How to Select Colleges for Students with Asperger’s Syndrome

Posted 09-08-2013

Every parent wants their child to go to the college best suited for them. So how can students with Asperger’s Syndrome make the best selection to further their education? Asperger’s is a developmental disorder that affects one’s social and communication skills. Awkward social behavior is quite common.  This should never hold back students from furthering their education through college, even though Asperger’s can pose as a difficultly. Here are some things to look for when selecting the right college environment for your child with Asperger’s:

A key thing to look for is the college’s academic accommodations. Many colleges offer alternative test taking outside the classroom, test preparation and homework help. Look for colleges and universities with polices that allow extra time for exams and calculator use when necessary for students with Asperger’s Syndrome.

On top of academic accommodations schools may also provide special programs that will counsel, mentor and provide social and educational help your child adjust to college life. Programs like stress management and nutrition education can further help your child’s transition to college life.

One thing to consider is the college’s distance from home. Typically colleges put freshmen up in dorms with a roommate. This may cause some difficulties for your child’s social life. Some colleges offer single dorm rooms that can help ease some tension when your child is in unfamiliar territory. Also, you can look into colleges close to home; so your child has an easy commute to come home on weekends.  This is a personal decision and should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Talk with your trusted mental health professional and most importantly your child.

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Sources:

EHow.com