<p>The thread 'college for high function aspergers' prompted me to start this thread. I have a 22 year old nephew who was just diagnosed with aspergers. Actually, it's not clear to me whether this was an official diagnosis or not as I heard it from my in laws (grandparents of the nephew).</p>
<p>He was a B student in high school but always had a tough time making friends and is/was socially awkward. Was accepted to a CSU (Cal Stat Univ) about an hour from home. Originally interested in technology. Things spiralled downward from there and he came home early second semester. He tried community college classes a couple of times but that didn't work out either. He has since been trying to find a job...did find one in a warehouse but was let go because he 'didn't work fast enough' and 'couldn't follow through with directions'. Really enjoys animals so got a volunteer job at a local humane society but I just found out that that didn't work out so now he's home close to 100% of the time.</p>
<p>Mom is an elementary school teacher and dad didn't go to college and is unemployed currently. Really tough situation but I think grandparents would pay if there was some type of educational opportunity for nephew (although they might also qualify for financial aid).</p>
<p>I am realizing that time is passing and it's only going to get more difficult for nephew--maybe college shouldn't be ruled out if he could be at the 'right' place with the proper help. We're not all that close but I'm realizing that SIL and her husband are at a loss and I'm thinking it might help if DH and I offered some suggestions. I will read through the other thread and check out the resources but that was for a very high achieving, academic high school student. I'm wondering how to help a B student 4+ years ago in high school student who has a future that isn't looking very bright at this point...</p>
<p>Having Aspergers’ doesn’t preclude college but it also doesn’t mean he should go to a 4 year college. There are many technical trades he could do well at if he is interested in one. He most likely should take career aptitude and interest tests to find fields that fit and he is unaware of. These are often offered at area technical schools at low or no cost (at least in WI, I assume CA has similar options). The results may surprise him and his parents. With concrete possibilities he can plan a future. It sounds like he has several problems and needs to be plugged into the system. I’m sure his father’s situation doesn’t help.</p>
<p>We don’t live in the same city and I’m not sure how to help him get “plugged into the system”. Had a long talk with dh and he spoke with MIL and in laws think SIL would be very receptive to some help/suggestions.</p>
<p>Colorado State University has a program for Aspies. A family friend went to the orientation and gave it high marks and will be attending next year.</p>
<p>(Temple Grandin teaches there.)</p>
<p>Here’s an article about it.
[Autistic</a> Kids Learn To Survive, And Thrive, In College : NPR](<a href=“Autistic Kids Learn To Survive, And Thrive, In College : NPR”>Autistic Kids Learn To Survive, And Thrive, In College : NPR)</p>
<p>I don’t know if any universities in California have a similar program, but it might be a place to start looking for info.</p>
<p>Does he need more structure? </p>
<p>Two programs that come to mind are Landmark College, which only serves students with disabilities, and the College Living Experience: [College</a> Living Experience ? A College Program for Students with Special Needs ? Home](<a href=“http://www.experiencecle.com/home.aspx]College”>http://www.experiencecle.com/home.aspx) .</p>
<p>Has he ever been tested for learning disabilities? Could he be depressed? Perhaps if the Aspergers diagnosis is recent and thorough, these questions have been answered. It will definitely inform the college search. There are also people, including therapists, who help teach how to read social cues, connect, etc. This can be done within or without a college environment, individually or as part of a group. Availability of this support can vary by region. If the social challenge is front and center, this may be a good place to start, though this reads like there may be other issues as well. </p>
<p>They are lucky to have your help. Sometimes in cities you can find help through children’s or teaching hospitals, sophisticated tutoring centers, local college student services, etc. Ask what resources people are using for… I view obtaining a complete work up (if not done previously) as critical to formulating future plans. As a young adult, it would be especially good to have knowledgeable professionals help him to understand and work with whatever the diagnosis may be. Best to all.</p>
<p>Something worth considering is that some universities have autism research centers which may provide some services separate from the college’s disabilities office, which for some reason the disabilities office may not tell you about. For example, Umich (though theirs is hard to get involved with) and Eastern Michigan University have these kinds of programs… this kid should probably be a lot closer to home than that, but that is something to look for at universities that are closer to home. A wise CCer once told me to take advantage of the opportunities a big research university could provide me as a student with AS sort of issues… in my case, this was one of them. It sounds like he needs a lot of individual attention and should be at a small school, but the right program at a big school might work, too-- it’s about finding that sweet spot where he can get what he needs, there’s no telling where that will be until you find it.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to make more specific suggestions without knowing what’s really going on here… things could “not work out” for many different reasons and the solution is different depending on what that might be. It sounds like this kid needs a psychologist in his corner to help him work that out. I had a professional in the LD office at my college who was responsible for helping me with executive functioning and to sort of grease the wheels for me… if I got myself into a situation I didn’t have the skills to get out of, she would intervene to help if she could. Someone to fill that role may be necessary for this kid to succeed if he can’t do it on his own.</p>