Start planning for college now

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Applying to college is a huge job!  

For students with a disability, it can be even harder. They might need a lot of support.

School after high school is called postsecondary education. There are many different kinds.

 Here's what you can do:

  • Start to think about it and prepare early — even in 9th grade.

  • Talk to your child about college. Find out what they want, and help them learn about the options.

  • Make sure your child's guidance counselor and transition coordinator are part of the IEP team. Talk to them about your child's strengths and challenges, and what kind of support they might need in college.

  • Make sure that your child's IEP includes planning for college. Do they have support for taking advanced courses? Do they have effective accommodations for taking the SAT or ACT?

  • Learn about the options. There are special college programs, services, and even scholarships that can help your child through college.

There are many things that help a student choose which college they want to attend. Here are some questions to ask your child: Why do you want to go to college? What do you hope to learn? What job do you want to have after college? Where do you want to go to school? In-state, another state, or abroad? Will it be helpful to have services set up at the school? (Ex. note-taking help, taped textbooks, counseling, etc.)

Click on the boxes below to learn more:

Applying to a college usually includes:

  • taking tests like the SAT or ACT

  • sending in high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores

  • collecting letters of recommendation

  • filling out an application (often online)

Once you know which colleges your child wants to apply to, start researching their requirements.

Go to the college's website or call their admission office to ask questions.

Click the box below to learn more:

When you have time, look at these articles to learn about college options for young adults with ASD.

Click the link at the bottom of the page to download a guide from Autism Speaks.

It tells you about the types of college programs you can choose, how to make a good choice, your student's rights, and more.

These are websites. Click on the title, and they will open in a new tab on your computer.

Sources: Autism Speaks, and Interactive Autism Network

These resources are written for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

But most of them have useful information for all students with disabilities.

Click the link at the bottom of the page to download a guide from Autism Speaks.  It tells you about the types of college programs you can choose, how to make a good choice, your student's rights, and more.

These are websites. Click on the title, and they will open in a new tab on your computer.

Sources: Autism Speaks, and Interactive Autism Network

 

Sources: Autism Speaks, Interactive Autism Network

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