College Support Options for Autistic Students

College Support Options for Autistic Students

Like their peers, many autistic students attend college. Of the 50,000 teens on the spectrum graduating from high school annually in the United States, at least a third of them pursue higher education (Shattuck, et al., 2012; Wei, et al., 2015). However, their...
Autism Disclosure and College

Autism Disclosure and College

In my work helping autistic students apply to college, the question of disclosure comes up frequently. I think it’s important for people to become comfortable with their authentic selves, and I usually disclose my own autism to families early on to set an example....
Getting Into College Is the Easy Part

Getting Into College Is the Easy Part

When helping students apply to college, I am deeply impressed by their persistence in writing and rewriting what sometimes seems like an endless stream of essays. Every fall we eagerly await that exciting news flash: You’re in! And then the real work begins. Yes,...
Should You Disclose a Disability When Applying to College?

Should You Disclose a Disability When Applying to College?

I’m often asked whether students with disabilities should discuss their diagnoses on college applications. It’s a great question, and a very personal decision. In general, there’s no reason to assume that disclosure will either help or hurt a...
7 Things Students with Disabilities Should Do When Starting College

7 Things Students with Disabilities Should Do When Starting College

Students with disabilities may have tremendous potential as well as exceptional needs. But to fulfill that potential in college, they need to be sufficiently prepared, because the transition from high school involves a huge increase in independence. Here are seven key...