Autism Friendly Colleges
The University of Arizona and Georgia State University’s Programs
May 7, 2008
Autism spectrum disorders are seen in 1 in 150 children in the United States. With all of the attention being paid to early intervention, many of these children will be able to successfully attend college alongside their typically developing peers. Several colleges in the United States understand that attending college as a young adult with an autism spectrum disorder presents unique challenges to both the student and the college. These institutions are prepared to meet these needs.
The University of Arizona
Located in Tucson, the University of Arizona has created the SALT center. “The Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center promotes the achievement of individuals with learning and attention challenges.” The SALT Center has been providing services to students for over two decades, while the center originally worked with students with a learning disability (LD) or ADHD; it has expanded to include students with a variety of challenges including those with an autism spectrum disorder.
Some of the services provided to students through the SALT Center include access to learning specialists, online workshops and psychological services. Additionally, the SALT Center also has its own intramural program, the SALT Outdoors club, a custom internship referral program and a specially designed workshop for juniors and seniors on transitioning into life after college.
Georgia State University
The Margaret A. Staton Office of Disability Services at Georgia State University (GSU) provides students with the extra support that they need throughout their college career. According to the GSU website, “the Office of Disability Services (ODS) will work with any student who has a disability (Physical, Health, Learning, Psychological, etc.) to ensure meaningful access to the goods and services offered by GSU. To achieve this goal, academic accommodations are often made on behalf of the student.”
Students who are serviced through GSU’s Office of Disability Services can receive help with assistive devices, adaptive hardware and software, note taking, test accommodations, priority registration, learning strategies and advocacy.
As teenagers with autism embark on their high school career, they can now begin to plan their lives after high school as their typically-developing peers do. Attending college is a rite of passage for so many young adults but this transition is difficult for everyone involved. Parents of teenagers with an autism spectrum disorder are able to feel more confident in this transition knowing that universities are prepared to handle the unique challenges of educating their child. For more information on the topic, read Transitions for Autistic Teens.
Sources:
University of Arizona SALT Center
Georgia State University Office of Disability Services
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