Starting our search for a good college for computer science degree with strong Aspie supports. Our son is gifted when it comes to anything related to computers and video game design. He’s social but struggles with executive functioning. Intellectually we’re told he’ll be fine in college but will need supports with independent living skills and executive functioning. I’ve been looking at lists of colleges with Aspie programs, but have been warned that there’s a variance in what they offer.
here is a link to a discussion from 2013 for a similar student.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/15994561#Comment_15994561
I’ve heard repeatedly the RPI is great for both CS and supporting LD Aspies. This is from the page I linked above.
"He will be attending RPI in the fall, majoring in Game Simulation Arts and Science… with a computer science discipline. We choise that school based on the program and yes, money. Yes, I am very nervous about the course load and the competitive nature of the students. He is not competitive at all, and tends to fall behind in most class assignments. BUT the good thing about RPI, is there is an academic counseling department - they will have his IEP from high school and will assign councilors and peer councilors immediately.
I have heard that Rochester Institute of Technology has a solid ASD support/mentor system…
you may also want to check out SALT program at U of Arizona
Thanks for the great info!
Anyone heard about the ASD programs at Drexel and Rutgers? They have strong CS schools.
Some time ago folks were talking about an ASD support program at University of Alabama and a CS program, and I believe a program at MIT has been mentioned as well.
Rutgers is a huge university . My kid with learning issues found it to be very impersonal. Also, no one is directly admitted to the CS program there. You wait until mid-sophomore year. Lots of hoop jumping at Rutgers - can even be intimidating to the perfect Type A student. We focused on smaller universities with a CS program. We are NJ residents and DS17 committed to NJIT. We have been in touch with their disability services, and they have been very helpful.
I am also a college prof. Executive functioning issues are a big hurdle, especially in college. I think parents may have too much expectations from the support systems available at universities. At many universities, including mine, it is the student’s responsibility to process all the paperwork and scheduling for alternate timings of exams. Students with poor executive skills often flounder at this basic task, as well as other class related items. They may be intellectually capable of handling the classes, but navigating all the other stuff makes it harder. Many college bureaucracies are not set up for student success, unfortunately.