In the United States, 500,000 teens on the autism spectrum will transition to adulthood in the next 5 years. If your teenager has decided they want to pursue a college education, you may find yourself overwhelmed with questions as a parent. 

What will college look like for your teen with autism? How can you help them transition? College can be a challenging, yet rewarding experience, and there are ways you can help. 

Whether your teen is ready to sign up for courses or you are planning for their future, here are five tips for preparing your teen with autism for college.

Discuss The Details 

There are many ways you can help your teen with autism prepare for a college education just by opening the lines of communication. Depending on their unique situation, this can look like helping them decide on a program and career path, discussing their coursework, or preparing them for the daily routines of campus life. It’s important not to rush such a big life decision, but setting expectations and discussing concerns will help your teen feel more confident about the transition.

Gather Resources

Transitioning to the new lifestyle of a college student can be overwhelming for any teen. For teens with autism, it is especially important to have resources in place for this adjustment. 

There are numerous options for post-secondary education, including four-year universities, community colleges, online learning, and vocational schools. Some colleges and trade programs offer support services designed for students with autism. Researching these options beforehand and visiting the school can help you and your teen decide if a program is right for them.

It is also important for you and your teen to discuss what accommodations they may need. Accommodations will vary by student but are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If your teen is preparing for classes on campus, ensure they know how to submit requests for any necessary accommodations with the school and have access to tutoring programs, career counseling, and student support services.  

Practice Self-Advocacy

In a higher education setting, your teen will need to feel comfortable advocating for themselves and negotiating accommodations. Practicing self-advocacy is crucial to preparing your teen with autism for life beyond high school. This fundamental skill will serve them throughout college and their adult life. Your teen will need to know how to verbalize their needs and what steps they will need to take to have those needs met. You can practice self-advocacy by role-playing and asking them what they would do in certain situations or how they would respond. You can also role-play disclosure skills to help your teen prepare accommodation requests.

Help Them Set A Routine

Every parent aims to help their teen develop the practical tools and techniques that will help them achieve success. For parents of teens with autism, this includes helping them understand the schedules and routines that will support their needs. College life comes with a unique set of demands and your teen may need help creating a framework to manage their homework, extracurriculars, hygiene routines, or self-care. Setting a schedule will help your teen establish healthy habits and feel less stressed about uncertainty. 

Consider A Transition Program 

If your teen is interested in college, you may want to explore an option like a transition program. These programs can help them develop the executive skills necessary for pursuing higher learning. 

Transition programs are designed to teach independent living skills, including vocational skills, to students with autism, starting as early as 18 years old and up to 22 years old. As students make progress, they fine-tune their work abilities, determine job preferences, and learn to work with growing independence.

Are you starting to think about your teen’s life after high school? Learn more about PS Academy’s Lyfe Launch transition program here.