University of Arkansas Autism Support Program
The goal of the University of Arkansas Autism Support Program is to provide the intensive assistance students with high functioning autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and non-verbal learning disability need in order to be successful in college. Our students are matriculated University of Arkansas undergraduates who have the cognitive abilities to be in college but require more help than their typical peers to complete a college degree.
News: Autism Speaks Awards Scholarship Funding to U of A program
Students enrolled in the program receive support in three areas: academics, transitioning to independent adult roles, and social skills.
Academics: Students receive assistance in designing their academic programs, registering for classes, and making schedule changes. Staff facilitates communication with course professors regarding class requirements and any classroom behavior issues that might need to be addressed. Academic coaches help students with course material and assist students in meeting due dates of classroom assignments.
Accommodations: Program staff works closely with the Center for Educational Access within the University of Arkansas to ensure that appropriate accommodations and modifications are provided. Accommodations may include employing a scribe or note taker, taking quizzes and exams in a non-distractive setting, and extended time for tests. The program staff also works in conjunction with tutoring services available at the university, including the Enhanced Learning Center and the Quality Writing Center. In addition, program staff will partner with faculty advisors assigned by the departments of the students’ majors.
Independent Living: Program staff assists students to develop the skills a person needs to live independently including maintaining an orderly dorm room or apartment, doing laundry, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen, organizational skills, and managing their time in a productive way. Staff help develop students’ self-advocacy skills in a variety of ways including accompanying students to their professors’ office hours to ask for assistance. As students become ready, help will be available in applying for graduate school or jobs. Staff will offer aid with interview skills and resume writing as needed, in conjunction with the Career Development Center.
Integration: An important goal of the program is to integrate every student fully into life at the University of Arkansas. Program staff assists students in joining clubs, playing intramural sports, and participating in any social, sporting, theater, or special event on campus that might be interesting to our students. In addition, the program offers social skills classes and our own social events for students whose social skill development needs further enhancement.
The goal for each student who will be part of the program is to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville having had a full, typical, college experience. The scope of the support offered and skills taught not only help our students graduate, but also ensure that they will be successful, productive, and happy citizens while at the University of Arkansas and for the rest of their lives.
University of Arkansas.
Autism Speaks Awards $25,000 to Assist U of A Students
January, 2014
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Autism Support Program recently became one of the first recipients of scholarship funding from Autism Speaks, one of the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organizations.
The $25,000 from the Autism Speaks Brian & Patricia Kelly Postsecondary Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships, beginning in the fall of 2014, to eligible students to help defray the costs of services provided by the university’s Autism Support Program. The award was the maximum amount possible to receive from the grant. The U of A program was one of 11 institutions and programs to receive funds.
The College of Education and Health Professions established the Autism Support Program two years ago to assist U of A students with autism spectrum disorders. It provides 15 to 20 hours of direct contact each week with program staff, including academic coaches, peer mentors and the program director at a cost of $5,000 per semester.
“This program is providing a tremendous benefit to students on our campus who have an autism spectrum disorder,” said Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. “We greatly appreciate support from an organization of the caliber of Autism Speaks in helping us continue this important work.”
The Brian & Patricia Kelly Postsecondary Scholarship was established by the parents of a 16-year-old with autism. Brian Kelly is a founding executive committee member of the Autism Speaks board of directors and the chair of the Autism Speaks Family Services committee.
“We are honored that such a distinguished organization as Autism Speaks chose our program to receive these funds,” said Aleza Greene, director of the Autism Support Program at the U of A. “The money will be extremely helpful to our deserving students and their families and, through the intensive support services they receive from our program, these students will be able to enjoy the same fulfilling college experience as their neuro-typical peers.
“The ultimate goal is that these students graduate and go on to have gratifying, productive and happy lives,” she continued.
The scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis. Students already enrolled in the program can apply for the scholarship this spring. Awards will be used toward the program fee for the 2014-15 academic year.
Autism is a neurological disorder. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States have an autism spectrum disorder. Five pervasive developmental disorders make up autism spectrum disorders, all characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.
“Students who qualify for this program are fully capable of doing academic work but might have trouble figuring out university life,” Greene said. “They often experience more anxiety about day-to-day tasks and social situations. We want to be sure they get class work done in a timely fashion and are aware of all the social opportunities on campus.”
The Autism Support Program’s staff members help students through registration and orientation, learning the campus, meeting and communicating with instructors, keeping up with course material and assignments, study skills and time management. Peer mentors help students become familiar with residence hall living and accompany students as they participate in a variety of social and extracurricular activities on campus.
The College of Education and Health Professions also offers several academic programs for professionals who work with students with autism spectrum disorders. In addition to a master’s degree in special education, the college offers a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders and a graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis. Special education faculty members provide services at the newly opened Applied Behavior Analysis Family Service and Research Clinic in the Epley Center for Health Professions and supervise graduate students working in the clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does the program offer?
The University of Arkansas Autism Support Program provides comprehensive services to our students in the areas of academics, social skills, and transitioning to independent adult roles. Academic coaches assist with content tutoring, time management, organization, and communicating successfully with instructors. Student life staff helps students manage dorm life, interact with peers, and take advantage of the myriad of clubs, sporting, and cultural opportunities on campus and in the community. Staff works closely with university faculty and various administrative offices including Enrollment Services, the Center for Educational Access, the Enhanced Learning Center, Residential Life, Student Activities, and the advising centers within each college. In addition, the director communicates regularly with parents regarding student progress and any concerns that may arise.
What kind of student is appropriate for the program?
Students with a diagnosis of high functioning autism, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, or non-verbal learning disability are eligible to apply. Students with other forms of learning disabilities or AD/HD may also be appropriate for the program. Students with major psychiatric disorders, a history of violence, or those requiring a one-on-one aid cannot be served adequately by this program and will not be admitted. Interested students must be accepted to the University of Arkansas and must meet the minimum requirements for admission. In order to be successful, students must be capable of doing college level work, motivated to attend and be productive during coaching and study hall sessions, and they must be able to live semi-independently away from home in a dorm.
What is the application process?
Students must apply to and be accepted by the University of Arkansas. Students must also apply to and be accepted by the University of Arkansas Autism Support Program. Students must complete the program's application and submit the following: a copy of the most recent IEP, ACT or SAT scores, two letters of recommendation from teachers or guidance counselors from high school that describe the student's ability to do college level academic work and services the student will likely need to be successful in a university environment, and a neuropsychological report stating the applicant's primary and any co-occurring diagnoses. In addition, applicants must visit the University of Arkansas campus and be interviewed by the program's director.
What are the application deadlines?
In order to be considered for fall admission, students must apply to the Autism Support Program by the previous May 1st. Students will be accepted as they apply, so interested students are encouraged to apply early while there are still spaces available.
Where do students live?
Freshmen live on campus in dorms and eat in university dining halls. The dorm to which our students have been assigned is arranged as a series of suites so that each student has his or her own bedroom and shares a bathroom with one other student. Students may sign up for meal plans that best suit their needs. Upperclassmen may live in university housing or in nearby apartment complexes. Students who live close to the University of Arkansas may live at home.
How much does the program cost?
The cost of the program is $5000.00 per semester. This fee is in addition to the tuition and housing fees due to the University of Arkansas.
How are students in the U of A Autism Support Program different from other U of A students?
Students in the U of A Autism Support Program are fully matriculated, degree-seeking University of Arkansas students. The only difference is the support our students receive. Students are not segregated in any way from the rest of the University of Arkansas student population.
For more information, please contact Dr. Aleza Greene, 479-595-6071, .