A new programme offers support to students with Asperger syndrome who are about to start college
STARTING COLLEGE is daunting for most students after the structured learning environment of secondary school. However, for students with Asperger syndrome, the academic aspects of college life are often the easiest.
It’s the logistics of managing timetables in different lecture theatres, planning reading material in the library and socialising that are the most challenging to this particular batch of students.
“Starting college is a big change and change is difficult for students with Asperger syndrome,” says Mary Rose Sweeney, a lecturer in Health Systems Research in the School of Nursing and Human Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU) who has co-ordinated the first orientation programme to third-level education for students on the Autism spectrum.
“Entry to third-level education system is challenging because of the level of independence it requires. These students will have the academic ability to succeed at university but they may struggle with organisational and socialising skills,” she adds.
The Autism College and Community Life Acclimation and Intervention Model (Acclaim) programme will run from August 8th to 22nd in DCU. “We’ve had over 60 applications for the 12 places on the course,” says Sweeney.
The free course will be run in conjunction with Irish Autism Action and the Watson Institute in Pittsburgh in the United States, which has expertise in this area. If successful, it will be open to more students next year.
Kevin Whelan, chief executive of Irish Autism Action, says the programme will make a huge difference to students who attend it.
“A lot of university students with Asperger syndrome tend to drop out as they haven’t managed the change from secondary to third level. Making friends is the biggest challenge and feeling a sense of belonging in university life,” he says.
Irish Autism Action has been funded to support a three-year alliance with the Watson Institute to run this orientation programme, an integrated summer camp and other diagnostic and assessment work. “There’s a moral and economic argument for such courses. With the orientation course, we are transforming people’s lives so that they can complete their education and become professionals who contribute to the economy rather than be a cost to the State,” says Whelan.
The course is being held in August to allow the students off-peak access to the university’s facilities before the masses of students arrive. This means they can learn to negotiate their way round the bookstore, cafeterias, library and recreational facilities before most students arrive.
“Specifically trained staff will provide individualised programmes that will focus on social interactions, social communication and daily living skills, coping and problem-solving skills,” explains Sweeney.
Staff from the not-for-profit Watson Institute will lead the programme with the help of DCU staff. Although all the training will take place on the DCU campus, the students on the course can be attending any third-level college in the autumn.
Studies carried out at the Watson Institute have found that when students do this programme, they are better prepared and therefore less anxious about starting college. As a result, they are happier and more settled.
“The staff at Watson have told us that what the students need help with most is finding places on campus, knowing how to work the system and getting what they need. Making friends can be more difficult,” says Sweeney.
DCU also offers ongoing support to students with Asperger syndrome through the Unilink programme run in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin. Irish Autism Action offers an outreach programme to help support students throughout their time at university.
For information on how to apply for the Autism College and Community Life Acclimation and Intervention Model next year, contact Dr Mary Rose Sweeney, ( maryrose.sweeney@dcu.ie). See thewatsoninstitute.organd autismireland.ie
