College Support

Tips for College for Students with Autism

As more young people with ASD graduate and leave school, more are naturally looking at colleges.  

Transitioning to college can be tough for any student, not just students with special needs. Many students often see community college as the “13th grade,” and extension of high school. This is not the case.

There are no IEP’s in college!  Instead, colleges which accept federal or state money must comply with both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Private post-secondary schools are subject to the lesser standards of Title III of the ADA.  These colleges have a Disabilities Office or Office of Students Support which will work to remove barriers that may prevent a student from accessing a classroom or college environment.

Below are some general guidelines but contact the college Disabled Students Office to find out specifics.

man holding piggy bank

Differences Between High School and College

FAQ Regarding College Services

Colleges will provide reasonable accommodations that are geared toward an individual’s illness or disability without changing the fundamental elements of the course.  Accommodations commonly offered include:

  • Note taker services
  • Reader services
  • Access to adaptive equipment
  • Registration assistance
  • Extra time on tests

Again, please check with the college you are considering for specifics.  Some colleges will require the student with Autism to find their own note taker or be organized enough to look at the syllabus and arrange a testing room 2 week before a test is scheduled.

Colleges will not provide modifications to the curriculum or assignments which may be common in High School.  Qualified disabled students must meet the same academic requirements as all students on campus which mean colleges will not modify the curriculum.  All students will be expected to learn and complete all the work.

Modification which may have been common in High School are not permitted in college.  This often includes:

  • Completing fewer or different homework problems than peers
  • Writing shorter papers
  • Answering fewer or different test questions
  • Creating alternate projects or assignments
  • Being excused from particular projects
  • Colleges will not provide 1:1

Often students with disabilities are required to sign up for the generic tutoring resources on campus.  Please check with the Disabled Students Office how this works for the college you are considering.

Students with disabilities entering college or university must self-identify and request accommodations.  To be eligible for support services or instruction authorized under Title V, a student must have an impairment or illness which results in an educational limitation. This illness or limitation must be verified by a doctor or previous school.  Each school may have its own criteria and forms – check with your specific school. Some colleges will request the last Psychoeducational Evaluation or IEP.  Approval of accommodations is based on adequate supporting documentation of a disability.

If Disability Services fins that you need accommodations, a Student Educational Contract (SEC) is developed for each student which links student’s goals, curriculum program, and academic accommodations to his/her specific disability related educational limitation

Self-advocacy is a key skill for college students with disabilities. It involves understanding the impact of your disability, being able to communicate your needs, understanding your rights and responsibilities in the accommodation process, problem-solving, and utilizing support systems.  Students with Autism or other disabilities will have to make an appointment with the Disabled Students Office and self-disclose not only they have a disability but tell the college what accommodations they need to be successful.  This is very different from High School where a team works together to determine what supports would be beneficial to be able to achieve academic success.

Students (and not parents) will be the ones responsible for talking with the professors and staying on top of assignments.  Unlike High School where teachers are monitoring grades and checking for comprehension, in college, students are responsible for monitoring their own progress and for recognizing when they need additional help. Student must seek professors’ assistance or tutorial center

The Disability Office will email your professors telling them which student’s in their class have accommodations (extra time on the test or a note taker).  The email won’t share the name of your disability; only your name and the accommodation.

Some students find it helpful to disclose to the professor that you have autism and some of the behaviors they may notice.  You could send an email, talk to the professor in person, or choose not to disclose at all.

Also realize, your professor may so no to a request you have.  This is a time to work together to get your needs met.  If you need extra help with a professor, the Disability Students Office may be able to help.

As students enter college, the role of the parents shifts as well.  During the school years, parents often are the unofficial case manager and advocate for their child.  Now that the child has reached the age 18 years of age – the age of legal adulthood, the law and adult service systems no longer look to the parent for consent.  Because the individual with disability is over the age of 18 years, these systems are legally unable to share information without consent.  College students may sign a release of confidential information to allow parents to attend meetings with them, but many colleges strongly encourage students to be able to advocate by themselves.

Visit our webpage for our most updated list – ieautism.org/college-scholarships 

Inland Empire College Support Options

Regional Center may be able to provide support services for clients who are attending college. These services may include navigating the social part of a college campus, helping with organizational skills and living skills. There are a arrange of programs to help those who may need minimal support as wells as those who need assistance with getting around campus. Please note: Regional Center may not pay for all of the programs listed below or the entire cost of the program. Please check with your Regional Center caseworker for more information.

AUTISM HEROES
420 Brookside Ave Redlands CA 92373
www.myautismheroes.com
ABA services – specializes in adults. Also has behavioral feeding and diagnostic services.

California Autism Network – Amanda Backer
https://californiaautismnetwork.com/
Adolescents and adults diagnosed with ASD often require specific training to develop college and work readiness skills. California Autism Network (CAN) provides training and assists in developing self-advocacy, communication, and executive function skills. CAN services are provided individually or in small group instruction, both in-person or virtually, supporting clients to learn skills such as appropriate school and workplace behaviors, including time management, social skills, self-advocacy, goal setting, hygiene, recommendations for needed assistive technology, and professional appearance. They also support the client and family throughout the implementation of the treatment plan.CAN accepts private payment plans and is a vendor for Inland Regional Center.

College Connect
www.collegeconnectsupport.com
(626) 691-6519
College Connect is a local support program for students with developmental disabilities to enhance independence, promote academic and occupational success, and create meaningful relationships. Has several programs, including Mt Sac and Cal Poly Pomona. The College Connect approach was developed by college professors, educational, and clinical psychologists in response to the growing need for support services after high school. All services take place directly on the college campus. The program has supported many students in achieving their goals and ambitions including transfers to four-year universities, earning degrees and certificates, gaining internship experiences, and employment. A vendored agency with Inland Regional Center. The service code is 605 and the vendor number is PP5925.

College to Career Program – Cole Vocational/CA Mentor Program
(855) 636-8672
http://www.ca-mentor.com/adult-services/college-programs/college-support
Chaffey College and Long Beach City College, Big Bear Lake, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Riverside, San Bernardino, Temecula, Victorville
As part of California MENTOR’s day programs, the College Support program offers individuals the chance to take community-college classes. They offer assistance with everything from enrollment to tutoring and transportation, ensuring a successful experience for each individual. College Support is an option for adults with minimal support in day programs throughout California who are able to attend class independently, as well as those who need assistance with getting around campus.

Mansfield Hall College Support for Students
(877) 205-3785
mansfieldhall.org
Mansfield Hall is a living and learning community that provides residential, academic, executive functioning, social, and independent living skill support to students who are going to college. We are not a degree-granting institution, but all of our students are in college. Located in Burlington, VT, Madison, WI, and Eugene, OR

Southern California College Support Resources

College Autism Network
https://collegeautismnetwork.org/
College Autism Network is a nonprofit organization linking varied stakeholders engaged in evidence-guided efforts to improve access, experiences, and outcomes for postsecondary students with autism. Has online resources.

College Connect
www.collegeconnectsupport.com
(626) 691-6519
College Connect is a local support program for students with developmental disabilities to enhance independence, promote academic and occupational success and create meaningful relationships. Has a number of programs including Mt Sac and Cal Poly Pomona. The College Connect approach was developed by college professors, educational, and clinical psychologists in response to the growing need for support services after high school. All services take place directly on the college campus. Our program has supported many students in achieving their goals and ambitions. These have included transfers to four year universities, earning degrees and certificates, gaining internship experiences, and employment. They are a vendored agency with Inland Regional Center. The service code is 605 and the vendor number is PP5925.

College Internship Program (CIP) – CSU Long Beach, CSU Berkeley
(310) 569-9308 or 1-877-KNOW-CIP
www.collegeinternshipprogram.com
The College Internship Program is a comprehensive post-secondary support program for students ages 18 to 26 with Asperger’s, high-functioning autism, and learning differences. Each student receives individualized social, academic, career and life skills instruction to develop and strengthen their areas of social thinking, executive functioning, sensory integration, money management, recreation, and health and wellness.

College Living Support (CLE)
(800) 486-5058
https://experiencecle.com/
Orange County
Offers support independent living support, social skills, academic, self-advocacy, and career development for students wanting to attend the Art Institute in Orange County, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach and Chapman University.

Pathway at UCLA Extension
http://education.uclaextension.edu/pathway/
Is a sequential program for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, offering a blend of educational, social, and vocational experiences, taught and supervised by experienced instructors sensitive to the individual needs of our students. On campus, Pathway students attend classes and participate with UCLA students in the many social, recreational, and cultural activities of a major university.

Project College – United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County
Camp held at the University of San Diego
http://www.ucpsd.org/programs/project_college.html
(858) 278-5420 x 131 For ages 17-22, with a developmental disability or autism spectrum disorder who are considering attending college in the near future, or already attending, and are diploma bound. Cost Includes housing for 5 nights, all meals, activities, and program materials. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from USD and their own spending money. The full tuition for the week (including meals, lodging, and activities) is $850. Needs based scholarships are available.

Autism Society Options Policy

This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.

All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.