Groundwork for Success: A College Transition Program for Students with ASD.

This article describes the Transition Program implemented at a liberal arts college for newly enrolled students who have the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The diagnosis of ASD has risen dramatically; consequently, more students are arriving on college campuses with needs related to social pragmatic functioning. The Transition Program is designed to address the needs of this group with the following elements: early contact with students, early acclimation to campus, parent alliances, specialized academic advising and housing assignment, and ongoing support during the first year. The Transition Program is discussed in terms of meeting an emerging need in higher education and in terms of its portability to other institutions.

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