In The News
The Model Asperger Program
Supporting Students with Aspergers Syndrome in College
2008 - 2009 Lecture Series
The Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Road, Rockville, MD 20854
AHEADD Founder, Carolyn Komich Hare, MS, was asked to lecture parents, professionals
and other care providers on how to support students with Asperger's Syndrome in
College. The presentation included what you should know, and work on, in Elementary,
Middle and High School.
>> (more)
USA Today
Autistic students get help navigating college
By Melissa Kossler Dutton, Associated Press
Published: July 8, 2008
When Dan Hackett started college, he didn't make the grades he knew he could.
Hackett, who has Asperger's syndrome, found at the Community College of Allegheny
County in Pittsburgh that some of his symptoms were holding him back. He had difficulty
organizing his time and managing assignments.
"I always knew I could do better," said Hackett.
His parents tried to help, but he wasn't comfortable with them intervening at college. He
was relieved to discover Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Developmental
Disabilities, a group that helps college students like him.
After contracting with AHEADD, Hackett's grade point average increased from 1.5 to 3.6.
>> (more)
The New York Times
A Dream Not Denied; Students on the Spectrum
By Abigal Sulivan Moore
Published: November 5, 2006
Valerie Kaplan has an aptitude for math, and scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. When her
high school classmates applauded the announcement at lunch, she was pleased. But
less obvious signals -- a raised eyebrow or impatient glance at a watch -- elude her. In an
advanced course at Carnegie Mellon called ''Building Virtual Worlds,'' that problem caused
classmates to sideline her in group projects. And during a critical meeting to win approval
for her customized major, electronic art, she intently circled the freckles on her arm with a
marker. >> (more)
The Chronicle of Higher Education
For the Learning Disabled, a Team Approach to College
By Sara Lipka
Published: December 15, 2006
Anna L. Gardner tried what she calls "college college." But soon after she enrolled at the
University of Denver last fall, Ms. Gardner — who has a developmental disability called
nonverbal learning disorder — started slipping. She fell behind in her classes and could
not catch up. The university's busy disability-services center offered her one advising
session a week, but that was not enough.
Ms. Gardner's disability makes it unusually hard for her to pick up nonverbal cues and
adapt to new situations. At Denver she struggled to make friends and feel at ease in a big
dorm. Last December she withdrew from the university and went home. "It was just too
much," she says. >> (more)
Asperger's Association of New England
ASPERGER U! Tips for Aspie Success in College
By Carolyn Komich Hare and Marie Hicks, LMHC
Published: Fall 2007
We are entering a new era! As the generation of children diagnosed in the late 1990’s
comes of age, following the 1994 entry of Asperger’s Syndrome into the DSM-IV, more
Aspies than ever are off to college. (“Aspie” is a name coined by adults with AS who are
active in the Asperger Pride movement.) Of course we all know there has always been an
AS presence on the college campus. (Tony Attwood has joked about going to the physics
or the engineering department and trying to find the neurotypicals!) Now more than ever
though, Aspies are entering college with a diagnosis. This puts them in a better position to
know what kinds of supports might be needed, and where trouble may be encountered, as
well as to be eligible for disability services. >> (more)
SPINS Newzine
He Graduated! Now What? It's Time To Get AHEADD
By Carolyn Komich Hare
Published: July 2007
Much attention is shifting toward our adult population with various learning differences and
the need to provide effective support services that maximize independence. More
specifically, there is a clear increase in focus toward providing appropriate postsecondary
support in higher education for students with High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s
Syndrome, Non Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
According to a recent NY Times article, ‘with earlier and better intervention, more of these
children are considering college, and parents, who have advanced them through each
grade with intensive therapies and unrelenting advocacy, are clamoring for the support
services to make that possible.’ Unlike many other (residential) programs for students
with various learning challenges in higher education, AHEADD (Achieving in Higher
Education with Autism and Developmental Disabilities) works with students in the college
environment and is currently serving students in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in Northern
Virginia. >> (more)
The Model Asperger Program
Supporting Students with Aspergers Syndrome in College
2008 - 2009 Lecture Series
The Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Road, Rockville, MD 20854
AHEADD Founder, Carolyn Komich Hare, MS, was asked to lecture parents, professionals
and other care providers on how to support students with Asperger's Syndrome in
College. The presentation included what you should know, and work on, in Elementary,
Middle and High School.
>> (more)
USA Today
Autistic students get help navigating college
By Melissa Kossler Dutton, Associated Press
Published: July 8, 2008
When Dan Hackett started college, he didn't make the grades he knew he could.
Hackett, who has Asperger's syndrome, found at the Community College of Allegheny
County in Pittsburgh that some of his symptoms were holding him back. He had difficulty
organizing his time and managing assignments.
"I always knew I could do better," said Hackett.
His parents tried to help, but he wasn't comfortable with them intervening at college. He
was relieved to discover Achieving in Higher Education with Autism/Developmental
Disabilities, a group that helps college students like him.
After contracting with AHEADD, Hackett's grade point average increased from 1.5 to 3.6.
>> (more)
The New York Times
A Dream Not Denied; Students on the Spectrum
By Abigal Sulivan Moore
Published: November 5, 2006
Valerie Kaplan has an aptitude for math, and scored a perfect 1600 on her SAT. When her
high school classmates applauded the announcement at lunch, she was pleased. But
less obvious signals -- a raised eyebrow or impatient glance at a watch -- elude her. In an
advanced course at Carnegie Mellon called ''Building Virtual Worlds,'' that problem caused
classmates to sideline her in group projects. And during a critical meeting to win approval
for her customized major, electronic art, she intently circled the freckles on her arm with a
marker. >> (more)
The Chronicle of Higher Education
For the Learning Disabled, a Team Approach to College
By Sara Lipka
Published: December 15, 2006
Anna L. Gardner tried what she calls "college college." But soon after she enrolled at the
University of Denver last fall, Ms. Gardner — who has a developmental disability called
nonverbal learning disorder — started slipping. She fell behind in her classes and could
not catch up. The university's busy disability-services center offered her one advising
session a week, but that was not enough.
Ms. Gardner's disability makes it unusually hard for her to pick up nonverbal cues and
adapt to new situations. At Denver she struggled to make friends and feel at ease in a big
dorm. Last December she withdrew from the university and went home. "It was just too
much," she says. >> (more)
Asperger's Association of New England
ASPERGER U! Tips for Aspie Success in College
By Carolyn Komich Hare and Marie Hicks, LMHC
Published: Fall 2007
We are entering a new era! As the generation of children diagnosed in the late 1990’s
comes of age, following the 1994 entry of Asperger’s Syndrome into the DSM-IV, more
Aspies than ever are off to college. (“Aspie” is a name coined by adults with AS who are
active in the Asperger Pride movement.) Of course we all know there has always been an
AS presence on the college campus. (Tony Attwood has joked about going to the physics
or the engineering department and trying to find the neurotypicals!) Now more than ever
though, Aspies are entering college with a diagnosis. This puts them in a better position to
know what kinds of supports might be needed, and where trouble may be encountered, as
well as to be eligible for disability services. >> (more)
SPINS Newzine
He Graduated! Now What? It's Time To Get AHEADD
By Carolyn Komich Hare
Published: July 2007
Much attention is shifting toward our adult population with various learning differences and
the need to provide effective support services that maximize independence. More
specifically, there is a clear increase in focus toward providing appropriate postsecondary
support in higher education for students with High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s
Syndrome, Non Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
According to a recent NY Times article, ‘with earlier and better intervention, more of these
children are considering college, and parents, who have advanced them through each
grade with intensive therapies and unrelenting advocacy, are clamoring for the support
services to make that possible.’ Unlike many other (residential) programs for students
with various learning challenges in higher education, AHEADD (Achieving in Higher
Education with Autism and Developmental Disabilities) works with students in the college
environment and is currently serving students in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in Northern
Virginia. >> (more)
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