Navigating College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults

by Jim Sinclair (Contributor), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (Compilation), Melody Latimer (Compilation)

Leaving high school and going to college is complicated for everyone. But if you're a student on the autism spectrum who is about to enter higher education for the first time, it might be a little bit more complicated for you. Maybe you're worried about getting accommodations, getting places on time, or dealing with sensory issues in a new environment. Maybe you could use some advice on how to stay healthy at school, handle dating and relationships, or talk to your friends and classmates about your disability. Maybe you want to talk to someone who's already dealt with these issues. That's where we come in. Navigating College is an introduction to the college experience from those of us who've been there. The writers and contributors are Autistic adults, and we're giving you the advice that we wish someone could have given us when we headed off to college. We wish we could sit down and have a chat with each of you, to share our experiences and answer your questions. But since we can't teleport, and some of us have trouble meeting new people, this book is the next best thing. So as you go back to school, check out a copy of Navigating College for yourself or your loved one. We've done this all before--let us help you out.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

Reviews

[Heather Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the contributers to this book, Melody Latimer, touts themselves as an 'autistic consultant'. Before you read this book and mistake this person as an expert in the field, please go in knowing that they hold no degree whatsoever in psychology or any sort of specialty in autism, even minimal certified training. The author has experience working in an advocay group and claims to be autistic themseves, as well as started their own advocacy group. However, anyone can do that. The author, concernedly, omits educational and professional info about themselves, even on their professional website. That raises a huge red flag. They also are very well known in the community for spreading false idealology about certain therapies and misrepresenting facts and case studies to support their own agenda. One of the biggst things that concerns me, as well, is how they also seem to, in my opinion, exploit the LGBQT community by claiming to be a part of it themselves but it seems to me more like they are doing so, again, because of selfish agenda, rather than true support and care for the community. I would dissuade anyone from reading anything this person contributes in or writes, especially if you are a parent who has just learned your child is on the spectrum and are trying to find answers. You will instead get mostly personal opinion and politics, masked as truth and facts. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam artists out there who try to take advantage of others and, being on the spectrum myself, I have come across many, especially authors, who try to come across as legitimate experts and specialists. Melody Latimer, or Oswin as he is now, is one such scam artist, so please beware before you trust anything this person presents as 'factual' or 'scientific research'. Always be wary of authors, therapists, etc who claim ton be 'experts' but have no degree, certificate or provide any educational background.

[Anna Voight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good information, but pretty outdated overall. It focused a lot on stereotypical autism, and not Autism as a form of Neurodiversity.

[A.J. Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world has long needed this book. Nothing about us without us!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book written by eight autistic adults for autistic students, and it tackles a range of subjects related to transition to higher education. Writers explain how to access necessary accommodations at the college level, suggest tools to strengthen executive functioning in college settings, discuss ways to combat ableism on campus, and compare the merits and dangers of coming out to peers and professors as autistic (among a host of other relevant topics). It is a great example of the groundbreaking work ASAN does. As a non-autistic reader, but a SpEd teacher, I am highly motivated to ensure my future students have access to this publication.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Autistic adults who've been there and published by my favorite advocacy organization ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) this book is a life-saver reference about choosing a college, getting accommodations, living on campus and all the differences between high school and college life. The info about how and where ADA protections differ from IEPs is SUPER helpful.

[Danni Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource, full of helpful advice for Autistic students and students-to-be, much of which is also applicable for students who may be neuro-atypical in other ways.