Overview

Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome is both a practical and a personal account of one ASD student's successful experience of going to college. This accessible book focuses on how to get there and stay there: deciding to go, how to get in and how to get the most out of it. Ann Palmer advises parents and professionals how to prepare the student for the transition from school and home life to a new environment and educational challenge, and how to support them through potential problems such as academic pressure, living away from home, social integration and appropriate levels of participation in college. She offers helpful strategies that will encourage and inspire parents and students and show that college can be a suitable option for students with an autism spectrum disorder, as well as the basis for a successful independent life later. This book is essential reading for any parent considering college as an option for their child, disability service providers in colleges and for ASD students themselves.

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9781843108016

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Reviews

Palmer relates a humble, gracious story of squiring a high-functioning autistic son to college. ...She thoroughly addresse[s] questions of self-awareness, disclosure forms, Eric's capacities for self-help, orientation, time management and exploiting resources. There's plenty of practical information in these pages, particularly about the college classroom environment. ...A story that rings with love and support, and a drive to help Eric achieve his potential through meaningful, appropriate challenges. - Kirkus Reports This is a very comprehensive guide to college preparation, selection and success. The real-life, personal accounts of Ann Palmer and her son concerning his own path toward and through college life are a key and unique component to this work. I would buy this book if only for the excellent appendices! ...Our international organization will use this book as a reference for years to come. - Susan J. Moreno, President, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome There are limited resources about this topic, and virtually none from a parent's perspective. I became one of the many TEACCH therapists in the autism community who referred parents to Ann Palmer when their high school children with ASD were considering college. I was thrilled when she told me of her idea of writing a book, and have now eagerly devoured every page. Her well-organized, practical ideas fill the pages in a 'user-friendly' manner, a perfect blend of personal insights and suggestions. Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome feels like a kind and experienced friend willing to sit down and share her and her son's fears, doubts, and successes, providing help for other moms and dads and kids as they embark for the unknown territory called college. - Catherine Faherty, TEACCH teacher, psychoeducational specialist, and author of Aspergers...What Does It Mean To Me? Owing to vast improvements in therapies and diagnosis, high schoolers with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) have the option of going on to college. As a case in point, Palmer shares the story of her son, Eric, who was diagnosed with ASD at age three and after many years of therapy attended college. Interweaving personal experiences like preparing Eric for college with general information and resources results in excellent guidance for ASD students in high school or college and their parents. Of particular note are the chapters on support strategies (accommodations that can be made for the students), self-awareness/self-disclosure, and links for resources on disabilities on campus. Palmer has worked with professionals at the acclaimed Treatment and Education of Autistic and Other Communications Handicapped Children and Adults Program in North Carolina; her book makes an excellent complement to Judith Cohen's Succeeding with Autism: Hear My Voice. Strongly recommended for all academic and public libraries with ASD or education collections. - Library Journal

"""Palmer relates a humble, gracious story of squiring a high-functioning autistic son to college. ...She thoroughly addresse[s] questions of self-awareness, disclosure forms, Eric's capacities for self-help, orientation, time management and exploiting resources. There's plenty of practical information in these pages, particularly about the college classroom environment. ...A story that rings with love and support, and a drive to help Eric achieve his potential through meaningful, appropriate challenges."" - Kirkus Reports ""This is a very comprehensive guide to college preparation, selection and success. The real-life, personal accounts of Ann Palmer and her son concerning his own path toward and through college life are a key and unique component to this work. I would buy this book if only for the excellent appendices! ...Our international organization will use this book as a reference for years to come."" - Susan J. Moreno, President, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome ""There are limited resources about this topic, and virtually none from a parent's perspective. I became one of the many TEACCH therapists in the autism community who referred parents to Ann Palmer when their high school children with ASD were considering college. I was thrilled when she told me of her idea of writing a book, and have now eagerly devoured every page. Her well-organized, practical ideas fill the pages in a 'user-friendly' manner, a perfect blend of personal insights and suggestions. Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome feels like a kind and experienced friend willing to sit down and share her and her son's fears, doubts, and successes, providing help for other moms and dads and kids as they embark for the unknown territory called college."" - Catherine Faherty, TEACCH teacher, psychoeducational specialist, and author of Aspergers...What Does It Mean To Me? ""Owing to vast improvements in therapies and diagnosis, high schoolers with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) have the option of going on to college. As a case in point, Palmer shares the story of her son, Eric, who was diagnosed with ASD at age three and after many years of therapy attended college. Interweaving personal experiences like preparing Eric for college with general information and resources results in excellent guidance for ASD students in high school or college and their parents. Of particular note are the chapters on support strategies (accommodations that can be made for the students), self-awareness/self-disclosure, and links for resources on disabilities on campus. Palmer has worked with professionals at the acclaimed Treatment and Education of Autistic and Other Communications Handicapped Children and Adults Program in North Carolina; her book makes an excellent complement to Judith Cohen's Succeeding with Autism: Hear My Voice. Strongly recommended for all academic and public libraries with ASD or education collections."" - Library Journal"

Author Information

Ann Palmer is married with three children, one of whom, Eric, was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. He is now 24. She has 13 years' experience working with families of individuals with autism at Division TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children). Ann coordinated a volunteer parent mentor program that provided support to over 800 families in North Carolina. In her current role as Director of Chapter Relations for the Autism Society of NC, she coordinates over 40 parent support groups throughout the state. She is also the co-author of Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. This book was the 2007 Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work of the Year.

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