College Programs for Students on the Autism Spectrum

While the recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) eliminated Asperger’s as a diagnostic category, the number of highly intelligent college students with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to rise. Their needs are always individualized but, as a group, these students tend to have difficulty with social interactions and executive functioning skills such as planning ahead and problem solving. These symptoms often emerge to a greater extent once the student is away from home and faced with a less structured but more highly demanding college environment. As a result, many college students with ASD can become overwhelmed, depressed, and isolated despite their high intelligence. Students with ASD have limited success at completing a college degree due to these functional limitations. To address this emerging population’s needs, more colleges and universities are developing specialized programs to help address the social, emotional, and educational needs of students with ASD. CRG congratulates Ancilla College. In launching its APAC Program, Ancilla becomes the first Indiana institution of higher education with a program specifically dedicated to the needs of these students. Other in-state programs of note are the University of Indianapolis’s BUILD Program, Bloomington’s College Internship Program (CIP), and Ball State University’s Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Learn more about how CRG can help through its ASD Services.