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This is another question regarding autism, and there are more individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome/HFA entering college. I was wondering why no individual with classic autism is or will be attending college?
There is a difference between high-functioning autism/Asperger’s Syndrome and classic autism. Classic autism, individuals develop language late in life or not at all, unlike AS/HFA where individuals develop language earlier in life.

It is not true that no individual with classic autism attends college. Some individuals with classic autism DO go to college or enroll in online college courses. Not everyone with autism can go to college though, for various reasons, such as:

- Some have severe cognitive disabilities, so the studies would be too complicated for them.
- Some have a severe speech delay, so they cannot communicate well or even at all. They may not understand speech well either.
- Some cannot read and write, due to cognitive disabilities.
- Some don’t know how to interact with other people.
- Some have behavior issues.
- Some have really bad sensory issues, so they couldn’t handle that sensory environment.
- Some have a very short attention span.
- Some don’t want to go to college.
- Some have been underestimated and have not had enough learning opportunities to prepare them for college, because of other people’s low expectations of them. It’s sometimes hard to know how much the autistic person understands if they cannot communicate well.

Whether or not they can go to college depends a lot on how well the individual can function. Colleges accept students that need reasonable accommodations. Sometimes reasonable accommodations are simply not enough, so some people (whether they are autistic or not) are unable to attend college. Colleges don’t change the curriculum for students who can’t handle the normal curriculum for whatever reason.

Honolulu Chiropractor: I just discovered this post and thought I’d share it. Check out their website.

Drums and Disabilities (DAD) is a non-profit organization that helps children and adults with autism, dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Tourettes, Asperger’s, Asperger’s, OCD, and ODD to deveop and expand retention, coordination, self-esteem, and physical and cognitive functioning, according to the Web site. 

Visit  http://www.dadprogram.org

Drum Therapy is “an intervention to provide the special needs community with the opportunity to participate in creative, verbal, and non-verbal expression.”  The organization will license psychologists, school systems, occupational therapists, physical therapists, music therapists, and teachers in the DAD method.

The DAD segments strengthen cognitive and social skills and offer a valuable diagnostic tool.  Participants meet goals and grow in self-esteem. 

The site tells us that the DAD program helps participants to

• improve their ability to identify feelings and behavior
• improve communication skills
• channel and discharge strong feelings safely through rhythm
• gain valuable insight into feelings and maladaptive thoughts
• demonstrate improved fine motor skills, retention, and coordination
• demonstrate improved psychomotor skills
• demonstrate improved social skills through a group activity
• gain self-confidence as a major participant in artistic projects
• demosntrate improved tolerance for frustration
• develop personal expression through creative artistic effort

In addition, there is an evaluation component.  A drum therapist is observing the participant in action, as well as the participant’s artwork, creative expression, verbalization, using the DAD Program Assessment.

And interdisciplinary conferences are held for parents, therapists and educators.

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