Educators
Autism in the Classroom: Making Education Accessible
Autistic STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer recommends families and autistic students take a self-guided campus tour. Video tour of UC Davis, packed with tips.
3 min read
Educators
47 articles in Educators
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Educators
10 Tips: Improving College Outcomes for Autistic STEM Students
Looking for the top ten tips for improving college outcomes for autistic students? Here you go! Editorial Board Members Arianne Garcia, John Caldora, and Sara Sanders Gardner put together these tips for students…
3 min read
Educators
STS @ SXSW EDU! Improving College Outcomes: Autistic STEM Students
STS is excited to present a 30-minute talk, "Improving College Outcomes: Autistic STEM Students," at this…
2 min read
Educators
Neurodiversity Hub: Global Work on Autism, College & Jobs
Earlier this summer, a tweet from Andrew Eddy of Untapped in Australia caught my eye. I reached out to learn more about his organization and their…
8 min read
Educators
Intersectionality, Autism & STEM College Outcomes
Editorial Board Member Arianne Garcia considers the way various forms of discrimination can compound negative STEM college outcomes for autistic students in relation to race, gender, and sexuality. She begins by…
11 min read
Educators
On Inclusive Hiring: Diversity Consultant Sam Ellison, Part II
In Part Two of my interview with Boston-based diversity consultant Sam Ellison, we discuss how both upper management and general employees have responsibilities when creating institutional change. ([Read Part One…
6 min read
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On Creating a STEM Familia: Dr. Lisette Torres
Dr. Lisette Torres on creating a STEM familia or family. Why a sense of connection can be important for STEM populations underrepresented in college.
5 min read
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Exploring Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment: An Interview with College Student Jake Keene
Hear about one student's experience in an inclusive concurrent enrollment program, and what he's up to in college now.
9 min read
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Supporting All STEM Learners
For many autistic and neurotypical students, college presents a depth of challenges, course material, and independence that they likely haven’t had much experience with before. UDL can support instruction and student growth.
6 min read
Educators
Rules About Technology in the Classroom: A Barrier for Students With Disabilities?
If we ban technology, we are hurting some of the most vulnerable students and infringing on their rights to access accommodations.
7 min read
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Guest Post Three: Autistic Science Person Ira Kraemer on Self-care, Disclosure, and Positive Outcomes in College
This is the final part of a three-part series about being an autistic graduate student. In [part…
7 min read
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Guest Post Two: Autistic Science Person Ira Kraemer on Challenges to STEM Education for Students Lacking a Diagnosis
I can't overstate this enough: the most important part of graduate school is finding nice people, having a kind, supportive mentor, and having peers who support each other.
5 min read
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Autistic Science Person Ira Kraemer: Transitioning to Grad School & Adjusting to the New Environment
Transitioning to any sort of new school is like taking notes in class - messy. It also feels like everyone else is walking around with a navigation system while you're just fumbling about. Sometimes though, other people let you know that they don't have a GPS either!
5 min read
Educators
On Mentorship, Lab Environments, and Job Applicant Disclosure: An Interview with Chemistry Professor Jen Heemstra
On one hand, disclosing too early could create bias that eliminates you from the competition. On the other hand, disclosing provides context that can help you have a more successful interaction with a future employer.
6 min read
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Insights in STEM: Former Department Chair and Professor of Computer Science Margie Bleichman
Faculty, ask questions and seek to understand the accommodations process to help dispel misconceptions about unfair advantages for students receiving accommodations.
3 min read
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Insights in STEM: Community College Administrator & Instructor Don Brady
Quick tips for instructors and students about supporting neurodivergent students in the college classroom.
2 min read
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College Autism & Student Variability: UDL Resources
Video interview. If you've already watched our brief videos on what UDL is, how to implement it, and tips for group work, this one can direct you to further resources.
1 min read
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Creating a College Club by and for Autistic Students
"This is the most fundamental lesson in founding an autistic student club: you are not alone": college support group founder Justin Robbins.
6 min read
Educators
Assistive Tech to Support Autistic Students in the Classroom
Video. STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer sits down with UC Davis’s Accessible Tech Analyst Joshua Hori for an overview of Livescribe Smartpen, Sonocent Audio Notetaker, and ClaroPDF.
1 min read
Educators
UDL and Autism: Simple Ideas for Group Work
Stuck in a rut with group work? This brief video offers simple steps for using UDL principles to improve your group work outcomes.
1 min read
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Universal Design Strategies: Autism & Student Difference
Simple steps for incorporating UDL principles into your pedagogy. Lecture, resource, syllabus, and assessment strategies.
1 min read
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The Autism Accommodations Process: Faculty Primer
The goal is not to provide a golden ticket to whatever a student wants. The goal is to provide them with an equitable classroom experience that gives them an equal opportunity to succeed.
7 min read
Educators
Bullying and Autism: How to Recognize Harmful Behavior and Create a Safer School Environment
When you see bullying, act. One of the most important things people can do is not to become a "passive bystander" when others are being bullied.
10 min read
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Socializing in STEM Classes and Careers, Part Two: Practical Tips for Autistic Students
Don’t be discouraged if a first or second attempt at reaching out fails—just look for the next opportunity.
5 min read
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STEM, Autism, and Building Professional Relationships: Interview with a Mentor, Part Three
To me, "honors" is about the quality of your work, the quality of your thinking. It's not about whether you can do this full time.
1 min read
Community
STEM, Autism, and Building Professional Relationships: Interview with a Mentor, Part Two
Audio interview. "It happens to people teaching in any kind of academic discipline, where students think [their instructors] can give them advice on things that they’re really not qualified to talk about. We’re discipline experts."
2 min read
Community
STEM, Autism, and Building Professional Relationships: Interview with a Mentor, Part One
Audio interview. Dr. Schalomon: "If you don't quite know what the student needs, go to the student and ask."
2 min read
Educators
Parent Perspective: Autism and Auditing Community College Classes
Video interview. Brief discussion of one student's success auditing classes on a community college campus in preparation for the transition to higher ed.
1 min read
Educators
Notes from a 2019 Talk on Autism and Employment
Be aware of unconscious bias in interviews, plan for it, and be prepared to disarm it if necessary. For example: if you find eye contact challenging, acknowledge it and then communicate that you are glad to be there and are engaged in the discussion.
3 min read
Educators
Autism & College: Autistic Culture, UDL, and Student Voices
When we talk about folding autistic and differently-abled students into community colleges and STEM careers, what we’re really talking about is best practices for everyone. It follows that when our most disadvantaged students’ needs are met, we are leveling the playing field for all, with or without a “documented need.” Thank you for believing in students like me.
2 min read
Educators
Autism, STEM, and UDL: What is Universal Design for Learning?
UDL is a framework for designing based on three broad principles tied to how our brain functions in terms of networks.
2 min read
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Alternative Grading Can Support HS Students on the Spectrum Who Want to Pursue STEM in College
What advantages are there to adjusting the traditional grading system and working on something more specific to an individual student?
1 min read
Educators
Autism, STEM, and Universal Design: Support Student Difference
Video interview. Having your syllabus state that you support students with disabilities is just one way to create inclusivity and demonstrate your support for all students.
1 min read
Educators
A Guide for Autistic Students: World Mental Health Day 2018, Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World
Young people on the spectrum often feel increased judgement and pressure to fit in with their [neurotypical] peers...We need more awareness of the mental health issues many young people on the spectrum may face.
5 min read
Educators
Autistic Sensory Sensitivity on Campus, Part Four: Coping Strategies
Sometimes it’s not possible to avoid a sensation. When you’re exposed to a distressing stimulus, try to breathe slowly and deeply.
8 min read
Educators
Five Tips for Autistic Students: How and When to Meet With a Professor
Always be respectful and professional when corresponding with a professor or course instructor. Using “Dear” to begin emails, using the professor’s last name (i.e. Professor Brown), and signing off with a “Thank you,” or “Sincerely” goes a long way!
6 min read
Educators
How Autistic Students Can Start Campus Clubs to Develop Friendships and Support Networks
The keys to starting your organization will be motivation, a specific focus, and patience with the logistics necessary to getting it running.
5 min read
Educators
Connecting to Services: Support for Your Student With a Diagnosis of Autism
Contributor Thad Campbell and social worker Matthew Morse discuss how parents of aspiring college STEM students can secure valuable HS services for them
1 min read
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Autistic Students Can Ask College Professors For These Supports
Answer questions about the syllabus. Use unambiguous language. Julia Leverone shares simple supports that autistic students can ask their professors for.
2 min read
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Interview With the Creator of "The Network": a Social Networking Program for Young Adults on the Spectrum
How joining autism-specific student groups can enhance your college experience, helping you make friends, build skills, and develop academic connections.
4 min read
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Autistic People Don't Need to Be Cured
Autism advocate Justin Robbins makes an impassioned case for a positive view of autistic experience and points out how autistic strengths can fit with STEM fields
6 min read
Educators
Case Study: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Autistic Students
How professional development workshops helped me gain valuable insight and strategies for creative instruction through the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) techniques.
3 min read
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Case Study: Classroom Strategies to Support Students on the Spectrum
College transition expert Susan Woods explains how professors can collaborate with autistic students and the Disabilities Office to support academic success
5 min read
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Template for Approaching Your Teachers About Autism
Even if you know you want to disclose your autism to a professor and know what you want to say, this template can help ensure you communicate confidently
2 min read
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Changing Perspectives About Students Who Have Autism
Advocates for autistic college students, including Editorial Board Members Sara Sanders Gardner and Theresa Revans-McMenimon, share tips for professors.
5 min read
Educators
How Greater Autism Representation Positively Impacts the Workplace
Boosting productivity is just one of the benefits to having more people who have an autism diagnosis represented in the work force. Read on to learn more.
6 min read
Educators
Tips for Teachers Engaging with Students on the Spectrum
Unsure what providing accommodations to autistic students means in practical terms? Accommodations can be easy to implement and bring positive results.
5 min read