Preparing Students with Asperger Syndrome for the Transition from High School into College

Rebecca Hansen, M.A.

Goals for this session: Gain a better understanding of the

transition process from high school into college.

Recognize the specific differences in each setting.

Identify the seven domains in which students on the autism spectrum may need support within the college setting: academics, independent living, socialization, safety, diversity, stress and personal insight.

Provide a series of individualized questions which can serve as checklist for you to discern areas in which your student may need help with the transition from high school into college.

Top Ten Issues Identified by Students

(in order of importance)

1. Personal responsibility

2. Class attendance

3. Teacher attitudes

4. Types of assignments

5. Importance of performance

6. Time management

7. Amount of study

8. Size of institution/classes

9. Difficulty of college work

10. Social life

(Web Source: http://advising.wichita.edu/lasac/pubs/aah/trans.htm)

My first day of college…

Before After

High School v/s CollegeClass SizeLecture lengthAttendanceParticipation

Social RulesSafetyResourcesIndependent Living

Skills

Questions to ask your student about academics: Will you attend class timely and regularly?

Will you alert your professors and tutors proactively if an absence is necessary?

Will you be prepared to listen, participate and learn while in the classroom?

Will you engage in appropriate classroom etiquette and behavior?

Can you take notes while listening to a class lecture?

Will you complete and hand in all out of class assignments and homework?

Will you be respectful of open debate and the opinions of others while still being able to express your opinion?

Will you accept academic evaluations from professors and tutors and work willingly to maintain or improve your academic progress?

Typical Weekly Academic ScheduleMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9AM Biology 101 Biology 101 Biology 101

10AM Math 097 Math 097

11AM Communication Studies 103

Communication Studies 103

Noon

1PM Biology 101 Biology101 Biology 101

2PM

3PM

4PM

Free Time – fill it up!Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

9AM Biology 101 X Biology 101 X Biology 101

10AM X Math 097 X Math 097 X11AM X

Communication Studies 103 X

Communication Studies 103 X

Noon X X X X X1PM Biology 101 X Biology 101 X Biology 101

2PM X X X X X3PM X X X X X4PM X X X X X

Questions to ask your student about independent living: Are you able to play the leading role in planning for and carrying out your educational

experience?

Can you express your need for additional help?

Can you manage your time effectively?

Can you manage small and/or large amounts of money?

Can you plan and follow a personal menu that meets dietary needs or identify your dietary restrictions?

Can you self-medicate and are you able to have prescribed medications re-filled at a local pharmacy?

Can you travel independently through the local community, including the ability to plan for and use public transportation?

Will you seek out and participate in activities that promote career exploration?

Before you leave your dorm room, have you?...

Taken your meds?

Put your homework in your book bag?

Packed the proper books?

Checked your email and cell phone messages?

Put on your pants?

Questions to ask your student about socialization: Are you able to become involved in campus-based groups, clubs and

other recreational activities?

Are you able to become involved in community-based social and recreational activities?

Can you plan for upcoming social activities, including making appropriate accommodations, clothing preparations, etc.

Do you enjoy the company of others and seek out friendships?

Are you capable of becoming involved in a romantic relationship?

People with ASD’s do desire friendships!

Questions to ask your student about safety: Can you recognize when you are being taken advantage of?

Can you walk safely through traffic and are you able to cross public streets carefully?

Can you recognize personal illness or injury that will require medical treatment and alert an authority?

Are you able to recognize what constitutes an emergency and take appropriate action?

Do you engage in activities that promote your physical, emotional and psychological wellness?

The Value of Experience

Dr. Patrick Schwarz: “The Dignity of Risk”

Did you have a helmet on when you first had your training wheels taken off of your bicycle?

Questions to ask your student about sexuality/diversity: Do you have a mature understanding of sexuality, including sexual

intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and the practice of safe sex?

Do you have a mature understanding of your personal values?

Have you experienced interacting with people of other cultures, races, political standpoints and sexual orientations ?

Are you respectful of the views others hold regarding sexuality, politics and race?

Do you recognize the private nature of sexual interests and activity?

Can you distinguish a friendship from a more intimate relationship?

Do you respect personal boundaries including the personal space of others?

Accepting Others

Questions to ask your student about stressors: Can you recognize your personal symptoms of distress and make

adjustments to alleviate those symptoms?

Will you participate in activities that are designed to reduce stress in a healthy manner including activities such as: physical exercise, improved time management, relaxation techniques and other wellness activities?

Are you resilient in responding to a crisis or personal set-back?

Will you accept assistance from others and value collaboration and teamwork?

Do you respond will in competitive environments and situations?

How do I relieve stress?

Questions to ask your student about personal insight: Can you set your own personal goals and follow a designed plan

to reach those goals?

Can you chose a field of study or degree program?

Will you seek out new and challenging experiences?

Are you generally flexible and accommodating when sudden change occurs?

Do you have a high level of personal responsibility?

Do you have knowledge of your specific autism spectrum disorder and how has this impacted your life?

Futures Planning: The Dream

What are the goals for students who are not onthe Autism Spectrum?

They are the same.

LiveWorkPlay

Learned Helplessness - making the disability worse by doing it for them.

Home

School

Career

Community

Independent Skills

Things to do before transitioning into college…

Visit Several Universities/Coll

eges

Meet with your High School Counselor

Contact your local Department of

Vocational Rehabilitation

Take ACT/SAT with Accommodations

Make Medical Appointments

Things to do before transitioning into college…

Create a dorm-style bedroom!

Teach your student how to do laundry!

Use only verbal/alarm prompts for medication!

Open a checking account!

Have your student travel alone!

Invaluable experience…Summer Sessions! Get ahead with college credits!

(even during your junior year of High School)

Get to know the campus layout!

Meet faculty and staff!

Eat dorm food!

Learn time management!

Become involved in your new community!

Help ease the transition into college.

Transitioning into College through a summer experience

Mountainside Media Presentation