Preparing Your Young Adult for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
May 08, 2020
This blog post has been adapted from “Chapter 5: Postsecondary Education” of OAR’s resource “A...
Self-advocacy (n.) is an individual’s ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate or assert his or her own interests, desires, needs, and rights. It involves making informed decisions and taking responsibility for those decisions (VanReusen et al., 1994). Self-advocacy skills can be learned, and are crucial to develop in order for you to gain independence and make important decisions about your own life.
Three students, Capri, Haley, and Jamie, allowed us to interview them about their college experiences. Read their interviews to get a glimpse of how they self-advocate, manage academics, and navigate campus life.
Hometown: Batavia, Ohio
University/Program: Studying Media Arts and Animation at the Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati
Autism Symptoms: Echolalia, stimming, routine dependence
Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida
University/Program: Law, University of Miami. J.D. expected May 2018.
B.A. in Criminology & Law and B.S. in Psychology from University of Florida in 2015
Autism Symptoms: Major challenges in college included learning to live independently, executive functioning skills, and stress management.
Hometown: Webster, New York
University/Program: Sophomore studying Communications at Monroe Community College
Autism Symptoms: Stimming, verbal repetition
Here are some tips and checklists to help you best prepare for college.
Dena Gassner explains how her academic trajectory was so different from her son's, and why it's so important to be true to yourself.
Tucker James Collins, a bright young man with Asperger Syndrome, shares his experience transferring colleges and getting the financial support he needed to gain true independence. Tucker graduated with honors from Drexel University.
Preparing Your Young Adult for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
May 08, 2020
This blog post has been adapted from “Chapter 5: Postsecondary Education” of OAR’s resource “A...
Disclosure from Personal Points of View
August 05, 2019
Deciding when and how to disclose autism is complex and personal for each individual with...
Trains: How My Special Interest Became My Career
May 08, 2019
Many children are born with two natural fears: the fear of falling and the fear...
Self-Advocate Haley Moss Admitted to Florida Bar
January 14, 2019
Last week, Haley Moss, self-advocate and member of the OAR community, became a member of...
June 06, 2018
Take this quiz to see how much you know about being a self-advocate! ...
March 22, 2018
This is the second part to Kat Albee’s blog post Finding Resources. In the conclusion of...
March 15, 2018
Self-advocate Kat Albee highlights ways in which those on the spectrum can be resourceful and hold...
January 16, 2018
Self-advocate Kat Albee shares her knowledge on how to approach responding diplomatically in the blogosphere...
What To Say & What Not To Say To Someone With Autism
December 13, 2017
This post originally appeared on The Journey Through Autism. It is re-posted here with permission. Throughout...
Asperger’s and Intimacy Through Chess
November 29, 2017
This post originally appeared on The Mighty. It is re-posted here with permission. Communication is...
What Holds Self-Advocates Back
August 16, 2017
Elaina Fernandez is a 2016 Schwallie Family Scholar. Entering her second year at University of...
Navigating the College Social Scene: Tips for Success Within and Beyond the Classroom
July 27, 2017
College provides you an opportunity to study subjects that you are genuinely interested in with...
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