The Autism College Connection

With the right help in school and at home, most autistic students should be thriving in mainstream classrooms by the time they get to high school. A few may even be in the top tier of their student body with straight As in AP classes and top flight SAT scores. Their schools may have decided that they no longer need an IEP. 

So, do academically-gifted autistic students need any special preparation for college? Or can we send them off just like our typical kids with a wave and a tear and our credit card? 

While high-flying autistic kids may be great at taking tests, other lingering autistic issues could take a toll in college or after graduation. The most common issues that cause problems for smart autistic young adults are anxiety, social-emotional immaturity, and poor executive function skills. 

A few high schools will help their autistic students with those three issues, but it is hardly commonplace, so parents need to explore different ways to offer support. I have suggestions! 

Here are five ways that you can make sure that your academically gifted kids are ready for college:

1. Defer admission and do a Gap Year.  A Gap Year can be a valuable way to build social skills, improve anxiety problems, and slowly ease into college. It’s a very popular option now. There are many Gap Year programs for students where they travel and have fun. 

2. Apply to a typical college with a special autism support program. Autism support programs offer more robust safety nets than the accommodations typically offered through the college disability office, like optional counseling and social groups. Some examples: 

• Ramapo College, Enhance Program
• Fairleigh Dickinson, Compass Program
• Drexel University, Center for Autism and Neurodiversity – PA
• Cornell University’s Neurodiversity @ Cornell, Ithaca, NY
• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Spectrum Support Program

3. Work together as a family to focus on stress management and organizational skills, before they leave for college. Encourage them to take a break from SAT tutoring and homework and spend your weekends together on hikes or an outdoor music festival. When choosing a college, consider small, less intensive, high support colleges that prioritize wellness. 

4. Take advantage of college summer bridge programs for autism. Examples include:

• Mercyhurst University, PA, CREATE program
• Beacon, Summer for Success
• Landmark, Summer Programs
• Aurora University, IL, Pathways College Preparation Program for Neurodiverse Students
• CIP, multiple locations, Summer Programs
• Bridges to Adelphi University (NY) 
• Fairleigh Dickinson’s Summer Experience Program (NJ)
• Westminster College (MO) College Transition Program

5. Hire private therapists and executive function coaches to provide extra help in high school and oversight in college. 

Our kids will do great in college, but some preparation outside the classroom might make the transition go a little smoother.