College is already hectic for everyone who chooses to enroll in it. But it is more demanding for a first-time student with Autism.
There is an excellent level of independence for everyone who starts college, and the previous assistance you once dies down.
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face many more complex challenges than the regular student.
More students with this disorder have decided to go to college, pushing this disability backward and forging towards obtaining better chances at life and getting certified in education.
Many professors, campus staff, and lecturers do not even know these students live amongst them, which shortens the chances of caring for them.
What every ASD student craves is proper care for them by those in charge of looking after them.
To help autistic students integrate successfully with the school community, it is essential to note that colleges have different responsibilities from K-12 regarding accommodating autistic students.
In this article, I will share the accommodations colleges have for students with autism spectrum disorder and ready staff that can handle them appropriately.
What is Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or Autism, is a broad term that refers to a group of neurodeveloed disorders.
There are differences in communication and social interaction that this condition brings. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently exhibit restricted, repetitive interests or behavioral patterns.
ASD affects people worldwide regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, or socioeconomic status.
ASD is diagnosed more frequently in boys than in girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The first step a parent should take towards helping their ward secure the best accommodation for ASD students is to get proper medical documentation to prove that their kids have this disorder and deserve to get adequate treatment.
It is not something to be ashamed of, thereby putting the child’s life at risk.
Families should also acquaint themselves with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which gives a compulsory mandate for accommodating people with disabilities in universities and colleges.
Communication with parents is an integral part of the accommodation process in high school; unless there is a contrary court order, college students are considered their legal guardians.
Parents have no access to student information unless the student in writing consents to it.
Most college DSS personnel recognize this is a difficult time for students and parents, and they welcome parental involvement in the accommodation process.
However, most DSS offices require students to initiate the accommodations request, articulate their needs, and pursue resources rather than relying on parents to advocate.
What causes Autism?
Autism spectrum disorder has no real known cause; as complex as this disorder is, the symptoms also vary. However, genetics and environment play a significant role in this disorder.
In genetics, several genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be related to their genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome.
For another set of children, genetic mutations may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder and is mainly a gene change in the family.
At the same time, environmental factors such as viral infections, pregnancy complications, and air pollutants can also cause this disorder.
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Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability from brain differences.
Anyone who has Autism spectrum disorder will have problems with social communication, and interacting with either a person or a crowd will be hard.
People with this disorder have different learning and moving modes and comprehend things separately.
Social communication and interaction skills are very challenging for people with autism. The following are a few characteristics that anyone with this disorder exhibits.
- They tend to avoid or keep a bit of eye contact
- They don’t respond to their names even by nine months of age
- They have a stale face that does not show happiness, sad, surprise, or anger at nine months old
- They rarely use the goodbye gesture or any other gesture at 1 year of age
Repetitive or restricted behaviors of interest amongst these are very unusual. The following is a list of the repetitive or restricted behavior they possess.
- They get pissed up quickly if the queue gets distorted after lining up toys.
- They tend to repeat words over and over again. (this syndrome is called echolalia)
- They play with their toys the same way. No new change to how they play
- They are easily obsessed with things that interest them.
The other characteristics will include the following:
- Delayed language speaking skills
- Delayed movement (walking, running, and jumping) skills
- They tend to have delayed cognitive and learning skills
- They have epilepsy or seizures, mostly
- They have unusual eating and sleeping habits
- They have emotional reactions on the extreme side
It is necessary to note that kids with this disorder may not have all these traits at once, but as they grow, it pops open.
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The professor’s support
Many professors do not know how to support students living and studying with this disorder.
It scares some professors to death to see someone with this disorder, while stereotypes easily influence others in the media.
The most exciting thing any professor should do is to accept the student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and agree that they are different from the other students and require unique accommodation and learning at a much slower pace.
For instance, a student may ask a question, and a few minutes later, an ASD student may pop up with the same question.
It is pertinent that the professor sees that he or she does not get offended by this because these students tend to ask and hear things twice to comprehend correctly.
Sometimes an ASD student may experience a meltdown due to something unpleasant such as either loud music or lighting in an environment.
Having a good plan to leave the classroom at that moment for a calmer space can be very helpful to their mental health.
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Dorm life
Staying on campus can be a big problem for students living with ASD.
Some students may have issues sharing a room, while others may accept staying with the crowd but keeping a safe distance from everyone.
Dorms can be boisterous and loud most times, so it is essential for resident dorm directors to understand that they have a student or many students living with ASD who might likely not socialize. They may need special arrangements during these periods.
A setup for a single empty room should be made available for anyone with ASD during periods when it gets choking; the person can retire to that space to be okay.
The lighting system should be void of CFL bulbs as these bulbs raise the bar for migraine and unnecessary instability among students with ASD.
Section 504 and IDEA require K -12 schools to evaluate a student suspected of having a disability at no cost to this student. Still, colleges are not legally required to pay for this, so they likely leave the bills to the parents to carry out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on College Accommodation For Autism
Low-Distraction Work Areas.
Printed Schedules of Activities & Events.
Visual Cues for Common Requests.
Earplugs.
Many persons on the autism spectrum continue to live at home or with close relatives. Companionship, housekeeping, therapy, other medical and health services, and personal care are all examples of in-home services that can be provided when more assistance is required.
Social interactions, loud or chaotic situations, acute sensory stimulation, and changes in normal routines are all things that may present difficulties for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), formerly known as Asperger’s Disorder, while at school.
Most kids with autism spectrum disorder can thrive in a family setting. A residential setting is the best option for some kids because of how much help they need. A group home may not be the best option when dealing with these issues, and instead, an institutional setting may be more suitable.
Conclusion:
Colleges within a two-mile radius are best for anyone to send their kids suffering from ASD, as returning home annually is guaranteed for these students.
Smaller colleges offer the best requirement as the classes are small and won’t contain enough persons to cause harm to these autistic students.
In the long run, parents need to guide their wards toward picking the best school that has the care of people living with ASD as a priority.
Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.
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