Autism Goes To College

Feb 27 2025 43 ep. 31 mins 24

Autism Goes To College Podcast artwork

Hear from neurodiverse students about how they are managing at college, charting their own paths, taking creative approaches, and making it work in the classroom and on campus.

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EPISODE 42: What professors need to know

Feb 27 2025 31 mins

The number of neurodivergent students in college keeps rising. Around 20% of college students have diagnosed or undiagnosed autism, ADHD, dyslexia or some other processing or neurological difference, according to expert estimates. But very few campuses provide faculty with training in how to meet the learning needs of these students in their classrooms. NeuroPrep, an online course

EPISODE 41: At Bridgewater State, Dom Brings It

Jan 23 2025 35 mins

When Dom transferred to Bridgewater State in Bridgewater, MA. from a community college, he shared on an earlier episode of the pod that he planned to move into the dorms after a semester. Instead, he ultimately decided to continue commuting- both to save some money and enjoy the support of his parents. But Dom is deeply involved with campus life. He became an Orientation Leader (wh

EPISODE 40: What happens after high school? Start that conversation early

Dec 19 2024 52 mins

Expectations may vary. Some students on the spectrum find that community college is a good next step. Many want to take a gap year, get some work experience or travel. Others are eager to head off to a four year college. Neurodivergent neurodiversity education advocate Amanda Morin says the time to start talking about post- high school transition planning is early. Because what a s

EPISODE 39: Embracing an academic pivot, River is loving their Wesleyan experience

Nov 21 2024 30 mins

River loves the varied and welcoming communities across campus and has found a home in many creative spaces at Wesleyan, including dance and a literary society. But freshman year was also a time of confronting their learning style, and navigating the structural conventions that pre-med students face. They negotiated successfully with some professors to modify testing formats, and e

EPISODE 38: Yes. There's an autistic therapist in this college counseling office

Oct 17 2024 45 mins

Meet Dr. Naz Zerka. He's a therapist who meets with students on campus at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana - a college well known for its prestigious engineering school and other STEM programs, which means there's a steady flow of students on the spectrum who wind up seeking guidance. Naz says some of the students who find their way to his office are aware they have aut

EPISODE 37: For Sam, the best answer is online learning

Sep 18 2024 26 mins

Sam is a grad student at Adams State University in Colorado where he's working towards a Master's in Psychology. It's a program that's mostly online and meets in person one week a month. That hybrid situation is a good fit for Sam, who had mixed experiences as an undergrad. He felt overwhelmed at times, didn't always love dorm living, and took a medical leave for part of one semest

EPISODE 36 Lindsey Heads Back to School at Appalachian State

Aug 15 2024 21 mins

Lindsey loved her freshman year. She's majoring in communication sciences and disorders, and made the dean's list both semesters. She accessed the accommodations she needed and says she benefitted from getting to know her professors during office hours. Dorm life was more challenging, and this year her accommodations include a single room. She tried out some clubs, and found the Ne

EPISODE 35: The Food Issue(s)

May 23 2024 36 mins

You’ll need to eat at college and that can get complicated, especially if you’re looking for safe foods and quiet spaces. Quincy Hansen will graduate from Colorado State University this year, and he’s a great guide to navigating the dining hall scene. One pro tip: you might want to invest in earplugs or headphones. Plus strategies for when to eat and where to eat and how to p

EPISODE 34 For students, by students. At UCLA, Ryan is building the Bruin Neurodiversity Collective

Apr 25 2024 50 mins

Ryan says he wanted to start college with "a blank slate and kind of do it on my own." In his college search, he didn't look at schools through the lens of what kind of supports would be available for him as a neurodivergent student. He didn't disclose to any professors in his first quarter. He shares how he arrived at UCLA and dove in headfirst, took a full load of classes, got hi

EPISODE 33 When your ableist professor doesn't get you

Mar 20 2024 35 mins

Quinn loved almost everything about her time at Southern Oregon University. When she went to check out the school as a high school senior, she fell in love with the town of Ashland. And the range of support services available for her as a student with an AU/ADHD dual diagnosis made choosing SOU an easy decision. Along the way she had some great roommates, loved her classes in the a