Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder on a College Campus. Dr. Karen Berkman Dr. Joseph Puccio

Transcription

1 Serving Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder on a College Campus Dr. Karen Berkman Dr. Joseph Puccio

2 Today's Agenda Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder symptoms Campus resources and supports Strategies to assist students toward successful outcomes

3 Core Symptoms Differences in socialization Repetitive behaviors, interests and activities ASD Differences in communication

4 What You Might Encounter Social issues Cognitive assets and challenges Behavioral differences Language issues Motor issues Sensory dysfunction Psychiatric concerns

5 Social Issues Challenges with social expectations varying from person to person and one setting to another Social interactions are awkward Lack understanding of social cues Cannot see the world from the perspective of others

6 Cognitive Assets and Challenges Commitment to ideas Following routines Pursuing knowledge in areas of interest Executive function challenges (organization and time management) Making positive and appropriate choices Medication management Setting priorities for task completion

7 Behavioral Differences Rigidity Stereotyped behaviors/mannerisms Preoccupations or special interests Strong sense of fairness and equality Rule follower Unbiased when judging others

8 Language Issues Initiating, ending or joining conversation Pragmatics Voice inflection and modulation May not understand abstract concepts or idioms Processing time May talk excessively or not much at all Highly skilled in vocabulary but may not be able to make small talk

9 Motor Issues Gross motor- stiff walking, overexaggerated movements, bumping into things Motor Planning- coordinating large and small movements for purposeful activity. Impacts writing legibility, sports, dancing, etc.

10 Sensory Dysfunction Hypo or hyper sensitivity to light, sound, touch, smell or taste Difficulty screening out sensory input How might this impact a physical exam?

11 Psychiatric Issues Anxiety Depression Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

12 Serving Students with ASD: Medical Provide medical care Offer referral to other campus resources Educating students

13 Serving Students with ASD: Medical Staff training Communicating with students during exam Social issues Sexuality and relationships Understanding institutional culture and rules Explaining insurance and pharmacy procedures Campus and community collaborations

14 Strategies: Medical Information reduces anxiety when paced Provide directions that are specific and clear Give honest, direct feedback Define and structure appointments Flexible ways of collecting information in person and on paper Communicate visually and verbally

15 Serving Students with ASD: Disability Services Office Educating faculty Supporting students academically, socially, and with housing Course selection Registration assistance Managing changes and university rules Test taking behavior and accommodations Campus and community collaboration

16 Strategies: Disability Services Office Working with faculty to understand behavior and needs of students with AS Setting classroom rules and limits Understanding need for sameness Structuring interactions with faculty

17 Strategies: Disability Services Office Assistance with knowing that a major requires specific courses and you cannot opt out Defining a manageable course load Walking students through registration process through visual mapping flow chart or calendar with schedule of class options Connecting students with people, not just an office

18 Strategies: Disability Services Office Academic accommodations- taking tests, writing papers, note taking, group work Housing accommodations- some students require a room of their own Social skills- frustration expression, meeting new people, connecting to campus activities, changes (classroom set up, time, location, people)

19 Serving Students with ASD: Counseling Center Individual counseling ( 1-10 sessions) Referrals out for longer term counseling Group counseling (interpersonal process skills) Stress management series Psychiatric services Vocational Rehabilitation services Crisis management

20 Serving Students with ASD: Counseling Center Reassuring student he/she has the intelligence to succeed Defined targets: staying focused and on schedule, challenging negative thoughts and beliefs, and managing anxiety

21 Strategies: Counseling Center Schedule of tasks or assignments Prioritize and set a timeframe Student defines when the task will be done Document this and print for the student and the counselor for follow Live in the moment and do not dwell on past or worry about the future Defining solutions, pros and cons and make sound decisions

22 Collaboration Providing structure across support services assists students with ASD to succeed Defining a key person on campus within each support service helps the student to problem solve and make positive decisions, leading to confidence and self determination

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24 Medical Appointment Flexibility in collecting information Forms in advance Have advocate accompany the patient to the appointment Have patient outreach to someone who may answers to questions

25 Medical Appointment Ask straightforward questions, avoid open ended questions: Increases anxiety Boundaries of the question can be misunderstood Allows for tangential flow Any headaches? VS In the past month, have you had a headache?

26 Medical Appointment Inform the student what you are doing? Ask questions Going to examine

27 Medical Appointment If communication is a challenge use visual aids

28 Medical Appointment Show them any equipment Otoscope Ophtalmoscope Sometimes letting them touch it relieves anxiety

29 Medical Appointment When examining be firm in your touch Different levels of sensation can have significant levels of anxiety Patients reports firm touching is best As providers we approach sensitive areas with a potential light touch that causes a significant stressful reaction that can lead to a lack of cooperation in the rest of the exam

30 Medical Appointment Video 068.MP4

31 Medical Appointment Parts of the exam that create a lot of stress for the patient if possible allow the patient to assist in the exam Examining the abdomen: have the patient s hand on top of yours as you palpate the abdomen Have them feel their neck before you feel their neck when feeling for lymph nodes or thyroid palpation.. Use firm palpation!

32 Medical Appointment Genital Exam Challenging: Personal embarrassment Conflict with privacy Sensation challenges

33 Medical Appointment Genital Exam: Pelvic exam: May require serial desensitization Nursing support Sedation Not the patient for medical student s first gyn exam

34 In Summary Students with ASD require information, predictability and preparation Take your time to know the student and his/her disability and support needs Make decisions together for the best outcomes

35 Contact Us Dr. Karen Berkman Dr. Joseph Puccio