Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder and individuals with ASD tend to have both communication and social challenges, and an abnormal focus on a specific topic or interest, according to the Disability Resource Office (DRO). NC State provides several resources for students on the autism spectrum.
A study estimates that in colleges, students with ASD form 0.7 to 1.9% of the population, and they have a significantly high incompletion rate of 80%.
The DRO plays a major role in working with NC State students on the spectrum to develop and implement accommodations as needed, even maintaining a website with advice for supporting students with autism in the college classroom. In addition, the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity works to ensure that employees with autism have access to accommodations and do not experience discrimination.
Maggie Faulkner, assistant director at the DRO, said there is an interest in being inclusive at the university, which extends to students with disabilities.
“We work to ensure that students with disabilities are provided an inclusive experience and equal opportunity to participate in courses and programs by determining eligibility for accommodations and serving as a resource to faculty in helping them understand their obligation in providing equal access,” Faulkner said.
In addition to these offices, Students Moving Forward is a career development, community-building, and campus advocacy group for NC State undergraduate and graduate students with autism, according to Dana Thomas, one of the founders of Students Moving Forward.
“We partner with several organizations such as UNC TEACCH and LiNC-IT, and employers like SAS to prepare students with autism for post-graduate opportunities that align with their interests and goals,” Thomas said. “Students in the group are currently working to form a campus organization for students with autism that is purely for social comradery.”
This program is for students who identify as autistic and is focused on helping these students get paid internship experience that is degree related or a full-time degree-related job once they graduate, according to Wesley Wade, another founder of Students Moving Forward.
“One of the big things we do to help those students get to that point is we connect them with employers who understand this population, who are trying to hire them in jobs just like a neurotypical person would have because they understand these students think differently,” Wade said. “There is nothing wrong with these students; they are great at what they do, they just need to have an opportunity like everybody else. Just like any other student on campus, that connection with someone is going to help the likelihood of you getting an interview.”
To help autistic students forge these connections, a state-wide professional career fair is organized every fall, open to any student at any college or community college in North Carolina who identifies as autistic. Last year’s career fair was held in Talley Student Union, and saw close to 67 autistic students attend from NC State, as well other universities and community colleges like Duke, East Carolina University and Wake Tech. The next fair is set to be held at the McKimmon Center on Oct. 10, 2020 and is supposed to be the biggest one yet, according to Wade.
When asked about what students can do to help those on the autism spectrum, Thomas said there is always more that can be done to support and advocate for our autistic students both in and out of the classroom, spreading awareness and clearing misconceptions being the most important.
“There is a common misconception that people with autism do not care about making friends or establishing social connections, when in reality that is often not the case,” Thomas said. “I think that students such as yourself can support their autistic peers by getting to know them as individuals and making them feel included.”
Another major misconception includes the idea that students on the spectrum cannot empathize or lack the ability to form intelligent ideas. Wade strongly advocates for these students, and said students on the spectrum think differently and only needs a safe outlet to express themselves.
“If you are working in a group of students, and you see that someone is a little bit different than the other students in the group, don’t isolate them, right, don’t just try to baby them and handhold them,” Wade said. “That student got in here just like any other student did, they are intelligent. Ask them what their opinion is on things, try to understand how they are looking at these things and try to learn from the other person. That is the same thing any of us would want.”
Students Moving Forward can attend their meetings held regularly on Mondays in Pullen Hall, with the next meeting being held on Feb. 24. Students on the autism spectrum can register for this program here, or can contact Wesley Wade at wjwade@ncsu.edu.
