Going to College with Autism [Colleyville Texas Autism Charity]

August 30, 2017By

Last year at Max’s 7th grade ARD meeting, (meeting where educators and parents discuss and strategically plan the education plan for the child with special needs) they asked him what he would like to do when he left high school.  He replied “well NFL, obviously.”  The special education lady looked doubtful and asked what his back up plans were should he NOT become an NFL player and he said “fine, I’ll just be an engineer.”  I found this exchange amusing and intriguing.  His back up plan was that he would like to study engineering and we’re already trying to prepare him to think about becoming part of the workforce.  At the time I thought it seemed very early to do but now I realize it’s amazingly forward thinking because trying to prepare kids on the autism spectrum for college involves a lot more than their neurotypical peers.

Check out this fantastic article we found, which is written from the perspective of 21 year old Vassar junior Zoe Gross.  She describes the transition to college is so much more complex for people with autism, the LEAST of it being, in her opinion, the social issues.  She explains that managing the independent aspects of life at college like living in a dorm/apartment, scheduling homework and assignments, making sure she eats properly, showers regularly are FAR more critical than even thinking about making friends.

People with autism often have impaired executive functioning which affects their daily life in a way their peers haven’t thought about it years.  One girl describes how she was hit by a car TWICE in college.  On one of the days she describes being completely overwhelmed with her emotions after getting into an argument, along with the noise and the crowds and she experienced tunnel vision and didn’t even see the car coming until it hit her.  This one particularly scares me as I see this happening with Max.  Just this morning I dropped him at school, not in the drop off lane for a change and watched as he crossed the road IN FRONT of a car that he simply hadn’t noticed!  I find we constantly have to go over  safety issues with him that most 10 year olds have mastered. Then I’m supposed to just send him off to college or let him get a drivers license??????  I can’t even imagine!!!

Apparently over the next 5 years, an estimated 200,000 teenagers on the autism spectrum will be aging out of the services they currently receive in the public school system.  Many of them could be seemingly high functioning but have invisible disabilities that will become highlighted when they go off to college on their own without a parent or caregiver looking out for them.  How will the college system and the newly created adults themselves cope with this huge number of people who need more consideration when trying to immerse them into their next stage of life? I have no answers at all yet sadly. It’s something I will have to think about over the next few years and try to be proactive in the mean time.

Enjoy the article and feel free to send any of your own experiences for us to learn from!

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Back to School [Tips for a Successful School Year with Autism]

August 17, 2016By

The countdown to school in Texas is on! In another week, the sleep ins are over and the schedules are back. For lots of parents, particularly those who have a child with autism, the return of a scheduled day is welcome. However the transition of actually returning to school can be challenging and anxious for the children AND their parents.

Back to School Autism
I know that when Max starts school each year, I am always a little nervous about what the year might bring. Last year when he started middle school was EXTREMELY stressful….from my end! 

Back to School Photography

If your school is open to it, your child might benefit from a visit to the school BEFORE it is over run with children coming for meet the teacher. They might be able to meet THEIR teacher (or teachers) in a more quiet setting so it’s not such a sensory overload. Communiaction with teachers will be very important. Kids with autism in a public school will have an IEP and so all teachers should be fully informed BEFORE your child arrives but many teachers appreciate any tips parents might have to help make the transition to a new school year easier. Writing your own social story about the school day with your child can be a great way to prepare them for how each day should look.

Back to School Photography 2

Try and start the school routine before the weekend before school if possible. Sleep is key and adjusting bedtimes and starting morning routines as early as possible may help their adjustment to the school year.

If you have concerns about your childs social interactions with their peers it might be really helpful to reach out to other kids for playdates BEFORE school starts if it is an option. Many schools also have great social skills groups they incorporate with other typical children during class time which is helpful as the school year continues.

For non-verbal children, lots of visual support is essential. Social stories are really helpful here along with pictures. If you can map out the day with photos (example, waiting for the bus, getting on the bus, walking to their classroom, finding their chair, sitting in the cafeteria opening their lunch box) hopefully that will make the transition back to school a little smoother.

Obviously as parents and caregivers we are all usually anxious about a new school year, try to stay positive in front of your kids so they don’t see your stress. It’s enough that they try to manage their own! Hopefully many of us have a great support network but if you don’t PLEASE reach out to us here, we would love to help!

Here’s to a great school year!

Back to School Photography 3

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