Essays On Autism In The Classroom

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For graduating high school seniors who are entering college this fall, it is an exciting time. Yet now new concerns arise: Have they chosen the right college? These are hard questions for any young adult, but for those with autism, the stakes are especially high. One of us, Elizabeth, studies at Pasadena City College and has autism.

Elizabeth, for example, struggles with understanding if professors are being sarcastic or rhetorical.

Uncertain, she often responds too much or too little.

For many, the frustrations became too great, leading to stress, anxiety and regrettable outcomes.

Essays On Autism In The Classroom

However, when students felt their social needs were met -- in particular when faculty members proved willing to modify their teaching style -- students had much more positive experiences.Contact us if you experience any difficulty logging in.DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 1, 2019 The Autism Society of Iowa is proud to host the Annual Statewide Autism Essay Contest.We may share your information with third-party partners for marketing purposes.To learn more and make choices about data use, visit our Advertising Policy and Privacy Policy.In these days when most community college disability offices are underfunded -- Elizabeth’s community college does not even provide note takers -- meeting the needs of students with autism may seem daunting.But meaningful institutional changes do not need to strain budgets.When one professor expressed frustration at her eager hand raising, she asked privately if he would signal her when he wasn’t being serious or didn’t require a response. “I don’t need to change my teaching for you, and you need to learn sarcasm.” It would be easy to regard Elizabeth’s experience as exceptional, the product of one unsympathetic professor.Yet research out of Australia by Ru Ying Cai and Amanda L. In focus groups, autistic college students told story after story about metaphorical or abstract language leading to confusion, as well as loud, active classrooms challenging their abilities to focus on learning.Those institutions generally offer fewer resources for students with autism.If we are to meet the needs of neurodiverse students, public community colleges will need to lead the way.