Supporting autistic students at university

Bryan Coleman

Disability Support Office University of Manchester

Contents

• My background

• My understanding

• Planning for University

• Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

• Support at Manchester University

• Useful Links

My background

• Support Worker

• Support Worker Co-ordinator

• Disability Adviser/Officer

My understanding

• Individuals

• Routine and predictability

• Processing information

• The ‘unwritten rules’

• Executive Function

• Focus

Planning for University

• Familiarisation

• Orientation

• Applying for Disabled Students Allowance

• Discussions with social services

• Open Days

• Visits – accommodation, planning support with the disability adviser

Disabled Students Allowances…1

• Tick the box on-line• UCAS Category - B You have a social/communication

impairment such as Asperger's syndrome/other autistic spectrum disorder

• Paper DSA form is sent to you to complete

• ‘Medical evidence’ needed

• Eligibility agreed

• Assessment arranged

Disabled Students Allowances…2

• Assessment report completed & approved

• Support Approval sent to you

• Arrange delivery and support workers

• General allowance and travel costs

DSA Equipment

• Laptop or PC• Printer/Scanner/Copier• Digital Recorder• PDA?• ‘Texthelp’• ‘Dragon Dictate’• ‘Inspiration’• Training

Support at Manchester University

• Norman Darwen, Prospects Adviser

• One-to-one support

• Information/awareness sessions for staff

• Advocacy

• ‘Study buddies’, note-takers, and other support workers

• Planning ahead

Students at Manchester

• Approximately 40 current students

• Variety of PG & UG courses - Maths, Zoology, Physics, Political Science, Nursing, Engineering, Dentistry, Geography, Philosophy, Classics, Law etc

• Approximately 90 applicants

Common issues

• Diagnosis

• Disclosure/sharing information

• Support during non-teaching weeks

• Prompting

• Misunderstandings

• Accommodation

• Social issues

Useful Links

• Supporting Students with Asperger Syndromehttp://tinyurl.com/yjuk2ha

• Disabled Students Allowances:http://tinyurl.com/y9m4hm7

• SKILL – National Bureau for Students with Disabilities:www.skill.org.uk