See also: Our Team • Training Schedule • Testimonials & Kudos
COLLEGE COUNSELING
[1 session – $250, 3 sessions – $650]
Students with ASD often have unique needs for support in areas that colleges are not mandated to provide. In depth understanding of a student’s strengths and challenges and an institution’s ability to support them is essential in facilitating a successful experience. Our team of Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D, Lisa King, M.Ed., Dr. Lorraine Wolf, Ph.D. and Laurie Ackles, MSW, has over 90 years of combined experience in disability service provision in a variety of college environments, including 4 year, public, private and professional institutions of higher education as well as 2 year community college and technical schools.
As long-time members of our respective state and national professional organizations, we have links to colleges and programs throughout the country. We will help you locate an appropriate college setting for your son or daughter with ASD by:
- Supporting students and families through the application and admission process
- Assessing services and accommodations needed by the student and determining college’s abilities to provide needed services
- Determine appropriate colleges and/or programs
- Reviewing student’s past and current documentation
- Critique of college essay
CAREER COUNSELING
[1 session – $250, 3 sessions – $650]
Work with a team member includes:
Session 1:
Understanding of student’s educational journey, skills/strengths, challenges/concerns. Examination of previous work/volunteer experiences. Dialog around job search activities to date, barriers faced, job search resources utilized. Discussion of employment goals, disclosure decisions. Potential resources, staying motivated, creating an action plan.
Session 2:
Marketing yourself including strengthening your resume, creating on online presence Job search correspondence such as cover letter, follow-up. Dialog around personal presentation. Basic interviewing including selling yourself. Developing a job search plan including networking, job search activities, strategies for phone interviews. Organizing your job search.
Session 3:
Behavioral based interviewing, developing your stories related to teamwork, motivation, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication.
Homework between sessions: resume work, cover letter/follow-up/outreach, identifying and applying to opportunities, practice interview questions
STUDENT SUPPORT
Students with autism spectrum disorders often have no trouble meeting the entrance criteria to the college of their choice, yet once there, have extreme difficulty navigating the academic and social complexities inherent in the college experience. Many lack the self- management skills needed to independently organize and integrate all aspects of college life. Stress of transition can inhibit a student’s ability to know who and when to ask for help. The transition to work can present unique challenges as well. Students and graduates with autism spectrum disorders often need additional support in preparing for employment and in navigating the job search process.
CAS consultants can provide a link between the individual system through coaching. These include:
- Transitioning from home to campus life and from college to work
- Introducing appropriate college and career resources
- Managing time and scheduling skills
- Teaching self-advocacy and disclosure
- Teaching stress management
- Developing scripts and role-playing
- Setting goals: academic, co-curricular and career related
SERVICES FOR PROFESSIONALS
Colleges and Universities: The increasing numbers of students on the autism spectrum entering post-secondary education present higher education institutions with challenges previously not at issue. Impacts outside of the academic realm may be unique for DS providers to consider. Academic and student affairs offices are sometimes faced with behavior management and conduct issues, sensory and stress management issues. Students with autism spectrum disorders sometimes do not disclose until there is a problem: therefore pro-active, campus wide training and awareness is critical for a successful interface between the institution and student. A major thrust of our work is providing training to professional staff and faculty on campus. Based on each college’s unique environment, we provide:
- Individualized, advanced training for college personnel
- Disability providers, administrators, career services, academic and student affairs offices
- Modules on how to work with students with AS on college campuses
- Modules on preparing students for the transition to employment
- Education on developing accommodations and support services
- Understanding academic and non-academic issues for students on the spectrum
- Assistance in working with challenging behaviors
- Understanding how to work with parents of students with AS
- Development and implementation of programs
SERVICES FOR K-12 SCHOOLS AND AGENCIES
Transitioning from high school to the postsecondary world is difficult for all students. This is more prevalent for students with ASD, because the symptoms of the condition may not be fully realized or addressed in the secondary environment. Secondary systems and the families they serve are largely unaware of the all-encompassing differences between high school and college as well as the impact these differences can have on the student if not prepared well in advance. College Autism Spectrum professionals have extensive K12 experience and provide workshops for high school educators and administrators, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and other interagency supports targeting:
- How to prepare students on the spectrum for the college option
- Developing self-advocacy skills
- Understanding documentation requirements needed at the post-secondary level
- How to assist parents in supporting the transition process
- How to help individuals with ASD gain insight into their disability and the ways in which it affects areas of functioning in higher education settings
- Differences in legislation of IDEA and ADA