Asperger's Conversations

To My Friends in Kalamazoo: Stop by and say hello

I'll be giving some talks on Oct. 2 and 3 at Kalamazoo College in (where else?) Kalamazoo!  Here's where I'll be for a talk open to the public:

Hopeful Strategies for Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and their Families

 

 

                                    Thursday, October 2, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

                                    Olmsted Room, Mandelle Hall

Kalamazoo

College

Of course Western Michigan U. is famous for it's top flight behavioral psychology program, and Kalamazoo College is a premier liberal arts college.  I'll be talking about ideas for transitioning to young adulthood, key accomodations that Colleges and communities can make for individuals with AS/HFA, and even discuss some of our own research on language and social skills.  I'm also looking forward to meeting Pat Ponto, my contact at the College.

Asperger's and College Life: Great Panel at AANE yesterday

I enjoyed participating in a panel sponsored by the Asperger's Association of New England yesterday in Watertown, near Boston.  Other panel members included parents, two college students, as well as Megan Spencer from Brown University's Counseling Center and Korrine Hertz of Middlesex Community College.  One of the parents, Gina Minks writes a blog worth checking out.

So, in addition to zipping over to Faneuil Hall in Boston with my daughter for Thai noodles, I also listened carefully to what the other panelists had to say about surviving College with Asperger's.  Here are a few critical points I picked up from others:

1. Join Clubs

2. Have a key support person

3. Make use of the College Disability office

4. Use technology (I.M.ing, texting) to keep in touch with each other (Parent and child)

5. Use social coaching

6. Use tutoring services

7. Read the book "Colleges That Change Lives" by Loren Pope to help pick a school

8. Be up-to-date with documentation about your diagnosis

9. Check with your state Rehab. services to explore financial support of college

10. Get a single room if possible

This old blogger wrote in Early 2002 about "The IEP generation growing up" and wanting to go to College.  Well here they are and it is good to see organizations like AANE tackling inherent problems and issues.

More Blogging: Mat Clark gets inspired

Yesterday I helped two colleagues (1 psychology professor and 1 education professor) start new blogs, but even more exciting:  A student of mine emailed me 5 minutes ago to tell me he just started his own blog (no help from me, but apparently inspired by my in class rants to "get your ideas out there."  Among other topics (e.g., guns in schools), Keene State College student Mat Clark is blogging about Asperger's!  Go Mat!

AS Conversations takes a Labor Day Break: Check out the Keene Music Festival

Every year in little Keene, New Hampshire, the Keene Music Festival brings our little town to life!  Free music all over town on scores of stages, lots of town folk strolling about and listening to a wide range of music.  This time around I was tipped off to go hear Josh Noone and Federal Crime on one of the smaller stages off the beaten path...and I was pleasantly surprised.  I couldn't resist holding up the mike on my little digital recorder and later, chatting with Josh Noone and his band members.  Only once in awhile do I take some space here to report on some musical secrets...including Sashamon on Hawaii, and Betty Dylan who travelled from Nashville to Keene.  Josh's music is great, too.  Hope you'll give his myspace a visit.

It's a big file, but worth the download:

Download joshnooneLIVE.mp3