Chapter 6: Think Differently
Intro
If your child is in high school, chances are that your friends are in a frenzy about now. They’re touring college campuses and sharing notes about business programs and sports teams. They may be driving their kids to SAT prep classes on weekends and nudging their kids to start thinking about their college essays. They are probably complaining about all this work, but you know they’re proud of their children and their accomplishments.
They should be proud of their kids, just as you are proud of yours. But, if we’re being totally honest, it does feel a little alienating, because you don’t have those same options. That’s okay. We have options, too.
On top of all the college talk among your friends, your school and community may be bragging about the kids going off to fancy colleges with pictures on social media and the school newsletter. The bulletin boards in the school hallway may be covered with information about ivy-league colleges. Your guidance counselor probably doesn’t know about college programs for students with disabilities, so you’re searching for information on Google.
Hugs. You’ve found your people. This book is for you. We’re square peg families, and we’re proud about it.
This chapter will provide a broad overview of the higher ed landscape for neurodiverse students, with greater details to follow in subsequent chapters. Because each of our kids has their own flavor of autism, not all these options will be right for your child at this moment. I’ll discuss the traditional college options, alternative college programs, and non-college routes.
But mostly, my goal in this chapter is to get you thinking differently. Colleges have some great new opportunities for neurodiverse kids. There are ways to retrofit the traditional systems to work for our kids. I want to you to consider those options, for sure. I also want you to think about how your child can approach college differently than other kids — gradually and incrementally. I want you to understand the options outside of college.
In the next few years, you’ll be working just as hard as your friends, but in your own way. I want you to brag about it, too. Your kid is just as awesome as the kids who are choosing between Harvard and Yale. So, tell your mom friends about the special program at the autism college. Post pictures on Facebook. Share your story with others, and you’ll feel the love.
Get excited because this is a great time for you and your child.
Apt. 11d 