Postsecondary Transition
for Students with
Asperger's Syndrome
March 20, 2008
Postsecondary Representatives
Algonquin College: Centre for
Students with Disabilities
Karen Coffey
Carleton University: Paul
Menton Centre
Laura Brawn
Queen’s University: Disability
Services
Theresa Richard and Andrew
Ashby
University of Ottawa: Access
Service
Marie-Claude Rouleau and
Nancy D’Louhy
Contents
1.
2.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Documentation
Useful Information
Possible Accommodations
Available Supports
Assistive Technology
HS versus Postsecondary
Parents’ Role in Success
Student's Role in Success
Documentation
• Medical letter or certificate, or
• Psychoeducational assessment report
(especially if co-existing LD/ ADHD)
• Signed by Physician, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist
• Diagnostic statement
Confidential Treatment of documentation as per
the Privacy and Access to Information Act
Useful Information
• Impact on academics at postsecondary
• Learning strengths (not just weaknesses)
• Recommended accommodations & supports
• History of educational supports (e.g. IEP)
• Successful strategies used
• Current psycho-educational assessment to
assess learning strengths
Possible Accommodations
Individualized…for example…
– Extra time for exams
– Quiet location
– Computer
– Assistive technology
– Notetaking support
– Discuss alternatives to group projects,
presentations, class participation
requirements
Available Supports
• Disability Coordinator/ Counselor helps arrange
accommodations, access to other supports, communicate
with instructors
• Ongoing Learning Strategy Support for…
–
–
–
–
Time management and organization
Writing – research, interpreting assignments, organizing ideas
Notetaking and Reading – selecting main ideas
Exam writing…etc.
• Assist student in finding “safe” environment
• Peer Mentor for academic and (possible) social
knowledge of the environment
• Personal counseling – social skills, emotional support
• Career counseling
Assistive Technology
• Mind-mapping software (e.g. Inspiration®)
• Voice-to-text Software (e.g. Dragon NS®)
• Text-reading software (e.g. Kurzweil®)
• Portable keyboard or laptop computer
• PDA (portable digital assistant, a.k.a.
“Palm Pilot”)
• Digital recorder
High School vs. Postsecondary
• Familiar environment after 4
or more years
•New environment (remember
Grade 8 to Grade 9?)
• Individualized Transition
Program
•Varies postsecondary
institution to institution
• No down time in the day
•Plenty of down time between
classes
• Very loud place!
•Quieter place
• Many personal relationships
with staff
•Fewer personal relationships
High School vs. Postsecondary
• Limited Assistive Technology
• Schedule similar each week
• Course assignments not
always known far in advance
• Lots of group work in class
•Excellent Assistive
Technology options and
funding
•Schedule different every
day
•Course assignments set
out in course outline at the
beginning of classes
•Some courses have NO
group work—but
mandatory in some
courses
High School vs. Postsecondary
• High social demands from
peers
•Easier to choose social
interactions with peers or not
• Help whether you want it or
not
•You need to advocate for
yourself to get help
• Parental involvement in
school
•You are now considered an
adult—limited parental
involvement
• Expectation that you take a
full timetable
•Many students only part time
or take fewer courses
Parents’ Role in Success
• Help prepare them for this transition.
• Work on self advocacy skills.
• Help your son or daughter make the initial
contact with the disability office.
• Help them research the program they are
applying to.
• Consider the option of starting slowly.
Student’s Role in Success
• Actively participate in your support
services
• Utilize the support that is available
• Keep your appointments
• Keep up with the academic demands
• Ask for help when you need it
• Take responsibility for your learning
Students with disabilities who are
successful at postsecondary are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Motivated
Take initiative
Self sufficient
Academically ready
Have good study skills
Accept responsibility
Respect authority
Good problem solvers
Thank-you!