Helping ASD students in university

[edin16]

I work in a university running the practical classroom (think labs, art classrooms, sports) for those type of degrees. As part of the student settling in those with ASD have been offered a tour of these facilities prior to starting their course. They will be in these classrooms on and off every week for the four years they are there, most of the time there will be between 25-60 students in these classes.

I've volunteered to do this tour for them. Those with ASD or parents of those with ASD, what would you have found helpful to know at this point?

I guess just what to expect from the different types of sessions. Maybe demonstrate equipment they will be using if that’s appropriate? You might want to make sure you can talk about the support offered to students by the university generally, DSA, IEPs etc.

@scrunchSE18
Different equipment is a good shout...I could stick to the first trimester stuff for now.
My part is a small part of the visit so the disability inclusion team will also be there to go over the more general stuff too.

Thank you foe doing this, you will be able to make a huge difference to ASD students’ experience. I’d suggest:

Explain where each type of equipment is kept and provide a plan or map of this dor each room.
Be clear on opening/access times and how to book space (preferably online rather than verbally)
Note what to do if there is a breakage or equipment is missing or unavailable.
Demo equipment where apllicable.
Can you consider giving them your email address so that they can contact you directly with any questions?
provide photos of staff who can help with queries or who they may see in the spaces.
Explain any rules or restrictions around usage of spaces or equipment.

if you can, give all of this information in written format to reflect on, keep and refer to, with diagrams and photos if possible.

Thanks again, I hope that my DC’s uni does this in a couple of years time.

Not forcing them to pair up with total strangers is a useful one, and something that was written into my Access Statement.

I think a bit is about managing expectations, schools provide more support to ASD students than universities can so it is about being prepared. Questions I have been asked by parents in the past include:
— Do you have a quiet room they can use if feeling overwhelmed?
— would they have a mentor/assistant?
— Is there a fridge or microwave nearby and if so, are UG students allowed to use them?
— what kind of support they can receive if they have a statement?

I suggest you invite someone from disability services to talk about possible answers as most of the questions might not be about the labs.

Thanks everyone, this is useful info. I'll reach out to the disability team who are running the event and see what sort of information they are giving out and either incorporate some of our information or I'll make a little fact sheet with everything you've said.