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Autism &
College
Autism & College can definitely go together!
Many neurodiverse students, as well as those with learning differences or learning disabilities, are very successful in college – it just means that some extra attention may be needed in a few critical areas.
College brings the opportunity to make new friends, explore interesting subjects, and learn how to live independently as a young adult. It also provides some challenges, as students need to learn how to navigate a new set of hidden rules and social expectations. Learn more about how Mansfield Hall supports college students with Autism and other learning differences.
The College Experience for Students with Autism
At first glance, colleges can look like impersonal bureaucracies, with lots of rules and regulations. While clear expectations may be appealing for some students, it is also important to remember that not every rule is permanent. Just because a professor’s syllabus provides a due date, and also states that no late work will be graded, does not mean that that same professor will not gladly offer an extension on a paper if a student asks with enough lead time. This is confusing, because one rule is clearly stated, and yet that same rule can be easily changed just by asking.
How are college students with Autism supposed to be able to tell the difference between rules and regulations that are flexible and those that cannot be changed? How can students leverage their strengths while also continuing to build critical executive functioning and time management skills? Where can students go to receive the support needed for success on a college campus? These questions can only be answered by asking for help. For students who are motivated to “do it on my own” and who “do not want to use my needs as a crutch” it may be counterintuitive to ask for accommodations or exceptions to clearly stated rules – but the reality is that most students are asking for exceptions, extensions, and dispensations because they know how to navigate the world of hidden rules. In fact, it is only students who don’t that find themselves at a disadvantage.
College can be a place where students with Autism can thrive – but it also requires students to be more proactive in acknowledging their areas of growth and asking for support and services. To learn more about Mansfield Hall’s support and services please contact us today.
Good things take time- Eugene Halloween on Polaroids
Obsessed with a crafty queen! Aven and life skills coach Juneau working on her Halloween costume 🎃👻.
PS. Burlington students, be sure to check out sewing club!
Sometimes a 5K is called a fun run- can confirm that much fun was had by all! 🏃
We`re doing our best to soak up these last fall days- it was well worth the effort this hike took!
There’s some fascinating research coming out surrounding the possible links between neurodivergence, hyper mobility, and regulation right now.
The overall conversation is surrounding the idea that neurodivergent folks are 4 times more likely to have generalized hypermoblity- a connective tissue disorder where the ligaments in the body are looser and thusly have to effort extra hard to hold everything in the body together. This additional effort the body has to exert daily to keep everything in order may be linked to a host of things, all pointing to the idea that these folks systems are working overtime to keep regulated.
Exercise, especially strength training can help ease this strain on the body by strengthening the muscles around the ligaments, which can help ease the job of those ligaments with consistent training over time.
Mansfield Hall offers students the opportunity to join in for two structured workouts a week focused on upper and lower body as well as core stability for this reason!
References
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