Teaching University Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dr Kim Draisma is the former Head of Learning Development at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She has nearly 30 years of experience in Learning Development, having established the first learning support programmes and service at the university in 1985. During this time she has worked with numerous students on the spectrum and supported them to success.Dr Kimberley McMahon-Coleman is the current Disabilities Specialist in Learning Development at the University of Wollongong. She sees numerous students with ASD in one-to-one consultations each semester, and works with Disability Liaison staff to help students develop their academic proficiencies.

Academic staff, students who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their parents, need a comprehensive guide to successfully graduating from college or University. The explanations and recommendations in this book are based on extensive experience of supporting and explaining the thinking and needs of students who have an ASD, while understanding the perspectives of both staff and students. Academic success and graduation will now be much easier to achieve.

• Preface. 1. Introducing the University Student on the Spectrum. 2. Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits in the Classroom: Discipline Matches and Mismatches. 3. Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits in the Classroom: Interpreting Expectations and Codes of Conduct. 4. Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits in the Classroom: Rigidity of Thinking and Literal Thinking. 5. Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits in the Classroom: Project Planning and Multi-Tasking. 6. Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits in the Classroom: Self-Monitoring. 7. Autism Spectrum Disorder Traits in the Classroom: Central Coherence. 8. Conclusion. References.