First Class Support for College Students on the Autism Spectrum: Practical Advice for College Counselors and Educators

by Michael W. Duggan

Overview

College students with autism can face many difficulties during the transition from high school to further education and beyond. Highlighting the various everyday issues that may arise, this book shares practical advice for supporting students on the autism spectrum and helping them to succeed not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

From supporting students with their relationships, to dealing with anxiety and managing independent living, this book covers a breadth of topics. It considers the impact of teaching expectations in higher learning on general adult life, and how to counsel students with autism on academic issues. The author also examines his many years of experience as a community college counselor, sharing the mistakes he has made and the lessons learned, to outline what makes a good counselor and how to take specific steps to ensure success for students with autism in all aspects of college life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784507770
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	12/14/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Michael Duggan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He has worked as a community college counselor for nearly 20 years. He lives in Illinois, USA.
Dr. Michael Duggan, LCPC, CRC, is a Professor and a Counselor for Students with Disabilities at College of DuPage (COD), where he is well known for his expertise and his passion for empowering students with disabilities. In his twelve years at COD he has helped establish the Vocational Skills Program, a program for students with developmental disabilities, and Autismerica, a social/support group for students on the autism spectrum. He has also been awarded COD's Outstanding Divisional Faculty of the Year, Outstanding Academic Advisor of the Year, and Outstanding Club Advisor of the Year for his work on Autismerica. Before coming to COD, he directed the second largest college Disability Services program in Oregon at Chemeketa Community College and was elected as President of the Oregon Association of Higher Education and Disability (ORAHEAD), advocating for equality and improved services for college students with disabilities.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements. Preface. 1. My first failure. 2. The phantom success story. 3. The first year of college: what to expect and how to help students succeed. 4. Anxiety: the silent partner. 5. Technology: our friend and enemy. 6. Relationships: from friendships to dating and sex. 7. Career exploration and life after college: what's next? 8. Regarding developmental and intellectual disabilities. 9. What makes a good counselor? 10. Autismerica: one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. 11. For parents and professionals alike: lessons learned from the field of rehabilitation counseling. 12. Effective teaching interventions. 13. Teaching interpersonal communications. 14. What students on the spectrum want the rest of us to know. 15. What I wish parents, students, and everyone else would know. 16. Taking care of yourself. 17. Concluding thoughts. Epilogue.

Editorial Reviews

Dr. Michael Duggan has been a dedicated and effective advocate for students on the autism spectrum and their families for over 20 years. He has created the ultimate guide to show how to assist these students and their families with the daunting task of the transition from high school to college. This book is a compassionate, step-by-step companion for college counselors and aspiring college students to deal with everything from friendships, romance, academic success to disability support services.

Maria Rago

I had the good fortune to work with Michael at the College of DuPage and saw the beginnings of his work with Autismerica. This amazing book translates his experiences into practical tips for anyone working with students on the spectrum who want to provide a supportive, successful environment. Highly recommend!

Dr. Lisa Stock

This book, which addresses college advisors and counselors, faculty, and parents, is the key to uniting a team of support for any college student with autism. Dr. Duggan has given us an accessible, upbeat, and realistic guide, with clear advice for a wide range of challenging situations.

Karin Evans