College Support for Neurodiverse Students: Mansfield Hall’s Comprehensive Model
College can be an exciting but overwhelming transition for any student. For neurodiverse students, the experience is often compounded by challenges in executive functioning, social communication, sensory integration, and navigating academic expectations. That’s why college support for neurodiverse students must go beyond traditional accommodations and offer a comprehensive, personalized approach.
At Mansfield Hall, our mission is to support students who are neurodiverse—those who may have diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, or specific learning disabilities, by helping them transition to, and thrive in, a college environment. We do this through a unique, whole-student model built around four key pillars: Living, Learning, Giving, and Engaging.
Living: A Safe and Supportive Environment
The first pillar of our model is Living. Students at Mansfield Hall live in thoughtfully structured residential settings that combine independence with just the right level of support. Staff are available to assist with everything from managing daily routines to navigating social interactions with peers. This living arrangement is a vital piece of effective college support for neurodiverse students, as it offers both structure and flexibility.
Learning: Academic Growth with Real-World College Coursework
The Learning pillar centers on building academic confidence and competence. Students at Mansfield Hall attend local colleges and universities as fully matriculated students, often starting with a reduced course load to ensure success. What sets us apart is that we provide layered support, including one-on-one tutoring, academic coaching, and executive functioning support. These services are essential components of college support for neurodiverse students, helping them navigate assignments, meet deadlines, and participate meaningfully in class discussions.
Giving: Building Purpose Through Service
In addition to personal and academic growth, we believe in nurturing a sense of purpose and belonging. Our Giving pillar encourages students to engage with their communities through volunteering and service learning. For many students, giving back can increase self-esteem, build professional skills, and foster emotional resilience – key outcomes in any meaningful model of college support for neurodiverse students.
Engaging: Social Skills and Emotional Development
The fourth pillar, Engaging, focuses on helping students grow their social and emotional intelligence. Social coaching, group activities, and structured outings allow students to build relationships, practice communication, and develop conflict resolution skills. For neurodiverse students, these opportunities are critical. Social isolation is one of the most significant risk factors in college, and structured engagement is a cornerstone of effective college support for neurodiverse students.
A Bridge Between High School and Independence
Mansfield Hall acts as a bridge between the structure of high school and the independence of college. We don’t just help students pass their classes – we help them build lives. The work we do helps neurodiverse students develop the confidence, skills, and resilience they need to succeed in college and beyond.
If you’re looking for comprehensive college support for neurodiverse students, please reach out to our team and we can have an exploratory conversation to see if Mansfield Hall is right for you!
Shanah Tovah! (שנה טובה)
Happy Rosh Hashanah to all who celebrate!
For anyone wondering, today is the start of the Jewish New Year.
It`a Friday- time for a weekly recap.
Our Burlington and Madison students are in the swing of things with classes, but that`s not stopping them from making time for fun!
Pictured:
- Coffee club
- Carfternoon adventure
- Sweet treat o`clock
- BTV Bike shed being enjoyed
Not Pictured:
- Countless other moments of fun
Students, what are you looking forward to this weekend? Comment below ⬇️
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art was a joy!
Saw some incredible pieces and pondered accordingly 🤔🎨
Ever have a hard time getting started on a project? This could be for a host of reasons, but the name for starting that to do list item is called task initiation.
Some folks just have a hard time getting started. We`ve included some tips to help, but we`d love to hear from you too.
What`s your most unhinged tip to get started on tasks you`ve been avoiding?
We don`t know about you, but our students and staff alike are soaking up the last of summer, grilling, chilling, and getting outside.
This week included our Madison students getting their hands dirty in the kitchen, Eugene taking a trip to the raptor center and a jaunt to the farmers market, and the Burlington students relishing the field day memories with classes in full swing.
What was your favorite part of the week?
The Q&A continues!
Masking is a hotly debated topic at the moment. Some professionals have differing opinions, but our stance is that while a more inclusive world is something we can all be working towards, there`s a time and a place for the ways we show up, and knowing how to differentiate has value.
What do you think?
