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Scott Michael Robertson Ph.D. Candidate (IST) Penn State University srobertson@ist.psu

C ollege Transition for Students On The Autism Spectrum: Integrating Interdisciplinary Perspectives From Personal Experience, Research, & Autistic Self-Advocacy. Scott Michael Robertson Ph.D. Candidate (IST) Penn State University srobertson@ist.psu.edu. www.autisticadvocacy.org.

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Scott Michael Robertson Ph.D. Candidate (IST) Penn State University srobertson@ist.psu

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  1. College Transition for Students On The Autism Spectrum: Integrating Interdisciplinary Perspectives From Personal Experience, Research, & Autistic Self-Advocacy Scott Michael Robertson Ph.D. Candidate (IST) Penn State University srobertson@ist.psu.edu www.autisticadvocacy.org

  2. My Contact Information • Email: • Email Address: srobertson@ist.psu.edu • Subject Line: include the word asperger or autism • Instant Messaging: • AOL Instant Messenger: hppalm • MSN/Windows Live: srobertson@ist.psu.edu • Yahoo Messenger: psuresearcher • Google Talk: aspiegeek@gmail.com • Available on Facebook • Mobile Phone: • Available upon request

  3. Rapid Rundown • My Background • My Connection & Perspective on Autism • College & Autism • My Research on College & Autism

  4. Quick Note:Penn Autism Network Conf. ‘08 • Friday, March 28, 2008 [8:30-4:30 pm] • Philadelphia, PA • 3 Session Tracks: • Postsec. Education, Employment, & Housing • Website: • http://www.med.upenn.edu/pan/annual_conference.html • I’ll likely be presenting on college & autism

  5. Quick Note:ASPEN Spring Conference ‘08 • Sunday, April 6 (all day) • Iselin, NJ • Session Topics: • Transition, College, Relationships, Job Search & Interview Skills, Autistic Student Panel • Website: http://www.aspennj.org/events.asp • I’ll be presenting on college & autism

  6. The Autism Spectrum:My Background • 27 years old • Asperger’s Autistic Adult • Ph.D. Student at Penn State • Work: TA/Teaching Fellow • Studies: Dissertation Research on autism & college

  7. My Background:The IST Building @ Penn State

  8. My Background:The IST Building @ Penn State (2)

  9. The Autism Spectrum:My Complimentary “Hats” • Autistic Adult (Asperger’s Autistic) • Presenter • e.g. Opening Keynote for 2007 PSU Natl. Autism Conference (July 2007) • Researcher • e.g. Dissertation Focus on online technology support for transition to college for autistic students • Self-Advocate/Advocate • e.g. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, ASCEND, service work for PA state Bureau of Autism Services • Teacher • e.g. State College Autistic Teen Social Group, Pittsburgh summer program, etc. • Friend & Mentor To Many Autistic Individuals

  10. The Autism Spectrum:My Perspective: • Differential Way of Understanding & Interacting w/ the World • Lifelong Brain Differences: • Language, Communication, & Social Understanding • Sensory Integration & Motor Action • Executive Thinking

  11. The Autism Spectrum:Rivers Flowing North • "To many Americans . . . , north is the wrong way for a river to flow, which leads to geographic confusion." • Angus Phillips, National Geographic, 1996

  12. The Autism Spectrum:3 N. Flowing Rivers • Three Rivers flow north in U.S. • Two of these are: • St. John’s River in Florida • Willamette River in Oregon • Can you name the third? • [Hint: It’s in Pennsylvania]

  13. The Autism Spectrum:PA N. Flowing River • The Mongongahela River: • Flows from West Virginia thru Morgantown, crossing the Mason Dixon line, & continuing into Pittsburgh (joins w/ the Alleghany River to form the confluence known as the Ohio River) • Flows more directly straight north than the other 2 north flowing rivers in the U.S. • Origin: American Indian for “high banks or bluffs”

  14. The Autism Spectrum:Challenge & Support • Main Challenge: • Living in an Autistic Unfriendly World • Sensory Bombardment, Social Ambiguities, Information Overload, etc. • Lack of Understanding & Acceptance • Support: • Best w/ a two-way street • Individual Learns to Adapt • Society Accommodates Differences

  15. The Autism Spectrum:Quotes from Autistic Teens “It all started in elementary school when I realized that I wasn't like everyone else....I might be different because I have different interests than other teenagers, but that doesn’t give them the right to be so mean and cruel to me. Kids at Oak Valley make fun of me for liking what I like the most.....Sometimes I wish I were like everyone else, but not really. Because I believe people should be respected for being different because we're all different in our own ways.” --Joshua Yuchasz, autistic teen (Michigan) [“This I Believe” piece that aired on “All Things Considered”]

  16. The Autism Spectrum:Quotes from Autistic Teens “I don’t know what normal is, but I know that people like me are the minority...Being different may not be a problem for me, or other kids like me, but it sure seems to cause problems for “normal” (ha!) kids. The result...bullying!...If others would take time to stop and get to know us (autistic teens), then they would see that we have a lot to offer.” Luke Jackson, autistic teen (U.K.)

  17. My Lessons Learned Thru Life • Dogged Determination & Tenacity Reap Valuable Rewards • Passions Light the Path • Heart Comes From Helping Others • Power Comes From Present-Focus • Growth Comes From Lifelong Learning • Trust Your Brain

  18. College & Autism:Some Quotes from Autistic Adults • “At college I met people who appreciate me for who I was instead of making fun of what was different about me.” –Steven Shore • “College is a tremendous opportunity for many individuals on the autistic spectrum” –Lars Perner

  19. College & Autism • Major Media Attention • Applying To College • Planning & Preparation • My Research on Autism & College

  20. College & Autism: Major Media Attention • “Students On The Spectrum”, The New York Times, Nov. 2006 • “Asperger’s Confounds Colleges”, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Oct. 2004 • “An Asperger’s Life”, The Billings Gazette, April 2004 • “A Chance For Autistic Students”, The Times Union (Albany), April 2004 • “Growing Number of Autistics Want To Complete College Education”, Associated Press, March 2007

  21. College & Autism:Applying to College • Student-Driven Process • Stay Open-minded & Flexible • Consider Many Factors & Options

  22. College & Autism:Admissions Considerations • Campus Environment • Size of College/University • Physical & Social Environment • Class Sizes • Disability Services • Location • Academics & Majors • Housing Options • Costs

  23. College & Autism:Tradeoffs: Large vs. Small • Smaller School • Smaller Campus (Easier to Navigate) • Smaller Classes • Less Overwhelming • Larger School • Less Visibility of Differences • More Diversity • More Opportunities for Similar Interests (More Extra-curriculars & Clubs)

  24. College & Autism:Strategies for Success • Regular Counseling Sessions • Finding Clubs/Activities That Fit • Peer Mentoring • Educating course professors about autism/Asperger’s • Pre-Preparation & Planning

  25. College & Autism:Preparations & Planning • Major Focuses • Self-Advocacy Skills • College-Related Living Skills • College Physical/Social Environment • Suggestions • Keep an ongoing notebook/binder • Stay individualized and student-driven • Tailor Planning to Specific College Experience • Use All Resources Available

  26. College & Autism:Developing Self-Advocacy Skills • Student-Driven IEP Process • Ownership of differences/disability • Encouraging Self-Advocacy for Home Needs • Work together on tasks • Gradually lessen degree of support • IEP for the Home • Community Service & Volunteering Activities • e.g. Special Olympics, community centers • Encourage Speaking/Writing about Personal Experiences & Perspective • Attending conferences/discussions about autism

  27. An Autism Conference Run by Autistic Individuals: Autreat • Annual retreat-style conference run by autistic adults for autistic adults, teens, children • Autistic friendly physical environment • No smoking, no perfumes, no scented deodorant • Open space to walk around, relax • Autistic friendly social environment • Colored badges indicating social preferences • Red: don’t want to communicate • Yellow: I have trouble communicating & may need you to initiate • Green: I desire a large amt. of interaction (because I don’t know anyone) • Autistics are the vast majority of attendees • Website: <http://ani.autistics.org/autreat.html>

  28. College & Autism:Developing College Life Skills • Time/Schedule/Organization Skills • Dorm/Housing Skills • e.g. Laundry, Meals, Health-Related • Academic Mgmt. Skills • Traveling Skills • Safety Skills • Financial Mgmt. Skills

  29. College & Autism:Time/Schedule/Organization • Day Planner/PDA + Calendar for home/school activities • Alarms for Waking Up • Establishing Organized Routines • Wearing a Watch 24/7 • Using Software Tools • Microsoft Excel & Word for making lists • Using/Carrying a Cellphone 24/7

  30. College & Autism:Dorm/Housing Skills • Laundry • Washing machine/dryer & folding clothes • Practice w/ many types of clothes • Orientation to coin/card operation of machines • Meals/Eating • Cooperative Meal Planning @ home • Discussion of Nutritious Foods That Fit Likes/Dislikes • Health-Related • Make a Notebook of Health Needs & Routines • May need guided steps/posters/videos • Clothing Match w/ Weather • Roommate • May want to consider option of a single room

  31. College & Autism:Dorm/Housing Skills (Cont.) • Social Environment (of living space) • Make a Notebook of common social situations • Have discussions about the social env. • Chat w/ current college freshmen/sophomores • Physical Environment (of living space) • Organization structures for room • Consideration of sensory differences • Can model a dorm room @ home

  32. College & Autism:Academic Mgmt. Skills • Organize Work Thru The Computer • Electronic organization may be easier than physical organization • Study Skills • Actively ask questions about material & look through book/material on ongoing basis • Breaking schoolwork/studying into chunks (20-50 min. periods w/ breaks) • Practice w/ putting together a review sheet of material • Practice w/ asking others for help on schoolwork

  33. College & Autism:Traveling Skills • Practice w/ Long Distance Traveling Skills • Open-ended vouchers/tickets for bus/train/airplane long distance traveling • Visit home when they feel the need • Practice w/ Local Traveling Skills • Walking Routes/Bus/Local Train

  34. Financial Mgmt. Skills • Explain rules of credit card & practice w/ credit card w/ low limit ($50 or $100) • Practice w/ Using ATMs

  35. College & Autism:My Research • My Ph.D. Dissertation Research • College of Information Sciences & Technology, Penn State • Interdisciplinary Research on Problems Integrating Information, Technology, People • Online Community Can Support Emergence of CoP for Autism & Postsec. Education • Information: Best Practices, Approaches, Resources • People: Autistic Students, Educators, Parents • Technology: Online community (threaded discussion board, blogging, podcasts, IM, email lists, etc.) • Qualitative Informatory Research

  36. My Research:Emerging Community of Practice • Community of Practice • Community of Organizations coming together to network, learn from each other, & share resources to develop better best practices for work area • Penn Autism Network’s College CoP • Spearheaded by University of Pennsylvania • 25+ Colleges & Universities • PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, MN • Penn Autism Network 2008 Conf. Session Track

  37. My Research:Qualitative Interviews • Interviews w/ key stakeholder groups • Postsecondary Autistic Students • Secondary Educators • Postsecondary Autistic Students • Secondary Autistic Students

  38. Closing Quote • “All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wonder are lost; The old that is strong does not wither. Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

  39. Postsec. Education & AutismResources/Video & Audio • Pesner, J. “Autism From The Source—A Monologue by Jeremy Pesner”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmhfm81Vxuo • BRAIN.HE (UK), http://www.brainhe.com/gallery/ • Western Kentucky University: “WKU Kelly Autism Residence Program”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA3o6KBSe6A

  40. Postsec. Education & AutismResources/Video & Audio (Cont.) • “College Professors & HFA In The Classroom” • <http://welkowitz.typepad.com/ aspergers_conversations/files/pr5_complete.mp3 • Mentoring & AS/HFA in College • <http://welkowitz.typepad.com/ aspergers_conversations/files/pr1.mp3 • “Aspergers After College” • http://welkowitz.typepad.com/ aspergers_conversations/files/pr4_complete.mp3

  41. Postsec. Education & Autism:Resources/Books • Prince-Hughes, D. Aquamarine Blue 5: Personal Stories Of College Students With Autism • Palmer, A. Realizing The College Dream With Autism and Asperger Syndrome • Harpur, J., Lawlor, M., & Fitzgerald, M. Succeeding In College With Asperger Syndrome • Jamieson, J. & Jamieson, C. Managing Asperger Syndrome at College & University • “Towards Success In Tiertary Study With Asperger Syndrome and Other Autistic Spectrum Disorders”, <http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/edp/policy/ publications.html> • freely downloadable

  42. Postsec. Education & Autism:Resources/Online Articles • Perner, L. “Preparing To Be Nerdy Where Nerdy Can Be Cool”, http://www.professorsadvice.com/ • Coulter, J. “First Year At College: Lessons Learned”, <http://coultervideo.com/FirstyrCollegeessay.htm> • Williams, G. & Palmer, A. “Preparing For College: Tips For Students With HFA/Asperger’s Syndrome”, <http://www.teacch.com/college.html> • Coulter, J. “Asperger Syndrome & Choosing College Courses”, http://coultervideo.com/collegecourses.htm

  43. Postsec. Education & AutismResources/Online Sites • University Students With Autism or Asperger Syndrome, http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~cns/ • Facebook Groups, www.facebook.com • Wrong Planet: http://www.wrongplanet.net

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