune system. It can also improve self-esteem as well as perceptions of others. Starting with individual assessments, students with autism can then focus on the areas of nutrition, hygiene, sensory diets, sleep, weight control, and physical fitness.

Reframing

Reframing is a concept that helps students with autism connect the dots between behavior and emotion. Reframing is a themed pro-social activity that aid students’ self-understanding and provides daily structure to one’s life. Reframing involved converting obstacles into opportunities for growth and is commonly used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy yet can be integrated into anyones daily life. A gathering once a day, usually first thing in the morning, provides a consistent schedule where students can then evaluate and score their feelings across a range of areas and set a plan for their day. This may seem mundane, but autistic and learning differenced young adults may crave consistency and routine, so a daily practice strongly aids the alteration of behavioral patterns.

Relationship Development

Students need to explore attitudes and values regarding healthy relationship development with special consideration given to issues related to learning differences. Present topics such as friendship building, communication skills, relationship dynamics, and sexuality education. Don’t assume that your student on the autism spectrum does not need basic instruction in common strategies such as initiating friendships and conversations, to learning how and when to be intimate.

Individual Therapy

Many students on the autism spectrum need support with social, anxiety, and sensory issues. Every student arrives at college with a unique set of challenges. Most attend college without being able to ask a teacher for help, work in a group, or develop typical college friendships. Individual therapy utilizing cognitive behavior therapy is very effective in assisting autistic students to deal with their emotions and to solve problems. As the number of students being diagnosed with Autism Asperger’s and learning differences increases dramatically, colleges need to develop curricula and supports that provide them with individualized services. It is of paramount importance that institutions hoping to address this increase can incorporate at least some of these concepts into their special programs for this population.

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