Tony Y started this year at the University of Oregon, but he's ending it at Foothill College, a community college closer to where he's from in Northern California. At the start of his freshman year, he found he loved some things about the U of O and the city of Eugene, but definitely not the weather and maybe not the quarter system. So he decided to see if he might like another school on his original college list, St. Mary's, a smaller private college in California, better.  But,  he couldn't transfer in the middle of the year, so he moved home and spent the semester at a junior college. He liked it, he felt like the professors were more accessible, and, he plans to enroll at St. Mary's in the fall, maybe even try U of O again, down the line. His advice: if it doesn't feel right, go with your gut. 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Ben VanHook is a graduate student at George Mason University, studying public policy. He also works in Washington, D.C. as a Programs and Outreach Associate at the Organization for Autism Research, and as the first autistic student representative to the American Psychological Association. In this episode, Ben talks about how his self-advocacy grew into community advocacy, as he navigated his way to and from a high school that could support him; finding an undergraduate program that was a great fit for him at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA., and now, on to graduate school. Finding his own way prompted Ben to think about how he could help others find what works best for them, too. Ben also explains his work on autism appreciation --  not just autism awareness and acceptance of autistic people--  because he believes neurodiversity offers more in every setting.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Jasmine B is looking forward to graduating in May from UC Riverside with a degree in environmental engineering.

What she's not looking forward to is job hunting. For the past five years, she's been working at a fast-food restaurant to help pay for college, so she has plenty of work experience, but not in her chosen field. Jasmine says her college's career services advisors have been super helpful and had good news for her: the soft skills she already has in customer service will look good to employers.  And she got a lot of help polishing her resume to highlight all she has to offer.  Hear Jasmine talk about those resume hacks, her final semesters, and getting ready for the road ahead. 

Support the show

Peri A. had to persuade her parents that she'd be just fine if she chose a college far from home. She grew up and went to high school in L.A.  But Hamilton College in upstate New York had everything she was looking for - a small school with a strong liberal arts program, accommodations for students on the spectrum, and a sense of community that she loved when she visited. Peri was able to convince her parents that with an aunt and uncle in NYC, she'd have family support near enough if she needed it. Now she's in her second semester, taking classes in Symbolic and Quantitative Reasoning, Spanish literature, a course in Mythology, and a poetry class. And Peri's looking forward to a summer internship. She lives in a dorm, in a "split single" room, so she has the space and privacy she craves after long days in class and clubs full of stimulation.  Peri also has something to say about the chocolate milk in the dining hall. You'll want to hear it.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Parents of students on the spectrum are often very involved because that is the only way to make sure school works for your child. Jackie Lorrainne began navigating her son James' school experiences as soon as he was diagnosed in elementary school, and all the way through his college graduation coming up in May of 2022 from the University of Missouri at St. Louis. 

Along the way she found James a therapeutic middle school and high school, she compromised with him about college choices, and, coached him over the phone about his dorm situation once he got there and eventually decided to transfer to a different university. Jackie just successfully defended her Ed.D. dissertation, based on her experiences seeking resources and supports as the mother guiding a young Black man with autism seeking success in school. For all of these reasons, this episode is a must-listen. 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

James T. had his heart set on attending an historically black college (HBCU). But the dorm set-up and social scene proved challenging. So for the second semester of his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He thrived there, socially and academically. He says he "found a home":  had an easier time in the dorms with a single room, and participated in a selective internship program. James is now a senior,  on track to graduate in the spring. But early on, he bypassed asking for some of the accommodations he was entitled to. James explains how being on the spectrum can make that complicated, and talks about how colleges are figuring it out.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Caroline talks with one of her professors at Cal State Fullerton, JudelMay Enriquez, about the ways they worked together. Caroline was struggling in a methods and research class. Even with accommodations, she found she got more support by visiting her professor during office hours to let her get to know her, and her learning style better. She also picked up strategies for keeping up in the course. They also discuss how professors can reach out to students on the spectrum who may benefit from academic support.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Tony Y. is three weeks into his freshman year at the University of Oregon, and so far he loves the vibe in Eugene, the great food in town, and his first-quarter classes: The Politics of Business, algebra, trumpet studio, and he's in the marching band.

Hear more about how Tony is settling in, his unique living arrangement, and his advice on how to talk to professors. Another hack: Get a Safeway card, don't DoorDash every meal.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Many colleges and universities are opening up more offerings for students on the spectrum who are seeking a college experience without pursuing a degree. These certificate programs are often a good fit for students who are curious about a range of subjects, seek social settings, and want to gain independent living skills but may have intellectual disabilities or other challenges. In this episode, we hear from Charlie who is a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Jessica Keefhaver who runs the Path to Independence project there.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show

Choosing the right school can require lots of research, especially when you're on the Spectrum. It's not just finding a college with majors you are interested in, but also figuring out which schools have support services and programs that match your needs. 

Eric Endlich has created a huge database on his website that lays it all out. He also advises students privately in his college counseling business that he founded because he saw too many students on the spectrum going off to college and having a hard time. He thought he could help, and now he's switched his focus from psychotherapy to college admissions. Hear what he has to say about the range of options out there, and how to choose a college.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Support the show