Topic - College and Autism
People on the autistic spectrum can and do go to college, but there’s a lot to consider before the “big exit”. Even if your child had a stellar performance in high school, get comprehensive testing to check out learning problems and social deficits that were managed in school, but will cause serious problems in college. No parents to monitor them! Check out schools online to learn about autism support programs. Some schools do a great job and others, not so much. Visit schools and ask questions about support services including social mentoring. I find that my clients do best starting at a community college or a local 4-year school. The smaller school reduces the anxiety of sensory sensitivities. The antics of freshmen, problems with understanding sexual situations and being rigid about rules are certain to get them into trouble in a dorm.
