Interdisciplinary Support Services for Students with Autism
This presentation at the 2016 AHEAD Conference by Western Michigan University and University of Cincinnati focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to providing support services for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The session covers program development, collaboration between psychology and disability services, barriers encountered by Disability Services offices, and the establishment and functions of the Autism Services Center. Attendees learn about the services offered, including social and academic skills support, transition assistance, and weekly check-in meetings.
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Presentation Transcript
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Providing Support Services for Students with Autism 2016 AHEAD Conference Presented by:Western Michigan University Kourtney Bakalyar Jayne Fraley- Burgett University of Cincinnati Nicole Birri Dr. Christina Carnahan Dr. Matthew Sauer
Introductions Kourtney Bakalyar Coordinator of services for college students with ASD at WMU Special education teacher for 6 years Jayne Fraley-Burgett Director of WMU s Disability Services for Students Unit name
Barriers for DS office when working with ASD Students No additional staff to help with barriers Retention of students Difficulties interacting with peers and professional Keeping on campus jobs Organization Higher Executive Functioning Communication with all on-campus departments (e.g., ResLife, advising, academic departments, academic support) Parents not understanding the transition Parent support service Unit name
Program Development Grant A component of the Autism Center of Excellence grant provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Grant s goal is to improve outcomes for individuals with ASD across the lifespan. Developed the Autism Services Center to support college students with ASD in their transition from high school to college and from college to workforce. Unit name
Collaboration Collaborative process between Psychology and DSS office Bringing someone into the DSS office Autism Services Center Coordinator Two Graduate Students Unit name
What is the Autism Services Center? Provides services and supports for: Social skills Academic skills Independent living Weekly check-in meetings Liaison between students and professors Collaboration among departments on campus Communication and collaboration with parents Transition support from local community college to WMU Social activities Work with DSS s peer mentor program Practice with communication, interview, leadership, and collaboration skills Unit name
Weekly Meetings Students meet with ASC coordinator or a doctoral assistant weekly Meetings last 30 minutes to an hour Most freshmen, some sophomores, and juniors or seniors who need extra support Meetings are focused on: Time management planning what assignments need to be complete, breaking large assignments into smaller tasks, clarifying assignments, checking on the completion of assignments, checking-in on mental health, finding activities/groups to join, coaching appropriate social skills for working with professors, discussing and problem solving issues with roommates and professors Unit name
Liaison Between Students and Professors Emails are sent to professors at the beginning of the semester Opens a line of communication between ASC and professors Midterm progress reports Attend meetings with professors, if needed Help students draft emails to send to professors Training for faculty, in progress Help smooth-over miscommunications between students Unit name
Collaboration Among Departments on Campus Building a Team Disability Services for Students Residential Life (ResLife, Dorms) Training, communication, collaboration Advisors Training, picking good-fit course Counseling Services Orientation Admissions Unit name
Communication and Collaboration with Parents Very active parents Students still rely on their parents Mitchell & Beresford, 2014 FERPA Release Communication via email or phone Parents may call with concerns ASC corridnator call with concerns Work together to problem solve Can implement contingency plans Unit name
Transition Support from Kalamazoo Valley Community College Work with Special Services Advocate KVCC student and advocate meet together with ASC coordinator prior to transferring to WMU Unit name
Peer Mentor Program Collaboration with DSS Office ASC coordinator works with DSS s peer mentoring program Meets with peer mentors Receives weekly progress reports from mentor meetings Assist in the training of peer mentors Unit name
Social Activities Social events are co-hosted monthly by the ASC and other student group on campus Game nights twice a month Traditional or video game nights Partnering with Best Buddies Exercise Group Spring 2016 semester Peers and students with ASD Fitbits Unit name
Coaching College Success: Tools for Doing Well in College Michigan Autism Conference (MAC) in Kalamazoo Hosted a workshop for high school students with ASD and peer mentors Students from local high school Focused on completing a college application, differences between services in high school and college, self-awareness of college readiness, self- advocacy skills, and interview skills Planning has begun for MAC 2016 September 16, 2016 Unit name
WMU/Michigan Rehabilitation Services Summer Transition Program Summer II 2016 Replication of BSBP s summer program 7 high school students with ASD Live on campus, take a 3-credit general education WMU course, paid on-campus work experience, courses and workshops to build skills Unit name
Barriers Funding Buy in by university senior leadership Space
Successes Retention Programing Educations to university community Student outcomes Increase collaborations with university departments
Contact Information Kourtney Bakalyar Jayne Fraley-Burgett Kourtney.k.bakalyar@wmich.edu (269) 387-4349 www.wmich.edu/autism/asc www.facebook.com/Autis mServicesCenter jayne.fraley@wmich.edu (269) 387-2120 www.wmich.edu/disabilityservices Unit name
