Autistic Self Advocacy Network Webinar with Autism NOW May 29 2014

8/12/2019 Autistic Self Advocacy Network Webinar with Autism NOW May 29 2014

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a project of

Removing Access Barriersfor Autistic College Students

Sara Gardner, Program Manager, Autism Spectrum Navigators

Susan Gjolmesli, Director, Disability Resource Center

Bellevue College, Washington State, U.S.A.


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Research ShowsYouths with autism spectrum disorders(ages 19-23) are less likely than those with

other disabilities to be employed orenrolled in collegeStudents with disabilities lack adequate self-

advocacy skills needed for success in thepostsecondary education settingEmployment rate rises with family income

rates


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Our Experiences

Without additional access services, collegestudents with ASDs complete fewer classes, and

drop out of college at a higher rateCollege students with ASDs typically do not seekout campus services or additional support from

instructorsEven with an extraordinarily low cost program,some families cannot access it for financialreasons


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What Parents WantCampus awareness about AutismSupport for:

Communicating with peersMentoringOrientation & TransitioningTrained SpecialistsParental Involvement


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What Students WantConnection with other students with ASDs

Advocacy with instructorsInstructors who are educated about ASDsClearly organized assignments and syllabi

Clear communicationOrganizational support


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Before the pilot what we observed


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Share your experiences & questions:

This may be different based on whereyou live! Socio-economic background,ethnicity, Academic abilityPhysical abilityInterests, aspirations

Classroom access needs and more


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Share your experiences & questions:

Different foreachEnvironmentspecificAttitudinalbarriers?

Similarities?Physical barriers?Other barriers?


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Pilot Year2010 2011 (26 students)

Services Group (13 students)100% retentionMaintained a 3.0 GPA for three quarters

Passed 85% of attempted classes with a C- or better

Control Group (13 students)

61% retentionGPA dropped each quarter: 2.52; 2.44; 2.10Passed 67% of attempted classes with a C- or better


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2011 2012 (18 students)94% retention3.04 GPA

Passed 87% of attempted classes with a C- orbetter

2012 2013 (46 students)96% retention3.26 GPAPassed 86% of attempted classes with a C- or

better


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2013 2014Fall 2013 (76 students)96% retention3.24 GPAPassed 88% of attempted classes with a C- or

betterWinter 2014(64 students 1 grad, 8 retained- not in ASN, 3 dropped out)97% retention3.12 GPAPassed 79% of attempted classes with a C-

or better


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Our mission is to provide access services forautistic students that lead to successful

academic outcomes while providingeducational opportunities that increase self-

knowledge in the areas of executivefunctioning, self-regulation, social interaction,self-advocacy and career preparation; and to

actively promote a campus wide environmentof inclusion and understanding of students,

faculty and staff with neurological differences.


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Program Areas of Focus:1. Self-Advocacy

2. Executive Functioning3. Self Regulation4. Social Interaction


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Four components:1. Peer Mentoring

2. Instruction3. Parent Training & Support4. Faculty & Campus Training &

Support


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Structured around student-identifiedneedsStudent initiated check-ins with faculty

Standardized format ensures:skills acquisitionacademic progress monitoringprogram complianceease of record keeping

Marco-Polo Check-In weekly agreed-upon objective


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ASN students take a series of credit classes as a cohort, in

addition to classes for their chosen degree path. They aresimply students at the college who receive supports.

First YearSkills for Navigating College & CareerExecutive Functioning in the WorkplaceStress Management

Second Year Third YearCareer Exploration Interpersonal CommunicationsSelf-Advocacy Tech Writing & Soft Skills for Bus.Occupational Wellness Internship

Video Using Canvas to connect


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Parents need: Reassurance that their student is in good hands Training for how to best support their student Networking with other parents Focus on Interdependence, Collaborative Problem

Solving, Learned Optimism and Self-Efficacy


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Regular Faculty trainingIndividual communication with N.A.s Faculty section on program websiteConsultation with program manager


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Postsecondary Education and Employment AmongYouth With an Autism Spectrum Disorder:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/

Evaluating Cognitive Web Accessibility http://webaim.org/articles/evaluatingcognitive/

Autism Spectrum Navigators at Bellevue College

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/http://webaim.org/articles/evaluatingcognitive/http://webaim.org/articles/evaluatingcognitive/http://webaim.org/articles/evaluatingcognitive/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/http://webaim.org/articles/evaluatingcognitive/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362908/


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Susan Gjolmesli, Director,Disability Resource Center:[email protected]

425.564.2392

Sara Gardner, Program Manager,

Autism Spectrum Navigators:[email protected] 425.564.2172
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Website:

www.autismnow.org

Information & Referral Call Center:1-855-828-8476

Next Webinar:Saturday, June 21, 2014, 1:00-2:00 PM, Eastern TimeAutism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview in Spanish

PowerPoint/Recording:Email Phuong ( [email protected] ) to request

materials!
http://www.autismnow.org/http://www.autismnow.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.autismnow.org/http://www.autismnow.org/

Autistic Self Advocacy Network Webinar with Autism NOW May 29 2014

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