Colleges That Support Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

I'm trying to help my younger sibling find a college that offers strong support systems for students with autism spectrum disorder. It's really important that they have the right environment and resources to thrive academically and socially.

Does anyone have recommendations for colleges that are particularly accommodating to students with autism? I'm interested in knowing about specific programs or services these schools offer to support neurodiverse students. Any personal experiences or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Different colleges and universities certainly have varying levels of support for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While all schools are required by law to provide certain accommodations for students with disabilities, some institutions go above and beyond.

Western Michigan University (WMU) is one such school that stands out for its ASD support. WMU offers a program known as the Autism Services Center which provides a wide range of services such as one-on-one weekly meetings with ASD-trained coaches. Additionally, they also offer services that help enhance the social skills of students with ASD through group activities and events.

Similarly, Marshall University runs the College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This program provides additional academic support, help in developing social skills, and guidance in creating strategies for self-regulation.

Rutgers University is another institution that offers a program called the College Support Program (CSP) for students with ASD. The CSP offers weekly individual meetings with a CSP staff member, group sessions that address social skills and strategies for success, as well as a peer mentoring program.

Finally, Bellevue College in Washington State houses the Neurodiversity Navigators program. This program uses a strengths-based approach, and offers services like weekly check-in meetings with ASD-trained counselors, a curriculum focused on executive functioning skills development, and a special orientation week prior to the start of the academic year.

Each of these college programs offers a unique set of supports and services that can be a tremendous help for students with ASD and can influence their experience in higher education in a positive way. I would recommend reaching out to these programs directly to gather more specific information that can help guide your decision-making process.