Transcript Slide 1

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 College
Class Size
Lecture length
Attendance
Participation
Social Rules
Safety
Resources
Independent 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 Schedule
Monday
9AM
Tuesday
Biology 101
Wednesday
Thursday
Biology 101
Friday
Biology 101
10AM
Math 097
Math 097
11AM
Communication
Studies 103
Communication
Studies 103
Noon
1PM
2PM
3PM
4PM
Biology 101
Biology101
Biology 101
Free Time – fill it up!
Monday
9AM
10AM
11AM
Noon
Biology 101
X
X
X
1PM
Biology 101
2PM
X
X
X
3PM
4PM
Tuesday
Wednesday
X
Biology 101
X
X
X
X
Math 097
Math 097
Communication
Studies 103
X
X
X
X
X
Biology 101
X
X
X
Thursday
Communication
Studies 103
X
X
X
X
X
Friday
Biology 101
X
X
X
Biology 101
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 on
the Autism Spectrum?
Home
School
They are the same.
Live
Work
Independent
Skills
Play
Learned Helplessness - making the
disability worse by doing it for them.
Career
Community
Things to do before transitioning into college…
Visit Several
Universities/
Colleges
Make Medical
Appointments
Take
ACT/SAT
with
Accommodations
Meet with your
High School
Counselor
Contact your
local
Department
of Vocational
Rehabilitation
Things to do before transitioning into college…
Create a
dormstyle
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