University students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Learning, socialisation and future prospects
Carolina Coco, Ezio Elasdi, Gabriele Baldo, Paola Venuti
The authors will attempt to define the structure of psychological support provided to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at the University of Trento as part of the Psychological Counselling Service provided by the University. Since 2009, special attention has been paid to students with ASD who enrol at the university and a support model has been created, based upon individual care, work on the academic environment to raise awareness on the neurodiversity of students with ASD and finally, support for the family, who face their child’s request for autonomy with many doubts, fears and perplexities because of their evident difficulties. The methodology the model is based upon, which is suited to the idiosyncrasies of individual cases and of the type of difficulties encountered by students, is structured around initial exploratory interviews, in-depth diagnostic processes, and individual and group therapeutic support not only for the student, but also for the university context they live in and for their families.
Keywords
Higher education, undergraduates with ASD, psychological support, academic support, families support.
