The Parent's Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum [Paperback]

Jane Thierfeld Brown (Author), EdD (Author), Lorraine Wolf (Author), PhD (Author), Lisa King MEd (Author), G. Ruth Bork (Author), MEd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2012

Sending a son or daughter off to college is daunting and fear-provoking experience for most parents, but if your child has an autism spectrum disorder, the challenge is magnified many times over. Even high-functioning students with excellent academic preparation face difficulties in higher education, primarily related to communication, social skills, and sensory-based issues. For many, the accommodations and special interventions that supported them in high school will no longer be available on a college campus. This parent-friendly book, made especially so because it is written by parents, who also are autism professionals, takes the fear and mystery out of the college experience. Learn how to select the right campus, how to work with Disability Services staff, what legal protections apply, how to prepare your son or daughter to be an effective self-advocate on campus, what assistance can be reasonably be expected from residence hall managers, faculty, and much, much more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Parents need to teach their kids basic skills like shopping, ordering food in restaurants, doing laundry, being on time, personal hygiene, and waking themselves up. These skills should be taught long before the child goes to college. They are part of growing up and necessary for succeeding in college. Still, the biggest obstacle for most autistic students is learning to do well in social situations. For example, I had to learn that it was O.K. to cry if I was frustrated on the job rather than lashing out physically. A high-tech company will not fire you for crying, but they will if you throw things or hit others. The authors of this book present clear strategies for families and students with autism to use starting as early as in middle school and going up to college graduation and on to employment. Hard work, the ability to work with others, and clear expectations will get young people where they want to be --Temple Grandin, PhD, author of Thinking in Pictures and The Way I See It

For parents whose adolescent with autism spectrum disorders is considering college, this practical book is an invaluable guide to evaluating college readiness, strengthening key skills, identifying the right match, ensuring the smoothest possible transition, and creating a safety net to maximize the chances of a successful college experience. The authors sage advice and strategies come from years of personal and professional experience. This is THE book our staff recommend to families and educators! --Dania Jekel, MSW, executive director, Asperger s Association of New England

This book is a true gift to the ASD community. The authors have combined their extensive knowledge and personal experiences to offer a road map to anyone supporting a college-bound student with ASD. The information is clear, ordered, and honest. Charts, tables, and scenarios illustrate possible challenges a student might encounter on campus and serve as checklists along the way. I recommend this book to parents, special education teachers, high school guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, and the students themselves. --Kari Dunn Buron, MS, autism education specialist, educator and author of The Incredible 5-Point Scale (co-author), A 5 Is Against the Law, and Learners on the Autism Spectrum: Preparing Highly Qualified Educators (co-editor)

About the Author

Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D., is director of Student Services at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She has worked in disability services for 27 years. She received her Ed.D. from Columbia University. She consults at many higher education institutions and is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences on Asperger Syndrome. Lorraine Wolf, Ph.D., is director of Disability Services at Boston University, where she also holds faculty appointments in psychiatry and rehabilitation sciences. She received a master's degree in general psychology from New York University and a doctorate in neuropsychology from City University of New York. With more than 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with neurodevelopmental disorders, Lori has published and presented extensively on issues related to students with attention and learning disorders, psychiatric disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders. Lisa King, MEd, is a co-director of College Autism Spectrum, an educational consulting company that provides training and guidance to colleges regarding best practices for working with students on the autism spectrum, in addition to working directly with students on the spectrum and their families as they transition to, through, and beyond college. Additionally, she serves as an access consultant for St. Catherine University. Under the guidance of colleagues and co-authors, Jane Thierfeld Brown and Lorraine Wolf, Ms. King led a two-year pilot program at the University of Minnesota implementing a new model of service: Strategic Education for Asperger Students. She is a wife to Chris and mother of Ian and Bryn. G. Ruth Kukiela Bork, M.Ed., is dean and director of the Disability Resource Center at Northeastern University where she also received her master s degree. Her professional involvement in disability affairs and advocacy spans 34 years. She is a founding member of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and has written and spoken on a wide range of disability-related topics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: AAPC Publishing (January 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934575895
• ISBN-13: 978-1934575895
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Special Education > Behavioral Disorders