Perry LaRoque
Succeeding in College with Asperger’s Syndrome
Succeeding in college with Asperger’s Syndrome can be challenging given the novel set of social norms, expectations, and hidden rules. Learning, but more importantly, understanding this complicated web of expectations can be a challenging goal for students with Asperger’s Syndrome.…
Transitional College Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Reality check: no one is going to wake you up in college. In fact, your parents are likely at home sipping Bloody Marys discussing how nice it is to have turned your room into the guest room and how relaxing…
Universal Design for Learning: The Metaphorical Ramp to Curricular Content
Teachers in elementary schools, high schools, and college classrooms alike constantly ask themselves similar questions: Why aren’t my students performing well on tests? Why aren’t my students understanding the concepts I am teaching them? Why aren’t my students meeting the…
Because We are All Family: Guaranteeing Paid Leave for New Parents at Mansfield Hall
New families and employees will often hear “Welcome to the Mansfield Family” on their first day. We don’t mean this lightly. Everything we do at Mansfield Hall is centered around building community. And, as most know, a tight community is no…
A Rally Cry for Diverse Learners Heading to College
Rise Up My Fellow Jackhammers and Set Your Sights on the Stairs that Rise Before You. The commencement of a new college year is upon us and the call to those who challenge the paradigm of these institutions is louder…
Mansfield Hall Fellow Says Thanks
At our End of the Year Banquet last week, we allowed students to give speeches or final reflections. One of our fellows, Caitlin, asked if she could share a few words. Mansfield Hall Fellows are a unique aspect to our…
Promoting Academic Success for College Students with Asperger’s Syndrome and Other Executive Functioning Challenges
As leaves crunched beneath my feet on a trail up Camel’s Hump Mountain last weekend, I realized that fall has begun and that we are moving into yet another magnificent hiking season. Each season brings with it new challenges, and…
How Mansfield Hall Differs from CIP Worldwide and CLE: Understanding the Key Differences
When it comes to college support programs, Mansfield Hall stands out in several key ways that differentiate it from its counterparts, such as CIP Worldwide (College Internship Program) and CLE (College Living Experience). Here are the main differences: Mansfield Hall…
College Support Program: Getting Ready for the Fall at Mansfield Hall
Walking home from dinner last week, after enjoying a beautiful evening on Church St., in downtown Burlington, I overheard someone say that it was the first night that the sun went down before 8pm, and yesterday I saw my first…
The Changing Collegiate Landscape for Students with Disabilities: The Need for College Support Programs
Early in the history of American schooling, high school was reserved for the brightest students, those who would become our doctors, lawyers, and engineers. As high school became the norm for all students, college began to play the role of differentiating…
Feeling overwhelmed in college- but not sure why? you’re not alone.
The key isn’t just “pushing through”, it’s learning to recognize what’s happening before you hit that wall, and having systems to reset.
That might look like:
• stepping outside for a walk
• box breathing between classes
• putting on a guided meditation
• reaching out to someone you trust
Small supports = big difference over time.
At Mansfield Hall, we help students build the awareness and tools to regulate, recharge, and navigate college in a way that actually works for them.
What’s one thing that helps you reset when you’re overwhelmed?
#CollegeLife #StudentMentalHealth #ExecutiveFunction #StressManagement
Excellent week across the board!
People Ops team member Jo touched down in Madison, receiving a warm welcome with coffee and a trip to see the Capitol building. VP of Program Ops Hayley grounded herself and took in the beauty of the Statehouse. Pancakes were served, and Burlington student Nikhil took the stage to perform with his choir.
A great week to zoom out and back in- and reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for!
#collegesupport #neurodiversity #worklifebalance
College can be energizing… and draining.
If you’ve ever felt socially exhausted, you’re not alone.
Understanding your limits (and what helps you recharge) can make all the difference.
#CollegeStudents #Neurodiversity #StudentWellbeing
Hangin` in there until spring weather kicks in!
This week at Mansfield Hall our Eugene, OR students did some rock climbing, Burlington, VT connections students took an outing to the bowling alley/arcade, while others took a trip to a local sugar house to learn about all things maple syrup. Students in Madison, WI continued their endeavors to learn about all things maintenance...and they make it look fun!
Happy Friday Friends- enjoy the weekend.
Mansfield Hall had the joy of hosting some professionals at our Madison, WI location recently, which included a student panel.
One of the questions asked was: What do you like about Mansfield Hall?
The answer: how inclusive it is.
No one gets to choose the brain they have, but we do get to choose the world we create. We choose to accept, celebrate, and work toward a world that’s more inclusive of every brain and the incredible things they can do.
Happy World Autism Awareness Day. We see you, and we celebrate you for all that you are and all that you can be!
❤️MH
#autismawareness #neurodiversity #collegesupport
Sensory overload happens when your brain receives more sensory input than it can comfortably process.
Our nervous systems are constantly taking in information, but when there’s too much coming in (or it’s coming too fast) our systems can become overwhelmed.
We get it, and it can be managed with small, intentional supports like reducing input, creating predictable routines, and building in quiet recovery time.
