Postsecondary Education
Postsecondary education opportunities for young adults on the spectrum have grown leaps and bounds in recent years thanks in part to an increase in universities, community colleges, vocational schools and other institutions offering autism-specific support programs. Choosing which setting and school is right for you is important.
Postsecondary Educational Opportunities Guide
This guide can help you and your family explore different opportunities and learning environments after leaving high school. Use this guide to help navigate through your high school years and the years following graduation.
A roadmap to learning beyond high school
Planning for life after high school can be a daunting but exciting task. It is important that you know that your education does not need to end after graduation. We are all lifelong learners. Regardless of your level of need, there are options that can help you gain skills and experiences that will empower you to live an adult life that is as fulfilling as possible. This brief roadmap is designed to help you get started.
Step 1: Preparing for Postsecondary Education
It is never too early to start planning for the future. Ask to meet with your guidance counselor to begin to explore all available options. You might be able to try out some of these options while you’re still in high school or over the summer. Take advantage of career exploration classes and campus tours to help you prepare for what is expected at different settings. If you are planning to go to a traditional college, keep in mind that you will need to obtain a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED).
Understand the Law
Your Individualized Education Program (IEP) will not transfer with you from high school to postsecondary education. The laws that govern accommodations after high school include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws ensure equal access and non-discrimination, but there is no guarantee of progress or success.
Disclosure
Services will not be provided automatically. In order to receive services or accommodations going forward, you may need to disclose your autism to schools or employers, request accommodations that can help you, and provide documentation showing that the accommodations are necessary because of a disability. To prepare for this, it’s a good idea to practice discussing your autism and strengths and challenges with people you trust. You should also be able to name types of accommodations that have helped you in the past. This practice with self-advocacy will be critical in college and adult life.
Step 2: Choosing Your Path
There are many different options for postsecondary education. Remember that not everyone has the same path, and that’s ok. Start by exploring some of the following possibilities:
- 4-year Colleges and Universities
- Some offer autism-specific support programs, but all have disability services offices or student support services.
- 2-year Technical Schools or Community Colleges
- Cooperative Education Programs
- These integrate classroom learning and hands-on practical experiences (i.e. work experiences).
- Certificate or Trade School Programs (typically 1-2 years)
- Apprenticeships
- Life Skills Programs or Comprehensive Independent Living Programs
For a better understanding of these different program options and what might be a good fit for your needs, download the Postsecondary Educational Opportunities Guide.
Step 3: Ask the Important Questions
- What are my goals? Is it a 4-year degree? To learn to live as independently as possible? To get a good-paying job?
- How will I pay for this? Can my family afford to pay privately? Can I apply for scholarships or financial aid? Could my state’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency help pay my tuition?
- Do I want to stay close to home? Or do I want to study away from home? How far away? What are my transportation needs?
- What about the size of the schools and the programs? Do I want large classes or small? A sprawling campus or one that’s easier to navigate? Do I want to be in a big city, a rural setting, or something different?
- What supports are offered by each program? What are the supports that I think I will need to succeed? Do I need academic supports and accommodations? What about social supports or help with organization, managing my money, or taking care of my health?
Remember, not everyone has the same path after high school. And for many people, our paths may change more than once. That's ok. Stay positive and keep your end goal in mind.
Step 4: What comes next after you decide on a postsecondary program?
To help you find out, we asked five autistic people in different settings and at different stages of their postsecondary careers for tips and insight on everything from making friends and picking roommates, to study habits, adding/dropping classes and communicating with professors, and everything in between. Check out their experiences here.