College Planning and Support Resources
Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Developmental Disabilities (AHEADD) - The purpose of this organization is to assist college students succeed academically and socially at some of the country's most competitive colleges.
Asperger Foundation International - Provides a college resource guide for persons with Asperger Syndrome.
Aspires Climbing the Mountain Together: Autism Spectrum Disorders and Choosing College Courses - This website helps to identify steps to choosing a field of study and college courses.
Beach Center on Disability - This website provides information for parents and professionals on Positive Behavior Support & Person-Centered Planning across the age span, along with other issues related to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
College Autism Spectrum - Their purpose is to assist students with ASD explore and navigate college options before, during and through the college process.
College Living Experience - CLE helps students with special needs acquire the fundamental skills that will help them experience success in college and prepare to transition into independent adulthood. Mentors, tutors and independent living skills instructors at CLE provide the support and assistance that helps students with autism and Asperger's manage the demands of college.
College Planning and Workforce Preparation - Articles and sites aimed at preparing the student with autism for college and for entering the workforce once schooling is complete.
Colleges that Support Students with AS - A non-exhaustive list of autism-specific programs to enable students on the autistic spectrum to succeed at college.
Guidelines for College Success - The transition to a college environment can be difficult for many individuals with ASD. However, with preparation and transition planning, the process can be customized for your young adult, thereby increasing the potential for success.
Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D - Willey is an individual with Aspergers. Her website has helpful information about Aspergers Syndrome. She was the keynote speaker at the Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference in 2009. (Her powerpoint resources can be found at http://www.okautism.org/oaapartners/agenda/).
Life Journey through Autism Series - This page includes a Guide for Transition to Adulthood.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition - This website coordinates national resources and provides information and technical assistance.
Person Centered Planning Education Site - This website was developed by staff from the Employment and Disability Institute, at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. The site has courses and resources on person-centered planning.
SCERTSTM - This website contains comprehensive information about the SCERTSTM Model and available resources to assist professionals and parents in developing and implementing educational programs for children with ASD and related disabilities.
Tools to Help Young People Prepare for Adulthood - This website provides life skills assessments. Customized learning plans provide a clear outline of next steps, and the accompanying teaching resources are available for free or at a minimal cost.
Transition Resources - Nationally, eligible students can access transition services through the local public schools. The state department of education is responsible for ensuring the local school districts comply with the requirement of the Individual's with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), 2004. They have published the Transition Resource Guide to help students, their families, and professionals through the transition process.
For additional resources on secondary transition, click on this link, and then click "Secondary Transition" or call (405) 522-3248.
Understanding Aspergers Syndrome: A professor's guide (video) - Published by the Organization for Autism Reseach, a multimedia file intended for professors, teaching assistants, and others about what it means to be a college student on the spectrum and how they might best be able to help them succeed.
University of Kansas, Transition Coalition - This website provides information, support, and professional development on topics related to the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities.
University of Oklahoma, Zarrow Center - The Zarrow Center facilitates student-directed educational, employment and adult living outcomes for individuals with disabilities, fosters innovative self-determination oriented instruction and transition education practices, and prepares educational leaders.
USC Marshall - "Preparing to be Nerdy Where Nerdy Can be Cool: College Planning for Students on the Autism Spectrum" This page includes a survey of colleges with experience serving students on the autism spectrum, a list of books, and a personal experience by a professor.
Ziggurat Model - A framework for designing comprehensive interventions for individuals with high-functioning autism and asperger syndrome. This website provides information about the book by Ruth Aspy, PhD and Barry G. Grossman, PhD.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE
OK-AHEAD Scholarship - The membership of OK-AHEAD provides scholarship money to students with disabilities in post-secondary education. Three scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship documents can be accessed through the OK-AHEAD website.
Awards:
A.C.C.E.S.S. Award - The OK-AHEAD membership recognizes a person outside the field of disability services who advocates, supports, and pursues the issues of equal access and opportunity to students with disabilities. This is called the A.C.C.E.S.S. (Advocacy, Cooperation, and Concern for Encouraging Student Success) award. Nominations are accepted until February and the award is presented at the yearly spring conference. Additional criteria for this award can be found on the OK-AHEAD website.
Outstanding New Professional-Newbie Award - The OK-AHEAD New Professional Award recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to the field of higher education preformed by a member starting out in OK- AHEAD program community, serving no more than five years.
The OK-AHEAD Professional Recognition Award - The OK-AHEAD Professional Recognition Award recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to the field of higher education.
The OK-AHEAD Distinguished Service Award - The OK-AHEAD Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals whose vision, values, efforts and/or accomplishments have had a significant impact on inclusion and access for people with disabilities in Higher Education. Contact Kimberly Fields (kfields1@uco.edu) for nominations. Click this link for additional information.
2010 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS SCHOLARSHIP - Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for high school seniors and college students who have parents with disabilities. A total of ten $1000 scholarships will be given out Fall 2010. These scholarships are part of Through the Looking Glass' National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families. Please note that the 2010 awards have different application procedures than previous years. There are separate scholarship awards for high school seniors and for college students, and each has separate eligibility requirements:
1. High School Seniors- To be eligible, a student must be a high school graduate (or graduating senior) by Summer 2010, planning to attend a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, and have at least one parent with a disability.
2. College Students- To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in Fall 2010 in pursuit of an AA, BA or BS degree, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 1, 2010, and have at least one parent with a disability.
All application materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2010. Individuals may submit only one application per award period.
Selection criteria for all scholarships include academic performance, community activities and service, letter of recommendation and an essay describing the experience of growing up with a parent with a disability.
For more information including the application form, complete application directions and an FAQ page that answers many common questions as well as offers helpful suggestions.