| For a student with learning disabilities, it is | | | | high-functioning autistics or have Asperger's |
| important to note that Individualized Educational | | | | Syndrome. They do so well because they are |
| Programs (IEPs) end with the senior year of high | | | | working in the field of their obsession. It is |
| school. It is therefore essential that students | | | | important for those students to transition to an |
| develop self-determination and self-advocacy | | | | appropriate work environment in post-college life. |
| traits. In college, there is no "higher authority" | | | | These students must determine whether they |
| looking after a student's best interests, or making | | | | are capable of working in an environment that |
| sure that he or she gets what is needed. That is | | | | requires interaction or whether they are better |
| now solely the student's responsibility. (Note - | | | | off working solo. If the job doesn't meet the |
| sometimes students enrolled in structured disability | | | | "social" requirements of the student, life after |
| support programs can obtain assistance with this | | | | college can prove to be very disappointing. |
| from disability support personnel.) | | | | Colleges that are known to provide good support |
| Most colleges take autistic students, whether they | | | | to students with Asperger's Syndrome are |
| know it or not. My younger son found himself | | | | Muskingham College, Clark University, Curry |
| living with an autistic suite-mate at George | | | | College, Guilford College, and University of Iowa. |
| Washington University. The boy and my son | | | | Begin your search with these to get a sense of |
| shared a passion for sports and history, and both | | | | the full range of services available. You can then |
| were enrolled in the Eliot School of International | | | | decide which services your teen will need to |
| Affairs at George Washington University. The boy | | | | thrive. At that point, you may want to explore |
| was an excellent student - history was his strong | | | | other schools that offer the services you are |
| academic interest. The "geeks," science buffs, | | | | seeking, preferably small colleges that can devote |
| musicians and actors, even historians, are often | | | | time to your teen. |