Succeeding in College

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Hello there everyone,

We are a research team at a small liberal arts school in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and we are currently conducting a study intended to survey university students with Asperger’s Syndrome on effective resources from their development. Specifically, our purpose is to see what common resources are necessary to help a person with AS succeed in adulthood. “Success” in this instance is defined as functioning as a student at the university level.

Our primary request is to forum members who have AS and successfully transitioned into college/university. Please let us know what resources, interventions, therapies, support systems, or any other forms of assistance were beneficial throughout your life to help you succeed.

Additionally, were there other resources, therapies, etc. that you felt were NOT useful in helping you succeed, and how much of your life was spent utilizing these resources?

Lastly, for those forum members who completed college/university, what resources, etc, were especially helpful in getting you to STAY in school and not drop out? Drop out rates have been higher in universities that are not educated about what AS is. So anything you could mention would be great. Alternatively, if you or someone you know has dropped out of college/university, why? What could the college/university have done that would have helped you stay?

If you have additional questions about our study or what we are looking at, please feel free to send me a PM.

Thanks so much,
Alexander Patent and Christopher Jones, PhD
University of Puget Sound

Note: We are in no way purposing the idea of a cure or promoting any specific treatments/interventions

send me a message about it...

you have a website etc for this project..

I could tell you a lot...

yea... Ive taught my institution what aspergers is lol bought to their attention wow.. and its 2008...

hmm..... reccomend you post in a social mannyer with spellling mistAkes and all

makes people respond easier no real... worry if the answer is mistake ridden.. etc... yea

well ...

whats happening with project... do you two have aspergers etc...

I have AS and I am in University here in Australia.

I have never sought help from the university and I know that there isn't any existing anyhow.

The only concessions I have sought, and received I worded in such away so as to single out the single sensory problems I have.

Namely, I am allowed to wear tinted glasses in an exam by saying I had light sensitivities. No evidence or medical certificate was required. Glasses are allowed of course, but usually sunglasses are made to be taken off. I wear Irlens tints.

And I am allowed to wear noise canceling ear plugs by saying I had hearing sensitivities. There is a rule stating no student is allowed to wear ear plugs. I think this more refers to iPods etc.. however there is no allowance and I was once asked to remove them. Following a slight incident of mild argument from myself I was allowed to wear them and the rules have since been made more explicit.

The only special allowance that WOULD help would be for someone to write out my exams for me. I have great difficulty with handwriting, and that which I can do takes an inordinately long time to accomplish. I have managed well so far. But know that I could have got higher marks if I could write faster as I am forced to shorten many answers to the bare essentials so that I can finish the exam while at least answering ALL the questions at least in fundamentals.

Or even better would be being able to take the exam by myself AND have someone else write for me. But that would require declaring to the university that I have Asperger's. And as yet I would prefer that be kept off of any record that might be available. Don't get me wrong, I am not ashamed of it. I would just prefer it be on as few official records as possible.

Oh, and I have failed university once as a 20 year old. Not so much failed as withdrew.

I am now 27 and am going well this return trip. The biggest difference this time around is that I was not diagnosed the first time. And this time I am not 'trying' to be normal and fit in... I am being me.

I have not joined any social groups, or study groups, or tried to make any friends in any manner whatever. And my success as a student is a lot better this second time around.

(I've already posted on your last thread awhile ago) I think it's funny that you are going to the University of Puget Sound while I'm going to Pacific Lutheran University, which are really close to each other lol.

Kiwi: We do not have a website for the project, but I will pm you

Izaak: Thanks, we hadn't thought about that yet

aspiegirl2: Haha that is a bit strange, I will pm you too

Any other responses would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I stopped trying andd switched to a smaller college. Cologne University was far too loud and far too big. Also, I felt to proud to ask for help with my disabilities (my vision isn't exactly good as well), for me, hopefully, a smaller institution will help