Strategies in College

Here is a list of strategies I made for my son who will be attending college soon.


Single/Private Dorm Room- Some colleges will offer this option, but make sure you find out the school’s policy on this. To qualify for a single room the college will probably require documentation about the disability and the student’s reasons for needing a single room. The documentation should emphasize the social difficulties for students on the autism spectrum as well as the sensory issues that would make living with another person difficult for a student on the autism spectrum.

Reasons for needing a single room (examples):

- I do not like other people touching my things or being in close proximity to me.

- I have sensory problems and do not like to be touched. I can become upset or anxious when someone bumps or brushes up against me.

- Noises can bother me because I perceive them as being loud. I cannot handle them and therefore need a quiet dorm room.

- I need a sanctuary where I can have some down time away from others and be able to control my environment, focus on my work and daily activities without distractions and not be forced to engage in social interaction all the time.


Seating- Get to class early so you can pick the seat you want before the other students arrive. If seating is assigned, ask the instructor if you can sit in a certain seat and why you need to.

Note Taking- You may need a scribe or note taker to take notes in class. Some instructors post lecture notes on a website. A student can print out the lecture notes before going to a class, take the notes with them and use them to help follow along with that day’s lecture.

Tape Record Lectures- Obtain permission from instructor. You usually have to sign an agreement that states that you will not release, copy, or allow anyone else to use the tapes. Tapes are usually returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the semester.

Study Guide Books- If the textbook that is assigned to the class has a study guide book, be sure to purchase it. It covers what is most important and will help you study for tests.

Tests- You can ask instructors what kind of test it will be (multiple choice, essay, fill in the blank, etc.), what material will be covered, what is the most important areas to review to prepare for the test, etc. Sometimes instructors post study guides on a website for students to use for tests. Ask the instructor if they do that.

Communicating With Instructors- First, check what the instructor’s office hours are and make an appointment. When talking to an instructor you can write down ahead of time a list of things you need to talk to the instructor about or a list of questions to ask them.

You may need to ask instructors for individual accommodations within a particular class in addition to the accommodations you receive from disabilities services. Example: asking to do computer lab work from home rather than having a lab partner. You may want to request working individually rather than in groups on projects. Or you may inform an instructor that you may need to occasionally walk out during a class if you are getting overwhelmed, etc.

Academic Advisor- Call to make an appointment and meet with your academic advisor in planning your academic program. They give the student information about the courses needed for graduation and make sure the student is staying on track with the required curriculum. The student must meet with their academic advisor before registering for courses each semester. A student will also need to consult with their academic advisor when dropping a class or adding a class. You might want to tell your academic advisor about your disability. Explain why you might be taking fewer courses each semester and they can also give you more guidance on career choices.

Be Organized- Use a large calendar (like the one you put on top of your desk as a blotter) to keep track of all your meetings (tutors, service provider, academic advisor, etc.). You can also write down when to register for classes, signing up for meal plans, for dorm rooms, etc. Remind yourself of upcoming tests, projects, and papers. Record all the important dates from your class syllabus onto your calendar. You can also jot down when you should start working on different steps of a paper or project. Place calendar on desk or right above your desk so you can see it. Having a calendar is a good visual reminder of the whole month ahead. Use your agenda book as well to record assignments that are given in class and transfer this information to your calendar.

Use a binder for each class with dividers to keep all information organized and handy. The binder can be divided into the following: Syllabus, Homework, Class Notes, Tests/Quizzes, etc.

Grades- Keep track of your grades in class. It will you know whether you understand the material and what you need help with. An excellent idea from Cale says to keep an Excel chart with a list of all your grades for each assignment for the term. This way you can clearly see where you are doing well and take pride, and where you are not passing muster and need to work harder.

Studying- Use tests that have been graded to study for the final exam.

Extra Credit- ALWAYS do any extra credit work if it is available to help your final grade in the class.

Assignments- Ask the instructor to break down long-range writing assignments into steps with due dates for each part of the assignment. This allows the student to get continuous feedback from the instructor while working on the assignment. This continuous feedback lets the student know if they are doing the assignment correctly, what needs to be added or omitted, or other information the student needs to complete the assignment correctly.

Notifying Your Instructors and Advisor About Your Disability- Email a one page paper about your diagnosis. Explain how AS affects your learning such as difficulty taking tests, difficulties with organizing yourself and materials for assignments, and problems in initiating in small group discussions or activities. Also list some strategies that you have found helpful. Be sure to include an explanation of the accommodations you qualify for through Disability Services and ways instructors can make things more visual for students who are visual learners. Provide information on how they can contact you (phone, email, etc.) and that you need periodic feedback from the instructor.



Rules or Guidelines When To Ask For Help In A Class:

1. When you do not turn in an assignment.

2. When you do not understand the assignment, test/quiz, project, etc.

3. When you get a grade of C on an assignment test/quiz project, etc.