College in the Age of Autism

College.  This is a very big step for a young man with Aspergers Syndrome.  At one time, as I briefly mentioned in my last post, it was near impossible.  But for a friend of my son's who will graduate high school next week...well, we will see.  My fingers are so tightly crossed they are about to break.

This college is about 2 hours from where we live.  Close enough to come home on weekends, but he will have to live in a dorm.

Did you live in a dorm while in college?  Do you remember the noise, the smells, the chaos?  And, having to deal with a room mate?  It was the luck of the draw, and sometimes it was a big period of adjustment.

For a person with Aspergers Syndrome having a roommate can be a deal breaker. Never mind the noise, the smells, the chaos.

One possible solution is to get a private dorm room.

My son's friend's Mom told me today they haven't heard from the college yet about him getting his own room. 

Do they have a plan B?  It isn't my place to ask.  I'm sure they do.  It is one of the first things parents of a child on the spectrum learn.  They learn how to have a plan B-and plans C, D, E.....


I don't know what other supports the friend will have.  It isn't my business to ask either.

However, as this develops, I will post my observations-in a very general way. 

Good luck, friend.

Bittersweet Graduation

My son's friend had his graduation party today.  Friend, who has Aspergers Syndrome, graduated after two years as a senior and is on his way to college - for a one year certificate program - but he is going to be in a dorm.  More on that in another post.

We were honored to be invited (not just our son); this young man has spent a lot of hours at our house.  Friend's mom confided in me that there was so much food because they had invited a number of people who never showed up.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it.

But there were relatives there, and all had a good time.

So did we.  We were honored to attend.

So why bittersweet?  Because many years ago Bil tried to go to college.  He didn't make it very far.  There were no programs for young adults on the spectrum.  He had to sink or swim and unfortunately he....sunk.

May this young man swim.  We wish him all the best.