My son is dx’d with Asperger’s Syndrome … He goes to a special needs school and is bright and very high functioning … He’s in 10th grade now. He really loves his music and mixes and produces his own stuff and has a network online – facebook, soundcloud, youtube that seems to appreciate his work … I suggested that Music or Sound Engineering might be a cool way to take something he loves and make a living at it and he’s open to that … I’m wondering what schools you think would work for him and offer this type of a major? This is all new to us. We’re in NYC and I’m not 100% sold on the idea of him going away right away but figured we’d still look at options. Thanks for your help!
There are a number of subfields in sound engineering - this list might be a good place to begin: http://www.aes.org/education/directory/
I don’t know if it would be a fit in other regards but Berklee in Boston comes to mind. It is in the city, and am not sure how they do with any kind of accommodations. The students tend towards hipster. Music/sound engineering is a popular major.
Also try looking for colleges with Aspergers support programs and see if any are on both lists.
http://www.collegeautismspectrum.com/collegeprograms.html
Also check out RIT: https://www.rit.edu/cast/ectet/engineering-technology-minors
and also they have a great spectrum support program
Does your son play an instrument? Berklee admission is mostly based on an audition. You cannot attend Berklee if you do not play an instrument pretty proficiently.
http://www.capital.edu/Music-Technology/
We have a friend that did the non-audition program and is successfully employed.
This would be far from you, but maybe you have a small college nearby with a similar program.
The conservatory of music at SUNY Purchase has a terrific Studio Production major you could check out.
I have a relative who’s doing graduate work in music technology at NYU. Not sure if that would be too expensive/intense for your S but it seems to be a pretty well regarded program and it’s in the city. There’s also a music tech program at SUNY Brooklyn College. As a high schooler, a program like this might be a way to test the waters next summer: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/summer/simpt (I noticed that they offered both a housing and commuting option).
This kind of program is available at countless colleges and conservatories. Check out Ithaca, Northeastern, UMass Lowell…well, I could go on and on. Some state universities and colleges have programs as well.
I suggest posting this on the music forum. However, be aware there is a lot of confusion about terms. Sound engineering, music production, music technology, studio production… and other terms …are used so when you post or when you look at schools, just know there is a terminology problem!
Cool that he is doing this- sounds like a great kid!
My son has been around music and musicians for 9 years now and in music programs. I know many of his friends and people he has met have had Aspergers. I think you are not alone and am sure there is probably support at most “arts type schools”.
I’ve heard good things about this program also https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/music
Look at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
Also ask in the Music subforum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/
And SUNY Purchase has Spectrum Support: https://www.purchase.edu/offices/disability-resources/programs/cornerstone-program/
Take a look at Full Sail in Florida. It is a 20 month program and runs a little differently than your traditional college program. https://www.fullsail.edu/area-of-study/music-recording