Educating College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Dianne Zager is Michael C. Koffler Professor in Autism and Director of the Autism Specialist Advanced Certification Program at Pace University, where she founded and directed the Center for Teaching and Research in Autism and the OASIS College Support Program. She was founding co-editor of the journal Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. Carol Alpern is Director of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at Pace Univeristy. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist, and has the Certificate of Clinical Competence and Specialty Board Recognition in Child Language from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Barbara McKeon is Director of Aaron Academy, a private special education program serving students in grades 6 to 12, as well as a licensed speech-language pathologist. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Autism from the University of Vermont and has studied Critical Issues in Urban Special Education Institutes at Harvard. She is currently on the faculty at Pace University and is enrolled in a doctoral program at Seton Hall University. Susan Maxam is University Director for Student Success at Pace University. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Higher Education Leadership and Social Justice at Union Institute & University.Janet Mulvey is an assistant professor and an educational supervisor in a college support program at Pace University. She received her Ph.D. from Fordham University, and has also served as a school principal and teacher.

• Section I IntroductionThis section explains who these students are, why they are arriving in greater numbers at colleges, and legal mandates regarding students’ educational rights and college/professorial responsibilities.Section II In the ClassroomSection II considers specific learning characteristics and styles of students with ASD and provides recommended strategies for engaging and assessing students on the spectrum.Section III  Case StudiesIn Section III, particular cases are used to highlight student and faculty experiences and to illustrate approaches that have been successful in dealing with challenging situations.Section IV  Annotated References and ResourcesA final section includes a list of resources with descriptions for learning more about teaching and supporting students on the autism spectrum.

"Recognizing the increasing diversity of our college classrooms, Educating College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders provides a useful overview of common challenges experienced by students on the autism spectrum and helpful strategies and suggestions for faculty who wish to support them in their classrooms." —Teachers College Record