Advocates and Organizations
Fast Fact #6 – Family Matters
Fast Fact #6 Family Matters... To Continuous Employment and Education! “There were no significant associations between group and any of the individual factors (i.e., IQ, adaptive behavior, autism severity, behavior problems, and stress reactivity). In terms of family...
Fast Fact #5 – Half of the youth with autism did not experience any disruption in education or employment after high school.
Fast Fact #5 Half of the youth with autism did not experience any disruption in education or employment after high school. Among the 36 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)... * 10 people remained in the same activity since high school. * 8 people experienced...
[Lit Review] Postsecondary work and educational disruptions for youth on the autism spectrum
This study examined vocational/educational disruption in the 2–3 years after high school for 36 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were collected three times from parents: during youth’s last year of high school and two times after high school exit....
Fast Fact #4 – We all fall down
Fast Fact #4 In Taylor and DaWalt’s recent study, about half of the participants experienced some “disruption,” like being fired, or leaving a post-secondary education program. Out of those 8 participants who experienced some sort of disruption in their employment or...
[Event] ASHE Presentation
ASHE Presentation Houston, TX, Nov. 2017 In Search of Actionable Insights Regarding College Students with Autism: A Systematic Literature Review This paper draws from a systematic review of articles published since 2000 to summarize what is currently known about...
[Event] Texas Tech Think Tank
Higher Education Think Tank Lubbock, TX, Nov. 2017 What the Research says about College Students with Autism How many students with autism are coming to college? Recent estimates say by 2020 it could be as many as 433,000. This session hilights the four main...
Fast Fact #2
Fast Fact #2 Although only 10 incoming first-year students self-disclose ASD, 148 reported having enough autism related characteristics to warrant clinical assessment. This inconsistency could be because... - ASD is by definition a spectrum, so even when identifying...
Fast Fact #1
Fast Fact #1 We’ve all heard the statistic that 1 in 68 people are diagnosed with ASD. But only 1 in 225 beginning college students in our study self-reported ASD. This material is based, in part, upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant...
Autism Coming to College (Issue Brief)
In this issue brief: Highlights from the first article in top-tier higher education journal to ever mention autism. A new model to help students and institutions anticipate, address, and overcome challenges that might otherwise undermine the chances of...
[Event] American College Personnel Association 2017 Conference
American College Personnel Association 2017 Conference Students with Autism: Peer Perspectives and Helpful Strategies Tuesday, March 28th, 3:30-4:30 PM, Columbus, OH Over 50,000 students with autism will enroll in college each fall, a number that is growing annually....
[Lit Review] Local Autism Policy Networks: Expertise and Intermediary Organizations
Parsons, B. M. (2016). Local autism policy networks: Expertise and intermediary organizations. Educational Policy, doi:10.1177/0895904816673743 Introduction: The increasing prevalence of diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), now one in 68 children according to...
[News] Professor with Autism Earns $467,000 Grant to Study Autism in the Workplace
Alongside higher education, employment stands as an area in great need of additional study when it comes to individuals on the autism spectrum. Employers often do not know how to work with employees with autism, and those on the spectrum can have difficulty finding,...
[News] Social Coach AI Program May Help Those with Asperger’s Navigate Conversations More Easily
One of the more significant problems people with autism face is their trouble in social situations. Sometimes it can be particularly difficult for those with ASD to follow the tone and other cues of a conversation and interact in an appropriate and comfortable manner....
[News] College Students Connect with Their Autistic Peers Through UVA Program
It is often challenging for neurotypical individuals to understand certain things about autism or what it is like to be on the autism spectrum. As a result, many people with autism may be met with confusion, uncertainty, or unacceptance because the people around them...
[Event] 36th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience
36th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience Supporting First-Year Students with Autism: Inclusion Begins with Understanding 9-10am Sunday, February 12, in Atlanta Marriott Marquis - A706 Campuses are seeing an increase in the number of students with diagnoses...
[News] Rutgers University Receives $100,000 to Train Students to Work with Autistic Adults
In early December last year, Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey received an endowment fund of $100,000 from the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation to support ongoing work and training meant to serve adults with autism. The Foundation, known for being one of...
[News] Web-based autism education and treatment tool, Skills for Autism, wins learning technology award
As we have moved into an increasingly digital world many things have been updated to be compatible with or contained on digital platforms. This has been helpful in the dissemination of information and services, and autism supports are not exempt. Skills for Autism,...
[News] Ford Motor Company expands hiring program for individuals on the spectrum
One of the main reasons people choose to attend college is to improve potential job prospects, but that last part may not be a guaranteed for people with autism. Lately, major companies such as Microsoft have been starting hiring programs to ease this process. These...
[News] Documentary about Aspie comedy troupe coming to Netflix this December
"Asperger’s Are Us,” directed by Alex Lehmann, is a documentary about the comedy troupe of the same name. Focusing on the four aspie men who make up the group, this film explores their experiences as they prepare for what could be their last show together. The...
[News] Recent study suggests that autistic individuals are less susceptible to emotional bias
When people talk about autism they often focus on the challenges and hardships associated with the disorder and overlook some of its benefits. A recent study at King's College in London investigated one such autistic advantage: logical thinking. Overall, the study...
[News] New York Times highlights college programs for students on the autism spectrum
The number of individuals on the autism spectrum who attend college has reached a point where postsecondary institutions and educators are starting to take notice. At a growing number of places, this extends to programs specifically created to meet the needs of these...
[Event] National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region 1 Conference
NASPA 2016 Region 1 Conference Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum: What We Know and How We Can Make a Difference Presented By: Personal website NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession....
[Event] Mental Health Matters Conference 2016
Mental Health Matter 2016 Conference Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum: What We Know and How We Can Make a Difference Presented by: Personal website The second annual Mental Health Matters (MHM) conference continues its original mission to bring together...
[News] Autistic middle school students use personal experiences to publish novel about young woman on the spectrum
Groups are increasingly recognizing the importance of documenting and understanding the oft-overlooked experiences of females on the spectrum. The voices of autistic girls themselves, however, are also starting to come to light thanks to initiatives like that pushed...
[News] Netflix to stream an original series about young man on the autism spectrum
In recent years, representation of autism in media has grown through television shows like Community and Parenthood, as well as movies like Jane Wants a Boyfriend and The Square Root of Two. While the aforementioned shows do not always put characters on the spectrum...
[News] The UK’s National Associaton for Special Education Needs has a new guide all about girls on the autism spectrum
Autism is recognized and diagnosed far more often in males than females, and typical symptoms can be brushed off when they present in females, or they can be misinterpreted as being rude or shy. The UK National Association for Special Education Needs (nasen) recently...
[News] New study suggests schools should offer sex-ed classes specific to the needs of autistic students
Sex-ed is a tricky subject for everyone, but a recent study found that it is failing students with autism. Run by the Autism Research Area at Angela Ruskin University, this research found that 20 individuals on the autism spectrum had a negative few of their current...
[Training] Conduct and Students on the Autism Spectrum
Educators and administrators may have a difficult time in navigating conduct issues with students on the autism spectrum. An upcoming webinar from StudentAffairs.com, facilitated by Dr. Jane Theirfield Brown of Yale University , aims to help professionals work through...
[News] Autism Speaks changes its mission statement to include autism acceptance
Just last week, Autism Speaks publicly established that finding a cure for autism is no longer part of their primary organizational goals through a change in its mission statement. This shift came about alongside a new focus on autism acceptance and the removal of...
[News] Stanford researchers are using Google Glass to help individuals with autism work on social skills
For students on the spectrum, one of the hardest parts of college can be the social and behavioral aspects. Google Glass, however, is now under testing as a behavioral therapy aid that could be used to combat these issues even before students make it to college....
[News] What I Learned as an Autistic College Student
Haley Moss tells her story of triumph. Through her dedication and self awareness, she graduated from UF with two degrees and is currently in Law School. Click here to read her inspirational story.
[Internship] Institutional Outreach
The Institutional Outreach Intern will cultivate effective working relationships between the College Autism Network (CAN) and institutional stakeholders at colleges and universities from across the country as well as connections among campus-based ASD programs. The intern will connect with student advocates and college administrators at campus-based ASD programs to gather information on specific initiatives, research, and good practices designed to support college students with autism. The person in this position will work with CAN’s Student Advocacy and Support team to highlight these initiatives by writing blog posts, producing program summaries, and contributing to an online database of programs and services that facilitate postsecondary success for autistic students.
[Training] Supporting Students with Disabilities
This website provides the viewer with free and interactive learning modules. These modules inform the viewer of basic information of each disability listed. This information includes myths/facts, definitions, implications for learning, a video, and a scenario section. Click this link to access an interactive free educational resource that highlights many disabilities that impact students on our campuses!
[News] Autism, Broadway & College Students
There are many creative ways that universities can spread awareness of Autism Spectrem Disorder. Click this link to find out how a student play opened a window for viewers to understand ASD.
[Internship] Web Design & Development
The Web Design and Development Intern plays an integral role in the development of the College Autism Network’s (CAN) online presence. Working with other members of the Media and Communication team (Graphic Design, Video Production, Social Media, and Public Relations), the Web Design and Development Intern will oversee CAN’s websites. Building upon the visual and structural foundation of the current website, the intern will post new content and ensure effective maintenance of the main CAN website (CollegeAutismNetwork.org). The intern will also lead the design and development of a new website for CAN’s newest initiative, the CanDoCollege project, a guide for student self-advocates loosely modeled after “Humans of New York.”
[Internship] Social Media
The Social Media Intern manages the College Autism Network’s (CAN) social media presence. Working with other members of the Media and Communication team (Graphic Design, Video Production, Web Development and Design, and Public Relations), the Social Media Intern will leverage social media to cultivate an engaged network of stakeholders committed to improving college access, experiences, and outcomes for students with autism. The Social Media intern will manage the day-to-day activities of CAN’s Facebook and Twitter account, implement processes to facilitate efficient interaction with our digital clientele, and work with the leadership team to develop a long-term strategy for the College Autism Network’s social media efforts.
[Internship] Public Relations
The Public Relations (PR) Intern oversees the media relations functions of the College Autism Network (CAN). This PR specialist will establish relationships with local and national press outlets for the purpose of securing placement in paper, TV, and online publications. As part of the Media and Communication team (Graphic Design, Video Production, Web Development and Design, and Social Media) the PR intern will help accelerate the growing media presence of CAN.
[Internship] Video Production
The Video Production Intern will play an active role developing videos that will shape public perceptions about autism and the College Autism Network (CAN). The intern will work with a Media & Communication team (Graphic Design, Website, Social Media, and Public Relations) to produce short, videos that will be used for public advocacy, marketing, training, and content dissemination. The intern will also lead the production of videos for CAN’s signature CanDoCollege project, which will post weekly videos, pictures, and/or essays highlighting individual college students with autism. We envision the intern creating material inspired by projects like Humans of New York and I, Too, Am Harvard.
[News] Unique Microsoft hiring program opens more doors to people with autism
Click this link to see how Microsoft’s pilot program to hire people diagnosed with autsim changed Kyle Schwaneke’s life!
[News] Autism in Love
Take a look into the lives of 4 individuals diagnosed with autism and how they navigate through many obstacles for LOVE. Click this link to watch this heartwarming film.
[Training] What is autism?
What is Autism? Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) In this presentation, Kerry Thompson provides a thematic and historical overview of autism, addressing questions regarding the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of autism. Presented By: University of...
[Blog] Breaking Down and Building Up: Giving Birth to the College Autism Network
I can still see the tears rolling down my wife’s face when the psychologist said, “Your son has autism.”
[Blog] Thinking and Re-Thinking the Language of Autism
I did it again. It was wrong. And I’m sorry.
[Lit Review] The experience of anxiety in young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Anxiety is known to be common among young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), yet little is known about the nature of their experiences or the strategies they use to live and cope with their reported anxiety. In this qualitative study, we began to address...
[Lit Review] The Impact of Labels and Behaviors on the Stigmatization of Adults with Asperger’s Disorder
In this study, the average participant rated their knowledge of AD “none to moderate,” and 2/3 indicated that they had to exposure to an individual with AD. Behavior among AD individuals elicited more stigmatization according to the Social Distance Scale than labeling. Additionally, no prior knowledge of behavior leads to stigmatization (not just behavior alone). Click here to read more.
[News] What It’s Like to Live with Autism as an Adult
Click this link to look into the life of a woman who has been diagnosed with high functioning autism. Her experience is one that can change how you see those on the autism spectrum.
[Event] FSU Autism Superhero 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
On Saturday, April 9th, the FSU Autism Institute and the Tallahassee community will be “Running to Put the Pieces Together” in our 9th Annual Superhero 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run at the Northwood Centre! Your support of the FSU Autism Superhero 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run will help us provide valuable services such as consultation, resources and educational support free of charge to individuals with ASD, their families and professionals who work with them. So come join us on April 9th and be a SUPERHERO for Autism!
[Event] AAIDD
To address this gap in existing research, our study sought out firsthand accounts of college students with autism. Student testimonials were gathered from the website WrongPlanet.net: an online resource for individuals on the autism spectrum that provides articles,...
[Lit Review] Transition from School to Adulthood for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: What we Know and what we Need to Know
Parents and teachers may observe depressed mood, anxiety, heightened levels of inappropriate behavior, and victimization by peers in adolescents who have ASD… Overall, youth with ASD reported lower rates of self-determination and satisfaction than other youth with disabilities. Click this link to read the full annotation.
[News] Campus Organization Works to Start Conversation About Neurodiversity
Manuel Diaz was a young college student who believed that Neurodiversity needed to be celebrated on his campus. Click this link to read his story!
[Training] NASPA 2016
Autism in Higher Education: Barriers and Bridges in a Changing Landscape
1:15-2:05 PM on Monday, March 14th in Meeting Room 130 of the Indianapolis Convention Center
Through the lens of student vignettes, the audience will discuss the autistic student experience on campus and learn why common institutional practices may need to be amended in order to better serve this population.