My son just finished his first semester at college, and it has turned out to be a really good experience so far.
He had many challenges in high school (ADD inattentive, then experienced seizures that required medication that severely affect cognition), and he was a good student, but right up until the very end, we had to support him a lot. He was mainstreamed in a challenging high school, so that helped a bit with the transition to college.
In the summer of his junior year, he read the book "Colleges That Change Lives," and we traveled the midsection of the country in search of possible schools. We looked at Ursinus, Denison, Allegheny, Wentworth, Hampshire and Beloit. All good colleges with what seemed to be nice, small campuses and some good programs. My son decided upon Earlham College in Indiana ... this school does NOT have a dedicated program for people on the spectrum, but it seems like a lot of people on the spectrum end up there. He has received good direction and help from the Academic Enrichment Center there. The whole "feeling" of the school is cooperative, NOT competitive. Having said that, I don't feel like my son is being coddled. He is socializing, and enjoying his classes and professors. He is independent, and yet receiving some help when he needs it. It has turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life. I think that this school deserves a good look by any students on the spectrum, and it seems to be good in either the arts or the sciences. It's about 1200 students total, so it's like attending a large high school ... but so far, my son doesn't seem to have any complaints. He just received his first grades, and considering the fact that it's his first semester, we are very happy with the grades in that they are good, but he received a very realistic poor grade in his hardest class. The other thing is that this school's sticker price is shocking, but all students receive a good amount of financial aid. One should not be scared off by the cost.
Just a suggestion that your daughter look into Earlham, as it has been very good for my son.
27 Dec 2014, 9:17 am
