College Search and Autism: Ask the RIght Questions
Joanna Nesbit at US News:
“In 2000, there were two specialized autism support programs, and now in 2024, there are close to 100,” says Jane Thierfeld Brown, director of College Autism Spectrum, an independent organization with resources for autistic students, families, schools and professionals. “Colleges are really listening and looking at enhanced services and programs.”
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Besides services for autism, students should think about what else is important to them. Considerations may include major, school size, distance from home, whether religion is important, ethnic and cultural groups and other factors, experts say.
Even the weather may be a consideration if you don’t like wearing a heavy coat, says Lorre Wolf, founding consultant with College Autism Spectrum and former director of disability and access services at Boston University in Massachusetts.
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As your family explores campuses, seek answers to the following questions, particularly for schools without autism support programs. Those answers will guide your college search.
- Has the college staff worked with many autistic students, and do they have training in the area?
- What kind of special programming is available, if any?
- How strong is the disability services relationship with other campus offices, including residence life, academic advising, student employment and student mental health? How closely do the offices work together?
- Are single rooms a possibility?
- How many credits are required per term? Can a student attend less than full time and still live in a residence hall?
- What is the availability of mental health therapists or crisis counselors?
- What is the caseload of disability services?
- How often do students usually meet with a disability services professional?
“We encourage families to call and interview the disabilities office,” Wolf says.
