RESOURCES for universities
The opportunity for universities and colleges to participate in this community of practice, contribute resources to the community and use resources from the community - ultimately facilitating greater student inclusiveness and success.
1. TRANSITION TO UNIVERSITY
This information pertains to supporting autistic students in academic settings and comes from a variety of sources including local and international information, peer reviewed research and research conducted at OTARC (Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre), La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (funded by DHS, Victoria).
Please note, while this information is designed to support autistic students, a lot of the information and resources also apply to students with other neurodiverse variations. In the “Resources for Students, Parents & Carers”, there is material for students, parents/carers and staff. Each section has been tailored to best meet the needs of each group.
We use ‘university’ as a generic term referring to tertiary providers including universities, colleges and vocational training providers (and, for Australia: TAFEs).
=> or download the pamphlet version
STAFF TRAINING SESSION: “Workshop on supporting autistic students in tertiary education settings”
As an additional resource, there is a downloadable PowerPoint presentation for a staff training session. This is a generic presentation that can be adapted for use in your institution. It includes speaker notes and handout exercises to be worked through during the session.
2. SUPPORTING AUTISTIC STUDENTS - RESOURCES FROM ‘STAIRWAY TO STEM’
Stairway to Stem is an organization, based in the United States, that provides resources to autistic students, their families, and tertiary instructors. The goal of Stairway to STEM is to improve awareness of academic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs and careers. Stairway to STEM supports students as they transition to university and then to the world of work.
Autism 101: Autism Cultural Responsiveness for Improved Interactions
Are you a staff member at a tertiary institution (University, College, TAFE, Community College)? If so, read the following about how you can best support autistic students. It is important to know how to cater to different learning and processing styles, so students can benefit the most from their education.
Autistic students often struggle with communication. It is important not to use metaphors, jargon language, etc. when communicating with autistic students. Autistic people often take what someone says very literally and have trouble picking up on non-verbal ques. It is important you adjust your communication style to be more conducive to your autistic student’s needs. Unfortunately, the media often portrays autistic people as savants, violent, or having extreme meltdowns, which is unfair and untrue. There are many myths and unjust stereotypes about autistic people that can be very damaging to autistic people.
Click the link below to learn about autism – including what it is, how to best communicate with autistic students, and disability myths. https://www.stairwaytostem.org/educators/autism-101-autism-cultural-responsiveness-for-improved-interactions/
3. STUDENT CHECKLISTS - MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY “ON YOUR MARQ” PROGRAM
The “On Your Marq” Program at Marquette University has developed the following checklists for use by its students during their initial period at university.
Rutgers University Center for Adult Autism Services has created a great booklet to prepare students for their first semester at university.
4. Neurodiversity Hub PROJECT AT LA TROBE UNIVERSITY
Beth Radulski, La Trobe University PhD Candidate & Project Officer: Neurodiversity, has developed a number of useful resources as part of the Neurodiversity Hub project at La Trobe University. She also speaks about her experiences as an autistic learner and offers tips to make teaching inclusive for all neuro-types. (Note: The video may not play in Safari.)
5. LIVED EXPERIENCE VIDEO FROM AN AUTISTIC STUDENT
“Why I dropped out of Law School - The diary of an autistic law student” - Orion Kelly, That Autistic Guy
Orion reveals his own personal insights, thoughts and experiences from studying law at university. He highlights the issues and barriers that, as an autistic person, impaired his ability to reach his potential and complete the degree. See Orion’s other YouTubes here.
6. STUDENT COACHING and Mentoring PROGRAMs
Coaching and mentoring can help neurodiverse students thrive in the university setting. These programs are designed to assist students with the transition from secondary education and success in tertiary education.
Navigating university life is challenging for all students. This is especially so for neurodiverse students, as they may lack certain social and life skills. Coaches and mentors can support and advise students to help them improve their academic and life skills. The purpose of these programs is to help students achieve their goals and reach their full potential. A successful program will build the self-esteem of the students and give them the tools and resources to succeed in the university setting and set them up for future success.
A recent panel session at the ADCET conference focussed on the growing interest of how peer mentor programs can support students on the autism spectrum in their tertiary studies.
This implementation guide refers to materials from Curtin University’s mentoring program - the generic version of which is available on the Autism CRC website.
“I Can’t Thank You Enough” is a contemporary guide for peer mentors hoping to make a difference in the lives of autistic college students. Downloadable supporting worksheets are also provided. (Developed by Sylvia Cusack Johnson - The City University of New York (CUNY) Project REACH)
7. “BE YOUR BEST” LIFE SKILLS AND WORK-READY SKILLS TRAINING
"Be Your Best" is an educational curriculum of materials to support life skills learning within neurodiverse populations in their transition to study and transition to work. The materials are evidence-based, researched topics with therapeutic aims for engaged learning. Some of the topics covered include organizational skills, cooking and health and presentation skills.
These materials can be undertaken individually or in a group. Groups could include interest groups at universities or in the work place. For groups, there is also a facilitator's guide available to support the learning objectives.
Follow the link to the learning platform where you can access these great course materials.
8. CAREER FAIRS / EMPLOYER EXPOS - MAKING THEM MORE INCLUSIVE
Employer Expos or Career Fairs can be daunting events for many students and job seekers. Given their current structure, they are also not accessible to some neurodiverse or sensory sensitive people. The following guide gives the host organisation some strategies to ensure the event is more inclusive.
9. TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS
Job readiness workbook - Traditional interview and recruitment processes can be challenging for autistic candidates. Interviewers evaluate a candidate’s social and communication skills and their ability to answer behavioural style interview questions, which is not really suited to the autistic style of thinking. This workbook is designed as a guide to prepare autistic jobseekers in seeking a job.
10. autism-friendly university - Dublin city university, Ireland
DCU is the world’s first designated autism-friendly university. They are committed to supporting and celebrating their students and staff who are on the autism spectrum. They are adapting the environment, raising awareness and acceptance, and building initiatives to make it as easy as possible for autistic community members to participate fully in all aspects of university life.
11. university of Delaware spectrum scholars
Accessing the student voice in creating autism support initiatives in higher education - poster from INSAR 2020.
12. College Autism NETWORK - Improving the university experience for neurodiverse students
College Autism Network is a U.S.-based organisation run by higher education professionals who all have experience working with neurodivergent students and students with other learning and developmental differences. This is a great resource for students as they transition to university and then on to work.
Is your institution trying to improve the university experience for neurodiverse students? Refer to the curation of useful resources below.
13. A GUIDE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS
(Rochester Institute of Technology - Spectrum Support Program)
This guide incorporates the ideas and successful practices of higher education professionals at postsecondary institutions who have worked with their universities to establish effective supports for students with ASD. (Published 2014). There is also a link to a one page Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact Sheet for Faculty.
14. “dear dyslexic”
Dear Dyslexic is a foundation that helps people with learning differences achieve their full potential. This is done by bringing awareness and educating the population about Dyslexia, sharing personal stories and engaging in research. Click on the link below for a curation of some great resources.
15. ADHD
ADDITUDE - This is an excellent website that provides strategies and support for Attention Deficit and related conditions.
ADHD Australia is an organization that is working to improve the quality of life for people with ADHD. The link below provides information on ADHD that would be useful to university staff who are looking to learn about this neurodiverse variation.
16. NEURODIVERSITY HUB MODEL
Operating model for the Neurodiversity Hub initiative and Proposed Charter for NDH Advisory Group.
Developed by Mitch Butler and Chris Rogers, two interns from Cornell University ILR School - K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (Jan-May 2018) - in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology.
17. RESEARCH ARTICLES
1. Neurodiversity and the accessible university: Exploring organizational barriers, access labor and opportunities for change.