Colleges and Spectrum Disorders

A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education discussed a program at Boston University run by Lorraine Wolf in the Disabilities office that provides additional services to college students with Asperger's or related problems.  The program operates by charging these students an additional $4,500 in fees to cover the costs of the time spent by college staff.  The idea is an interesting one, but very different from what we are doing in our program at Keene State College.  Our program is free to both college students or others in the community with AS or HFA and is supported by a variety of grants.  We even provide discrete trials training to young children with autism at no cost.

In today's MP3 audio program, I talk more about this program and include commentary by my colleague, Dr. Linda Baker, co-founder of our program and Professor of Psychology at KSC.  Click on the link below to hear today's program:

Download pr2_complete.mp3 (8mins, 40 secs; 2.95 MB)

Comments

[Amy Barbieri]

This program reminds me a lot of the main ideas behind student teaching. The psychology students get an early start working in something similar to the field they are studying, while families and patients with aspbergers and autism benefit without large medical bills. Everyone wins.

[Shandra Lamb]

I think the Keene State program is an exciting idea. As everyone else has already mentioned, it's a win-win situation for everyone. I find the Asperger's a particularly interesting area myself, and really hope to help out in the program sometime during my four years here.
Thanks for shedding light on the subject.

[Thomas Sacco]

I think thats these programs would be very good for teaching students to handle the actual disorder. I feel that doing something yourself is the best ways to learn something, rather than just having a teacher lecture to you. It creates more of a personal attachment to the information than being stuck in a lecture hall. Not to meantion that the information they are being taught gives the student the ability to affectively help the person wtih autism/aspergers.

[Joel Brown]

I aloso feel that this is a good program to have. I'm sure that there are many other financial expenses that the parents that these students with aspergers have and this is one less debt that they would have to worry about. Not only is it helping out the students with aspergers and autism, but it is helping ambitious psychology students. Both parties in this situation are benifiting from this program.
Like Dr. baker, I too feel that everyone should know how to act when dealing with a person who has aspergers or autisim. I myself, have first hand experience with this. My freshman year here I lived in fiske hall. Many people who have autisim and aspergers also live in fiske hall. So for about four months i came in contact with these students just about everyday. I first I found it kind of awkward, but soon after I began to develop a good understanding on how to deal with these students. In a way just by living in Fiske Hall was a college learning experience all in its own.

[Rob Kiely]

I never knew that they wanted to conduct this type a program but i think it is interesting. I dont know too much about Autism and Aspergers but i believe this tool encourages people to embrace the approach rather than to shy away from it. It is good to see that students here are taking steps to help those who need it. If the resource is there why not seize the opportunity.

[Stephanie Rascona]

I don't mean to sound like a suck up, but Keene State College should be proud of those teachers who give back to there students. It is a really great thing that you and Mrs. Baker set up a program for those with Asperegers'. This will defianly help those who want to learn more about this disease and those who have it. It is a shame that most program like this cost money, but this is a great how this is free of charge, which I hope more people will realize that you are doing something good for Keene State.

[Ben Gropp]

This program sounds like an excellent way to give every student the same chance to do just as well as the next one. I don't understand by BU would make people with a handicap or disorder pay extra fees just to get the same treatment that other people get who don't pay any additional fees. This definitely is a step in the right direction.

[kara gallagher]

i agree, lets use what we can while its there. educating others in the community is an excellent way to get people to realize the differences thats there as well as a way of helping ones with the disorders. having students use this for an applied psychology is a good way for them to learn about it as well as for their future. it is something i would enjoy doing as well.

[Rachel Schmitt]

I really think it's excellent that you set up this program for people with Aspbergers. It will benefit everyone, not only those that have Aspergers, but those who don't have it and want to learn more about what it is. I personally have never really been around someone with Autism or Aspergers, but I think if I did I would be better off. In case I am in a situation with someone who has autism or aspergers, I would have a better idea of what to do,and why they were acting the way they were acting. It really will be a beneficial program.

[Lauren Levinstim]

It is a great idea to give college students an opportunity to learn more about asperger's first hand, and to give people with asperger's free assistance. Through programs like this, there is a lot of information being gained by everyone. Maybe now, in the future, people will have a better understanding of asperger's and autism.

[lorraine drake]

HI WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OTHERS WITH ASBERGERS CONDITION TO FIND A FRIEND FOR MY 36 YEAR OLD SON WHO IS LONELY ALSO I NEED A BREAK LORRAINE DRAKE