Breaking Down the Stigma of Having Autism in College

With the right support, having autism in college can be an incredible experience. Here’s how we help students with autism succeed.

College life is a transformative period, offering students a chance to learn, grow, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. However, for individuals with autism, college can be uniquely challenging.

How so?

Social, sensory, and academic demands of higher education – to name a few.

In recent years, there has been a growing effort to break down the stigma surrounding autism in college. At Mansfield Hall, we partner with colleges and universities to flip the script on what the college experience can look like for all students – neurodivergent or not.

At Mansfield Hall, we have created an evidence-based and practical approach to empowering students to thrive in college and daily life.

Our mission is to build a community that empowers and supports students with diverse learning needs to earn a college degree, develop authentic living skills, and create a meaningful life.

Our Four-Core Approach is the basic framework of our work with students. It addresses the essential areas of a successful college experience. For students with autism and who identify themselves on the neurodivergent spectrum, we’ve found this approach to be incredibly successful. Let’s break it down:

Living. Learning. Giving. Engaging.

Each core area is interdependent on the other. Students must develop skills in each core area to reach their true potential.

A positive college experience must effectively balance the development of academic, independent living, social, and vocational skills. it must also include self-monitoring, self-advocacy, and executive functioning across all areas.

Our goal-setting, progress monitoring, and ongoing coaching address these Four-Core Areas – Living, Learning, Giving, and Engaging.

Our team works closely with each student to identify, set, and achieve individualized goals in the Four-Core Areas. In addition to providing a residential experience within a supportive community, this coaching relationship is central to the Mansfield Hall experience. Here’s a closer look:

Our Four-Core Approach in Action for Students with Autism in College

Individuals with Autism in College Can Be Incredibly Successful

Breaking down the stigma of having autism in college is an ongoing movement that we’ve been a part of for the past decade since we opened our doors. We’ve seen countless students with autism, and their loved ones, rejoice and literally weep because they can have an amazing college experience – something that they never thought possible.

To learn more about our Four-Core Approach, please visit here, where we explore these four-core areas in more detail, including our:

• Pathway to Independence Model
• Our Student MAP (Making Action Plans)
• Assessment Tools
• Community & Coaching Model

If you have specific questions about our approach, please get in touch with us by clicking the link below: