Colleges with a good autism support program?

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
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<p>My older brother is a senior in high school this year, and he's on the autism spectrum (I don't remember whether the official diagnosis was high-functioning autism or Asperger's, as the diagnosis was ~15 years ago).</p>

<p>He's a smart kid, but he takes a long time to get any homework done as he struggles with both reading comprehension and time management. Because of that, his only AP is US Gov, which he's currently in. However, he has taken several honors science courses and is currently in pre-calculus. He took the SAT back in June and got an 1850 cumulative score on it, but I don't know how the points divide other than math was his highest section. He'll be taking the October ACT. </p>

<p>However academically smart he may be, his social skills vary between high school senior and kindergartner, averaging out to early middle school (basically, he looks 17/18 but acts about 12 most of the time).</p>

<p>With that in mind, what colleges have good programs and high support levels for kids with ASD, as well as some sort of civil engineering/geology/geography major? So far, he's looked at:</p>

<p>-the local public university, which, while it has a good disability program, focuses more on people with physical disabilities; it also doesn't have a civil engineering major, which is what he's shown the most interest in, but it does have a geography major.
-Western Kentucky University; he LOVED the geology department and spoke with one of their professors, as well as the director of their autism support group.
-Marshall University; he hasn't gone on a tour there yet but I think he's planning to.</p>

<p>He also likes the local Catholic university's civil engineering program, but mom worries about the cost and the lack of a support group.</p>

<p>Alternate routes, should college not be a good option, include the local community college for two years before transferring and attending the vocational school in the area for a year or two before going to college. Of these routes, he seems to like the first one better, but overall would prefer going directly to a four-year school.</p>

<p>Any and all insight is helpful!</p>

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<p>Hi, Marshall is an excellent choice. “The College Program” is their Aspergers/ASD support program and is very good. Mercyhurst in Erie has a renowned (“AIM”) program, but may not have his intended major as it is smaller. My son attended their summer program for high school students. St. Joseph’s in Philly and Farleigh Dickenson in NJ also have ASD programs. However, if there is a school you like that does not have on-campus support, you can contract with a nationwide program called AHEADD that provides great support on an individual basis. Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>@sonnyday‌ Thanks! He’s scheduled for a Marshall visit next week, so we’ll see how that goes. I will also suggest the other options to him, but as deadlines are closing in and he has yet to start any sort of app, I think he’ll likely stick with the three I mentioned.</p>

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<p>You may want to check out Landmark College, a school specifically for those with learning troubles.</p>

<p>More about ASD help here: <a href=“http://www.landmark.edu/campus-life/vice-president-for-student-affairs/asd-program”>http://www.landmark.edu/campus-life/vice-president-for-student-affairs/asd-program&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>However, the only four year degree they offer is a BA in Liberal Studies-<a href=“http://www.landmark.edu/academics/degree-and-credit-options/”>http://www.landmark.edu/academics/degree-and-credit-options/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>They do though, have some good courses, listed here:
<a href=“http://www.landmark.edu/m/uploads/2014-15_College_Bulletin_FINAL.pdf”>http://www.landmark.edu/m/uploads/2014-15_College_Bulletin_FINAL.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@slights32 Thanks for the info – on the suggestion list it goes.</p>

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<p>UPDATE FOR ANYONE WHO CARES:</p>

<p>He took the October ACT with extended time and got a 29 :-bd before a University of Cincinnati visit a couple of weeks ago with our mom that included and meetings with the head of disability services and a geography professor (which apparently went pretty well), plus he finally submitted his first college app this weekend to the local public university! </p>

<p>Luckily for him, that app required no essay writing and the school’s rolling admissions with a very high admit rate (it’s known on CC mostly for its musical theater program), so as soon as he sends in the transcript sometime this week he’ll probably have his first fat envelope by the end of January! One app down, and at least one to go if Mom has her way.</p>

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<p>That’s great news - thanks for the update! We have found the disabilities office at my son’s university to be SO helpful. They are wonderful advocates and always available when he needs them. They never talk down to him, either. </p>

<p>I think it’s great you’re so interested in your big brother. He is lucky to have you! :)</p>

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<p>The parent of a smart spectrum peer of my daughters says her son loves WKU. </p>

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ANOTHER UPDATE:

He looks to be a one-and-done kid as he just heard back yesterday. He’s in! :smiley:

He plans on commuting from home for the first year or two, then possibly transferring (though not sure where). Thanks for everyone’s input.

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YET ANOTHER UPDATE:

He’s been offered a spot in the honors program and most likely will be accepted. If he’s accepted, he might put down a housing deposit and live in the honors dorms, but he’s still probably going to commute. He’s retaking the ACT in April and aiming for a 30+ so he can get a full-tuition scholarship; however, I personally think this’ll be a bit of a stretch, but still worth a shot nonetheless. Finally, he’s decided on a geography major for now; class registration opens up in … mid-April, I believe? Anyway, he’s not sure if he’ll start off with just 4 classes or go with 5. Baby steps.

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WKU? There is a successful program called “PEERS” which is a format that they meet weekly for 20 weeks (I think). Both the student and a parent attend the sessions. There is a book with accompanying DVD available, but it is rapidly being adopted nationally and worldwide. If your brother has the time, and if WKU has the program, he may want to attend. Here is a link to a free webinar (through Autism Ontario) on the program:

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=851309&sessionid=1&key=CD53A087382A0FD964381D9AA78E6DA8&sourcepage=register

The book:

http://www.amazon.com/Science-Making-Friends-DVD-Challenged/dp/1118127218/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425340110&sr=1-1&keywords=elizabeth+laugeson

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@ItsJustSchool‌ WKU’s a 4+ hour drive from our house, so it’d be a stretch. He’s happy with the local school for now, but is considering transferring to WKU later on. Thanks for the links – will definitely share with my mom & brother.

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Knox.

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Any thoughts on Mitchell College in New London, CT? They have a one year transitional program called Thames Academy and we are looking at it seriously. Thoughts?