Families
Interview with Autistic Self-Advocate Haley Moss
I reached out to Haley Moss a few months ago about conducting an interview around autistic self-advocacy, and I was so pleased when she agreed to…
12 min read
All articles
42 articles
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Students
STEM Jobs That Don't Require Four-Year Degrees
Rewarding STEM Jobs are available to autistic students without a 4-year degree. STEM career paths take many forms. Learn how to best pursue your interests.
6 min read
Students
Autism & Setting SMART Goals at College
Autism and setting SMART goals. Learn this method of organizing and achieving meaningful goals. Terrific self-advocacy skills for college.
7 min read
Families
An Introduction for Autistic Students: the Social Dynamics of College and University Classrooms
Social dynamics of college classrooms for autistic students. STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer gives an overview of how college differs from high school.
9 min read
Families
Campus Tour for Autistic Students
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.
1 min read
Students
If and When to Disclose Your Autism in College
Should you disclose your autism in college? STEM graduate Justin Robbins shares the pros and cons based on his college experience.
5 min read
Families
Disability Services Offices (DSO) & Autism in College
Video interview. Patrick Dwyer and UC Davis Disability Specialist Dr. Joseph Spector discuss the role of Disability Services Offices on campuses.
1 min read
Students
Tips for Autistic Students: Attending Academic and Scholarly Conferences
Worried about someone saying something rude or inappropriate about your research? STEM grad student Laura Gilmour shares key presentation and conference pointers.
1 min read
Students
Establishing an Autism Peer Support Community
However, before you despair and conclude that facilitating a peer-support group is not for you, please remember that things usually sound more complicated written out on paper than they are in practice!
15 min read
Educators
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
Families
"Get Ready, Do, Done" Model: Support Executive Functioning for Autistic Students
Speech and language pathologist Katie Matthews introduces students to “Get Ready, Do, Done” a useful model that supports executive functioning challenges. She then takes a deeper dive into the model, sharing how it can…
9 min read
Families
Autism Support Services: What's Available in College
Video. Brief overview of the kinds of supports students and families can expect in the college environment. Can vary a lot by institution.
1 min read
Families
Insight for Autistic Students and Their Families About Developing Self-Advocacy Skills: Two Studies on Emerging Adulthood
What can you do as a parent to act in “autonomy-supportive” ways? We’re glad you asked! You can support developmental processes in an independence-focused and communication-driven environment at home.
9 min read
Families
Spectrum Q & A With College Transition Consultant Susan Woods: Preparing for Independence
Video interview. How should families navigate the transition from HS to college with their autistic student? Steps to take now for increased self-advocacy and for encouraging internal motivation.
1 min read
Families
Finding the Right Fit: Good Tech Internships and Jobs Empower Autistic Students
If you are trying to break into software engineering, I can’t recommend sites like HackerRank enough--they’ll get you used to approaching problems in a systematic way that will come in handy in interviews.
9 min read
Students
Tips for Autistic Students: How to Make the Most of a Tutoring Session
Different ways to access tutoring support. Tips about how to prepare for different kinds of tutoring sessions for autistic students.
5 min read
Educators
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
Students
Autistic Sensory Sensitivity on Campus, Part Six: Food in Dorms & Residence Halls
In this series, autistic STEM grad student Patrick Dwyer takes a deep dive into sensory sensitivity on campus. These blogs…
6 min read
Families
Autistic and Transitioning to College? What Students and Families Need to Know
Video with subtitles. A brief but wide-ranging exploration of what a successful transition takes and how to achieve it.
1 min read
Families
What Autistic Students Can Learn Through Self-Guided Campus Tours
Video. The transition to university is major, major change, right? And, autistic people, we often thrive on predictability. It's really valuable to spend some time exploring the physical environment of a university campus before you start.
1 min read
Families
Student Reflection: Transitioning from High School to College as an Autistic STEM Student
Video Interview. Founding the Coalition for Autism Support at Tufts (CAST) created a sense of community that...I thought I would never have.
1 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
Families
Students on the Spectrum and Choosing a College Therapist
Interview. Availability for college students is important as well. Do therapists have office hours that coincide with their class schedule? What is their availability in between appointments if a need arises?
8 min read
Students
Patrick Pontificates: An Autistic STEM Grad Student Says, "Go to Office Hours!"
You know how Dumbledore in Harry Potter says, “Help is given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it?” I think that should be my new motto when writing about college, because help is given at college to those who ask for it.
6 min read
Families
Parent Perspective: Autism and the College Transition
Video interview. If transitioning to college becomes part of your everyday conversation, it becomes much easier for students to adapt.
1 min read
Students
Finding the Right Fit: Things for Autistic Students to Think About When Choosing College Classes
Talk with your professors about your potential needs, whether that means a quiet testing environment, extended time on projects, or organizational assistance.
4 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
Families
An Autistic Student's Positive College Transition in STEM
Align your strengths with your interests. Find a supportive mentor. Be willing to accept some trial-and-error. Autistic students can succeed in STEM.
1 min read
Families
The Ultimate College Guide: Lists, Schedules, and Calendars for Autistic Students
Scheduling your time well is one of the simplest and most effective strategies to achieving success at college! But how can we schedule our time well? Read on to find out.
13 min read
Families
Autistic Self-Advocacy and STEM: A College Journey
Laura Gilmour shares her journey from new student learning about college expectations to confident graduate student conducting her own STEM research.
1 min read
Students
Autistic and Unsure About How to Approach Your Professors? Dr. Julia Leverone Walks You Through the Steps
Dr. Julia Leverone demystifies the process of talking to college professors for autistic students and explains why it can be helpful to approach them.
1 min read
Educators
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: 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
Students
Autism & Understanding Common Syllabus Phrases
Say what? Contributor Katie Matthews breaks down some common syllabus phrases for autistic students, helping to make course expectations clearer.
6 min read
Students
Autism and Understanding Unwritten College Expectations: Part One, Syllabus Overview
Consider the syllabus a mini-rule book. These documents can be upwards of seven or eight pages (yikes!), but Katie Matthews helps students sort it all out.
6 min read
Educators
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
Families
Senior Year: Seven Steps Autistic Students Should Take to Prepare for College
Taking campus tours, exploring student activities, and accepting a little anxiety. Things autistic students can do to make college transition, well, if not "a breeze," a little less intimidating!
4 min read
Educators
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
Families
Junior Year: Five Things Students on the Spectrum Should Do to Prepare for College
What academic, professional, and social skills are you hoping to develop? Is a four-year college, a two-year program, or technical certificate the right fit? Having clear and realistic goals will prepare you for the next steps.
4 min read
Families
Three Essential Ways to Support Your Autistic Student's Transition to College
Be prepared to step back. This might be easier said than done, but treating your autistic student like an adult is key to their academic growth.
4 min read