Trials and Tribulations (Part 25)- Fall Semester 2014

After careful thought and deliberation, I thought others would find this interesting about our battle with Asperger Syndrome. If anyone would like to post about their trials and tribulations, please leave a link so we can read your story. :)

This is written in the third person.




Reflecting back, M’s parents wished he graduated from community college much sooner, but M changed majors about halfway through and there were many new classes he needed to receive an A.S. degree in Computer Science. Back when his parents went to community college, everyone usually graduated with a degree in two years. Everyone was required to take the “core classes” to obtain an A.A. degree. They would then transfer to a four year university and start on their major graduating in another two years. Unfortunately times have changed in community colleges and students are required to start their majors when they are freshmen and pursue an A.S. degree. Community colleges are notorious for classes only being offered during certain times and certain semesters. You also must take into consideration if not enough students sign up for a class, the class will be cancelled. Most classes that a student needs often conflicts with others making it quite frustrating at times to obtain the classes you need to graduate with a degree. Needless to say, M was not ready to transfer to a four year university until just recently. With that in mind, M’s parents recommend allowing your ASD student take a lighter class load and learn to be as independent as they possibly can so they can transfer to a four year university. Rushing them only causes anxiety and does not promote successful transitioning to a four year university.

M’s parents made sure he was well prepared to start UMBC. They felt all the time and effort in making sure M was ready would be extremely beneficial. They also made sure that M knew he could contact them at any time and that they would be able to visit him on campus (UMBC is only 2 hours away from his home).

Life skills in college was thoroughly discussed during the summer before Move-In Day and M was given an Information Binder to help M figure out the likely pitfalls with daily living on campus. During several occasions M met with his parents and they discussed numerous issues that M needed prior to going off to college. M’s parents made sure that he asked questions and participated in figuring out what topics were of concern and what needed to be addressed.

Fall 2014 classes started August 27. M was already well acclimated to his surroundings and knew where everything was. Open House and Summer Orientation allowed him to tour the campus, meet relevant personnel, ask questions and obtain answers, and register for classes. Prior to Move-In Day, M obtained a PNC bank account to make it easier and to have access to the 3 ATMs on campus. This allowed convenient solutions to help him manage his money and to avoid unnecessary fees (checking with no monthly service charge and no minimum balance requirements, and interactive tools for keeping track of his money, etc.). His parents made sure he understood all aspects of his accounts (checking & savings accounts, debit card, online and mobile banking, etc.) and where the branch office was on campus if he needed any help and who to contact.

M also went online and reserved his books and materials at the UMBC Book Store to pick up later after Move-In Day. This avoided shipping fees and waiting in long lines to obtain his books.

Welcome Week (August 23 to September 1) helped M meet both new and continuing students and learn more about the many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom. It also allowed M the chance to get to know student organizations, find out more about UMBC’s recreational programs, and sign up for clubs and/or sports.

All this preparation will hopefully pay off for M to transition to UMBC. Being able to advocate for himself and knowing how, where, and when to get help will allow him to do well at UMBC. Doing the above activities seemed to help M to transition to UMBC smoothly and hopefully without any problems. It is too early to know how well he will do at UMBC, but from his past experiences in community college, prognosis is good.

M registered for classes during Summer Orientation (the only opportunity for new and transfer students to register for Fall 2014 classes). All of his classes for his major were already full so he signed up for some of the electives that are required for graduation. M was told he would be able to register for Spring classes early during the Fall. M had the same problem in community college and once he started his classes, registration was permitted early for CSM students the next semester. This enabled M to register early (November 14th) for some classes in Computer Science at UMBC in the Spring.

M made a college visual schedule that provided security and kept inappropriate behavior down to a minimum. This prepared M for what to expect every day and any change in the normal routine could be added to the visual schedule. He posted copies in his room and one in his binder. M also used a student planner to stay current on all assignments. It enabled him to keep his assignments organized and turn them in on time. He could also write in any other activities (meeting advisor, tutoring, clubs, etc.) when needed. A student planner has been used throughout M’s education and continues to be a successful tool for him to use.

Due to M’s social difficulties as well as his sensory issues it would make living off campus or with another person in the same bedroom and sharing a bathroom extremely difficult for him. M also needs a sanctuary where he can have some down time away from others and be able to control his environment, focus on his work and daily activities without distractions, and not be forced to engage in social interaction all the time. Through Student Support Services (SSS) M obtained a private room (private baths were very scarce) which enabled M to attend UMBC. Without it, M would probably not have been successful living on campus. M’s room was a suite having two private rooms, shared bath, and a small common area. When M was sent his Room Assignment Information from Housing, contact information for his roommate was included. This would enabled M and his roommate to contact one another before moving in and get to know one another and plan what each person would bring (M and his roommate did not contact each other prior to Move-In Day). During the first week of classes M and his roommate were given a Roommate Agreement/Contract. This tool helped M and his roommate establish living expectations for the year. Having all the rules written up enabled both the students to visually see what they must do. This also helps ASD individuals learn how to get along with others which is something they need to do independently throughout their lives. The Roommate Agreement/Contract was filled out by their RA, signed, and all required persons were given a copy.

M made sure he fulfilled his obligations and responsibilities that were required so he would not be suspended or terminated from SSS. He made sure he completed an accommodations card with his schedule at the beginning of the semester at UMBC and turned it in. He also met with the SSS Interim Communications Specialist when requested and when he needed specific help with academics. M met with them for academic advisement and SSS also provided him a private tutor (at no charge) for Spanish.

Since M was alone all the time he became extremely lonely. His parents therefore reiterated that being by yourself all the time was not good and that he needed to make friends. They talk to him about this and gave him ideas of when and how he could converse with others and what he could say. They also had a student from his hometown email M inviting him to join the Writing Club at UMBC (M enjoys writing and reading fan fiction). His parents hoped all this would help, but doubted it since M has not had any friends since elementary school. M’s parents therefore did “Pit Stops” every now and then and visited M for a short time. Since M’s father traveled extensively from BWI Airport he would stop by UMBC briefly to see M for a bit. His parents would also drive up and visit M for an afternoon or weekend. M really enjoyed his visits from his parents and looked forward to them.

Stress seemed to be the biggest problem M faced at UMBC. To combat this he would listen to a calming CD or workout. It seemed to help some and his parents also told M to go to the gym at UMBC and use their facilities. Unfortunately it had got to the point that extreme loneliness and stress was affecting M’s health, both physically and mentally. M’s grades suffered as well. His parents therefore tried to get M to obtain help from the Counseling Center at UMBC, by talking to him about how hard it is for many students to adjust to the challenges of college life. They emphasized that it is quite common for students to feel anxious or concerned about their course work, social life, or the everyday pressures of being a college student. The usual ways of handling such problems may not be effective this time or may even be making the problems worse. His mother even told him that she went to the Counseling Center at her college to obtain help relating to stress. They encouraged him to make an appointment to discuss his concerns with a counselor and gave him all the information of how to contact the Counseling Center and what to expect.

On October 13, 2014, M sought out the Counseling Center and made an intake appointment. The earliest appointment available was November 4th. During his intake appointment, he was asked some questions about his current situation, and his counselor listened closely as he described his experiences and problems that he was facing. Due to the required paper work taking so long to fill out, M had to reschedule another appointment for November 11th. On the day of the appointment the Counseling Center had to cancel and the meeting was postponed until November 24th. Meanwhile, for M to cope with the stress that he was facing he dropped 2 classes which helped significantly with his anxiety issues. M finally met his counselor on November 24 and his counselor assessed his needs and it was determined that stress was not causing him any more problems and that therapy wasn’t needed. Unfortunately, the Counseling Center was too busy to help M when he desperately needed their support during Fall semester. Hopefully, the Counseling Center will provide assistance to him during Spring Semester 2015 if the need arises.

Prior to class registration for Spring semester 2015, M made an appointment with his advisor and discussed what he should take. On the appointed day and time M went online and registered for classes. During Christmas Break M made sure he went online and reserved his books and materials at the UMBC Book Store to pick up prior to the start of Spring semester 2015. This worked out well for Fall semester which avoided shipping fees and waiting in long lines to obtain his books.