Helpful Resources
Useful resources as you navigate life transitions with autism
College Readiness
College Autism Network
The College Autism Network is a nonprofit focused on improving access, experience and outcomes for autistic college students. Their efforts focus on student well-being, educational achievement and institutional responsiveness.
Going to College
A resource for teens with disabilities.
Think College
Think College focuses on improving higher education opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Think College also prioritizes equity and student-centered research.
Best Value Schools
Some colleges have developed support programs that uniquely cater to the needs of students on the spectrum.
National Education Association - Section 504, the ADA, and the IDEA
A detailed explanation of overlapping protections of Section 504 and the IDEA.
CLD College as a Realistic Option for Students with Learning Disabilities
A comprehensive approach to determining the transition plan and needs for students with learning disabilites.
APA Parent College Guide
A guide and FAQ for parents of students with disabilities
College Steps
Works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism-spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives.
CIP - College Internship Program
The College Internship Program (CIP) is a comprehensive transition program. for young adults on the Autism Spectrum and with Learning Differences. Attend a local college, university, or vocational program with CIP’s support and direction.
Autism Campus Prep
Autism Campus Prep (ACP) is a free online post-secondary preparedness course written by and for individuals on the autism spectrum together with The Sinneave Family Foundation.
Disability Rights, Education, Activism, & Mentoring Group for College Students with Disabilities
DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism, and Mentoring) is a national organization for and by college students with disabilities. It’s part of the federally funded National Center for College Students with Disabilities, based at the University of Minnesota’s Institute for Community Integration.
Career Guidance
Hire Autism
A job board specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Neurodiversity Hub
Changing the narrative on autism through awareness, education and engagement.
Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability-employment issues.
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop is the main career, training, and job search website for the U.S. Department of Labor.
My Next Move
This interactive tool allows students and job seekers to learn more about their career options with details on skills, salary and tasks.
Wingspans
Wingspan is an immersive platform designed to show students the world of work. They aim to share stories of professionals acorss a variety of industries so students can see all the ways they can create a career.
UC Berkeley Career Center
This career center offers a great exercise focused on knowing yourself as you explore career options. With a focus on skills, values and personality, these insightful exercises can help you navigate career transitions.
Broad Futures
Their mission is ‘to advance the inherent potential of young adults with learning disabilities in the workforce through partnerships that foster independence, self-advocacy and successful employment.’ The Broad Futures program focuses on professionalism, communication, stress tolerance using arts, yoga, and mindfulness.
Big Interview
Big Interview is a great resource to help you prepare for interview questions, practice with mock interview siutations and learn how to stand out from other job candidates. They also share resume examples and tips for those recently laid off.
Life Transitions
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity
The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) works with individuals, families, and professionals to help neurodiverse people build meaningful, connected lives. For over 27 years, AANE has been working toward their vision: a world where Autistic people belong and thrive.
Autism Grown Up
Autism Grown Up is an excellent resource focused on supporting autistic adults and their support network. Their vision is “a world where autistic people are seen, heard, appreciated, and loved for who they are.”
VCU Center for Autism Excellence - Transition to Adulthood
Adolescence is a difficult period in any person’s life. It is a time of great physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Skills You Need - Develop The Skills You Need For Life
Passionate about providing high-quality information and resources that help you learn and develop the skills you need to make the most of everyday life.
College Living Experience
The College Living Experience support students with learning differences while they pursue their academic and professional goals. CLE supports students as they learn to live independently and navigate adulthood.
EASE
Ease offers online classes & educational opportunities for Empowerment, Advocacy & Sexuality Education. Education about relationships and sex gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the ability to make informed and healthy choices and advocate for themselves.
General Autism Resources
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us.
Autism Society
The Autism Society of America works to improve the lives of all affected by autism through a system of local, affiliate chapters. The ASA focuses on creating a high quality of life, strong sense of dignity and value of unique skills and abilities for autistic people.
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
The Arc
With over 600 chapters, The Arc works on “promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.”
Asperger/Autism Spectrum Education Network
ASPEN provides families and individuals whose lives are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS, High Functioning Autism), and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities