News and Knowledge

Although there are strong support organizations and programs for college students with autism, such as the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Project (GRASP) and Drexel University’s program for students (DASP), professors do not necessarily have access to similar resources for teaching students with autism. Yet they are responsible for accommodating a student’s academic plan and may also be a source of instruction and motivation, both inside and outside the classroom.

While more and more students with autism are going to college each year, many professors may not have experience teaching a student on the spectrum. To address this information gap, OAR has developed a video, Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A Professor’s Guide, to help walk professors through some of the ways they can help their students. The video covers:

• Challenges the student might face, including social interactions, control of their emotions, and independent living
• Students’ behavior patterns, such as sensory stimuli, understanding metaphors or loose language, and repetitive behaviors
• How to provide academic support by offering notes, giving permission to record lectures, and setting aside extra time for questions after class
• The importance of support systems for tutoring, social outreach, and health

Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D, chair of OAR’s Scientific Council, narrates the video, which also includes input from Michael John Carley, GRASP founder, and Kiriana Cowansage, Ph.D, a neuroscience researcher and member of GRASP. The video is set at a college university to provide the best context and visual explanation.

Understanding Asperger Syndrome: A Professor’s Guide can be downloaded for free or viewed online. Feedback and questions about this resource are welcome. Please direct all inquiries to programs@researchautism.org.