Transition for Students with Asperger Syndrome

[Nichole Thomason]

As I begin research on my first paper in grad school I am flooded with questions. I am researching the barriers students with Asperger Syndrome face when transitioning into postsecondary education. I have found alot of research on students with intellectual disabilities but not specifically AS. I was just curious if any of you work with students in transition. What do you find are some obstacles in transition? What kinds of things do you do as teachers to prepare students with AS for college? This is SO interesting to me because of the social factor. College is such an important time for students to make connections yet for students on the spectrum this can be highly difficult. Any thoughts, experiences? Thanks!!!

[Jeannette Van Houten]

One of the largest areas that I find for students with disabilities that are making the transition to higher education is the lack of supports at the college level for modification of the material into electronic text, navigating the campus, and support with understanding the dynamics of an academia world. In school, we are often taught not to challenge our teachers. However, when you enter the academia you are responsible for forming your own ideas and thoughts around the concept being taught. Often young adults on the spectrum disorder are able to view facts and discuss the facts as one knows it but often struggle with branching to form their own opinions and why they feel this.

The other area is lack of supports that many AS students are accustomed to for example, the educational aide to support their organization of materials for class, clarity and note taking. The issue is that the supports are not faded to create independence for the transition to higher learning.

[K Greenhaw]

I agree that it seems the support provided by educators and educational tools both in K-12 classes and then later in college is crucial for a smooth transition into post-secondary education. Especially with AS, this transition is critical and could mean the difference between pursuing a college education and getting held back due to difficult college social situations, or trouble with tests, projects and presentations. I know EnableMart offers a number of transitional plans and IEP resources that can help with AS and Autism, like Implementing Ongoing Transitional Plans, Solutions for Students with Autism, and Asperger Syndrome DVD, however I think an even more helpful set of resources for those going into post-secondary education would be online communities for those with Asperger Syndrome like WrongPlanet.net, or Internet links and resources like College Planning for the High Functioning Student with Autism, Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support, and Asperger's Conversations. If the student is comfortable using the Internet as a primary tool for support during their college experience it might be these types of resources in combination with support from their teachers and counselors that provide them with the right tools to manage their post-secondary school experience.

[Nichole Thomason]

I like you idea about connecting students through online communities. Thanks for your input!

[K Greenhaw]

Your welcome. Thanks for starting this important topic!

[Jeannette Van Houten]

Here is a great article that appeared in the Washington Post today. It is about a program that really thought of the supports there were needed for young adults with disabilities.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/28/AR2...

[K Greenhaw]

College Living Experience is an excellent program. I'm glad that there are organizations like this out there to help kids and college students graduate. This is kind of an expensive program though. I wonder if they have grants and opportunities for students who need financial assistance.

On a side note relating to helpful online communities, I wanted to let everyone know that EnableMart is part of an exciting new community called disaboom.com:

Disaboom.com is made for the community, by the community to be the premiere destination for anyone touched by a functional limitation or disability and offers everything from features on health and living to world news, classifieds and social networking.

Go to Disaboom.com to check out or post events in your area, read up on the latest medical news, write a review on the accessibility of businesses and restaurants or participate in a forum. To join, log on to www.disaboom.com/enable_link.aspx.