<p>I'm posting here instead of LD site in hope a stronger response will occur. If you are aware of a student with Aspergers/high-functioning autism who is succeeding/has succeeded at college, could you please identify that college, and student's major as well. Please note whether student's parents were also happy with that student's college experience, possible pitfalls, accommodations (if any) provided, and beneficial socialization aspects of that school (if any). I'm trying to compile a list of Midwest colleges which are "welcoming" towards and suitable for a high-functioning Aspergers student presently attending college prep HS, who tests well, and has a B average. He presently receives "extended time for major tests" as only accommodation; weak social skills are his biggest shortcoming. He presents himself as a well-mannered nice guy with good grooming and attractive appearance, but has little social confidence amongst peers.</p>
<p>I've tentatively put Ripon, Lawrence, and Rose-Hulman on list.</p>
<p>Since you have Rose-Hulman on your list, I guess your kid is interested in engineering/tech majors? I’d bet that most schools that are strong in these areas would have a good number of Aspies. Missouri S&T (Rolla) comes to mind, though I have no personal experience with the school.</p>
<p>Can he manage his day to day living without you reminding him? Such as getting up on time, personal hygiene, laundry, food, managing meds, etc.</p>
<p>How much do you “support” his academics? Such as, organizing his assignments, reminding him to hand in assignments, keeping him on track and focused to work through assignments.</p>
<p>How well does he work in a group setting? Group projects, participate in classroom discussions.</p>
<p>How well does he advocate for his needs? If he’s behind or doing poorly in a class, will he take the initiative to seek out help?</p>
<p>How well will he manage living in a dorm environment? Noise, sharing bathroom, sharing space, etc.</p>
<p>How well does he adapt when things don’t go his way?</p>
<p>What is his level of independence?</p>
<p>Would it be better to have him begin at your local Community College where you can monitor his progress (academic, social, maturity, independence) for the first year or so?</p>
<p>Nysmile: Our son is fairly independent, probably more responsible than average for a teen boy. Hygiene, meds, simple food prep, responsible eating habits, homework, etc, are not worrisome. He’s a commendable advocate for himself, readily going to teachers for help, clarification, etc. Teachers like him. No IEP at private college prep, but he receives “extra time for major tests at teacher’s discretion”. He’s a “B-ish” student trending towards B+ average. He tests well on standardized tests.</p>
<p>Social confidence and self-image are biggest vulnerabilities. He sees himself as “different”, and socially rejected. Group projects can be difficult because for him, when he feels disrespected by teammates (for legitimate reasons) but he perserves. He’s a frequent participant in class discussions, commended so by teachers too. He has five HS ECs: minor sport (jv captain), school club, club sport, community service, and five SAIC art classes thus far.</p>
<p>He’s an only child with own bathroom. Sensory issues not a problem, but “sharing space” is untested. He’s ok with “things not going his way”, experiencing this feeling relatively frequently at HS and home. He sometimes gets “stony face” expression and refrains from eye-contact, flubbing social interaction with peers. </p>
<p>My goal is to find midwest colleges with an “accepting” social component, where he won’t feel lonely or too odd, and can be integral part of a social group environment. I’m not so worried about academics.</p>
<p>Some colleges have support for Asperger’s syndrome:
CMU - Achieving in Higher Education with Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
Southern Illinois University–Carbondale: ASPIRE Support Group
Wright State University: Asperger Syndrome Support Group</p>
<p>I already PMed the OP, but for anybody else who is interested, umich is currently running an asperger’s support group out of Counseling and Psychological Services-- though the woman running it is only going to be here for a year so I don’t know if the program will stay after she leaves. The disabilities office has an autisim social group that meets once a week as well, and they also have an executive functioning coach. I was able to get a single room with a private bathroom in one of the smaller residence halls (as an accommodation from housing, would not have been possible without submitting documentation and requesting it). We also have an autism research center that offers some support, and there is one at nearby EMU that apparently serves our students as well, but I have found that these places can be difficult to get into. </p>
<p>Their set up is not perfect but I have been wildly successful here. I didn’t fit the academic profile for this school when I was 18 years old, but after a couple years at a community college I was more than ready and was able to transfer. You never know how these things will work out sometimes.</p>
<p>I know a young man with Aspergers who is a sophomore at Rose- Hulman. He loves it, and the parents very happy. He is apparently doing very well academically also.</p>