<p>my son is a hs junior and is a high-functioning asperger's kid. does anyone have info about colleges that have programs to help him adjust to the independence that college requires?</p>
<p>If you don’t get enough responses here, you might also check the “Learning Differences and Challenges” forum; sometimes there are related threads there.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/527980-has-anyone-used-aheadd-aspergers-student.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/527980-has-anyone-used-aheadd-aspergers-student.html</a></p>
<p>Google the exact phrase “Colleges for Students with Aspergers” for a list of schools you might want to consider.</p>
<p>There is a great guidebook put out by Peterson’s about academic programs for learning disabled students who require additional support in college. By most accounts the top four
learning disabled programs are at American University, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Marist College. These are all comprehensive programs that
offer a full range of assistance, including extended testing time, note takers for classes, writing and math labs, subject tutoring and a range of additional academic and social counseling options.</p>
<p>The Peterson book sounds good, but in terms of properly supporting a student who has a diagnosis in the PDD spectrum, I think distance from home is a natural concern. Finding a college near you that will work with him (and you) at least for the first year to see how he does might be a key factor. </p>
<p>Many of the successful entries and re-entries for students with disabilities that Ive had really hinge on that right college factor. For a local college, just as an example, a psychiatric or psychological evaluation with detailed accommodation recommendations will give you a lot of latitude for him. The formula that Ive seen work, and use, is right recommendations, good accommodations, on-campus support, and social integration. The footnote to this is not a community college. They may not be equipped to handle this special case. I think the social integration factor will be important for him, since social impairments typically come with the Aspergers profile (unless its different in his case).</p>
<p>Also, what type of student is he? Ive had clients with Aspergers syndrome that ranged from mediocre to stellar in academics. I had one client last year that, academically, was ivy league material, but socially he was very awkward. This will also be a factor. Regarding, AHEAAD- Check it out, but be advised that there are many little interventions out there, especially in the PDD community, that may or may not bring benefit. Again, what Ive seen work is the basic approach of right college, recommendations, support, and integration might be worth exploring as an initial step.</p>
<p>We, too, are thinking about sending our son to a local college for one year–then transferring. My hesitation is this: are we trading in one problem for another in setting up a second transition for someone who (almost by definition) has difficulty with change?</p>
<p>From the few people I’ve met that had a similar issue, with high-functioning Aspergers or other spectrum disorders, a small LAC type of environment helped, there was less to process and the interaction with professors and staff was more intimate.
This blog by an “Aspie” from Goucher College is informative and from her point of view, along with links.
<a href=“Webs.com has been shut down: Find out more”>Webs.com has been shut down: Find out more;
<p>Its all about structure and personal assistance from professors, fellow students and even other staff members. Usually that occurs at smaller schools, but not always. UNC and Arizona are both huge schools and UNC is one of the most competitive to get into, so its a bit of a misnomer since most LD/ADHD/Aspergers Kids wont even get in there.</p>