Other Training Materials

Other Training Materials: We’re not the only ones working to improve the experiences and outcomes for autistic students in higher education. Therefore, we offer links to other people’s training materials via posts categorized as “training-other” on this website).

Quick Links: Members of the CAN team are actively generating new scholarship related to college students with autism.

Published Article: Cox, B. E., Thompson, K., Anderson, A., Mintz, A., Locks, T. Morgan, L., Edelstein, J., & Wolz, A (In Press at Journal of College Student Development). College experiences for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Personal identity, public disclosure, and institutional support.

IMFAR 2016 Presentations – Drawing on two years of qualitative research, the College Autism Network team is presenting four (4) posters at the 2016 International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR). Posters include analyses of autistic students’ concerns, use support services, efforts to find safe spaces, and development of personal identity.

UROP Presentations – Hosted by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE), the Undergraduate Research Symposium is an annual showcase for undergraduate student researchers from across campus to present their work to the university community.

NASPA 2016 Presentation – This presentation helps introduce practitioners to college students with ASD, identify common barriers to success, and share practices to overcome these challenges. 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.

[Short Sheet] Housing & Residence Life

A 1-page introduction to college students with autism for housing and residential life professionals.

[Event] ASCA 2018 – Concurrent Session – Autism and the Student Conduct Process: Support Begins with Understanding

Campuses are seeing an increase in the number of students with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s Syndrome.
These students bring with them social, behavioral and communication challenges that may be disruptive or misunderstood by the
community, leading to allegations of misconduct. Participants will learn about these traits and the strategies that might make a
difference in responding to these students.

[Event] ASCA 2018 – Pre-Con – Students on the Autism Spectrum: Responding to a Growing Population

Campuses are seeing an increase in the number of students with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s Syndrome. These students bring with them social, behavioral and communication challenges that may be disruptive or misunderstood by the community, leading to allegations of misconduct. Participants will learn about these traits and the strategies that might make a difference in responding to these students.

[Event] Texas Tech Think Tank

How many students with autism are coming to college? Recent estimates say by 2020 it could be as many as 433,000. This session highlights the four main challenges when it comes to college students with autism. These include the individual, the institution they are attending, the school system itself, and misunderstandings from society.

[Event] American College Personnel Association 2017 Conference

Over 50,000 students with Autism will enroll in college each fall, a number that is growing annually. How are campuses responding? A review of sixteen major higher education journals shows scant interest in this population. But strategies must begin with research. This session will highlight a current study that looks at peer perceptions of students with Autism. The findings offer insights into developing a campus culture where students with Autism are understood and more likely to succeed.

[Event] NASPA 2017 Annual Conference: Pre-Con

NASPA 2017 Annual Conference: Pre-Con Students with Autism: Inclusion Begins with Understanding Saturday, March 11, 2017, San Antonio, TX Presented By: Personal website About the Conference NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health,...

[Event] 36th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience

Campuses are seeing an increase in the number of students with diagnoses of Autism/Asperger Syndrome. These students bring with them both remarkable talents and resilience as well as social, behavioral and communication challenges that can complicate their campus experience. First-year students with autism are especially vulnerable because of the challenges they face responding to transitions. Participants will learn about autism: its common characteristics and how those may be problematic, and how a campus can become a more inclusive place for students on the spectrum.

Students on the Autism Spectrum: RA Training Module

Download these training materials through the button below, or read the individual sections through the tabs below The purpose of this training module is to provide Resident Assistants (RAs) with 1) an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its characteristics...

[News] Applications Are Now Open for the ASAN Summer Leadership Academy

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is currently accepting applications for its 2017 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Summer Leadership Academy. This initiative serves as an opportunity for college students on the spectrum to enhance their ability to effect change...

[Event] 2017 Association for Student Conduct Association Conference

The rise in the number of college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger Syndrome challenges our campuses to respond with services that support these unique, smart and sometimes-challenging students. Three senior student conduct officers will share their experiences with, and insights about, a population that requires us to think differently about our work.

[Event] 2017 NASPA Mental Health Conference: A NASPA Strategies Conference

More students come to campus each year with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s. How can we help our campuses be more flexible environments and our colleagues be more knowledgeable advocates to better serve these students? Too often, it is the counseling center and the disabilities services staff who are charged with “managing” these complex students. This session will provide guidance to counseling and disabilities staff who want to empower everyone on campus to support these students

[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 NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. We serve a full range of...

[Event] Mental Health Matters Conference 2016

Mental Health Matters 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...

[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...

[Training] Learn about legal and practical considerations for education administrators working with students on the autism spectrum

Law firm, Fisher Phillips will be holding a webinar hosted by attorneys Scott Schneider and Josh Zugish for those who wish to learn more about the legal and practical matters education administrators should consider when working with students on the autism spectrum....

[Internship] Curriculum Development and Training

The Curriculum Development Interns will play an integral role in developing and identifying the training initiatives of the College Autism Network (CAN). The interns will develop curricula, materials, and resources for distinct stakeholder audiences. One intern will focus on training for postsecondary administrators and instructors; the other intern will focus on training for autistic students and their advocates. Curriculum Development Interns will also deliver training programs locally and nationally, both in-person and online. The interns will work closely with other team members of CAN to produce training materials that are evidence-based, accessible to all types of learners, and scalable across multiple platforms.

[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.

[Internship] Student Organizations

The Student Organizations Intern will play an active role in building grassroots, student-led organizations supported by the College Autism Network (CAN). As part of CAN’s Student Advocacy and Support team, the person in this position will work with active undergraduate students to initiate, develop, and advise a new FSU student organization supporting and advocating for students with autism. In addition, the intern will work to identify and interface with similar student organizations at universities across the country, ultimately creating a national network of student organizations.

[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!

[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.

[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...

[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.

[Training] Emerging Practices for Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum in Higher Education

(Guide developed a team led by the Rochester Institution of Technology) ABSTRACT: Currently, only a limited number of colleges across the nation offer specialized supports that address the needs of the increasing number of college students on the autism spectrum...

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