Abstract

Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome is both a practical and a personal account of one ASD student's successful experience of going to college.

This accessible book focuses on how to get there and stay there: deciding to go, how to get in and how to get the most out of it. Ann Palmer advises parents and professionals how to prepare the student for the transition from school and home life to a new environment and educational challenge, and how to support them through potential problems such as academic pressure, living away from home, social integration and appropriate levels of participation in college. She offers helpful strategies that will encourage and inspire parents and students and show that college can be a suitable option for students with an autism spectrum disorder, as well as the basis for a successful independent life later.

This book is essential reading for any parent considering college as an option for their child, disability service providers in colleges and for ASD students themselves.

Palmers interweaving of personal experiences (like preparing Eric for college) with general information and resources results in excellent guidance for ASD students in high school or college and their parents.
Library Journal
They say experience is the best teacher and there can be no better way to learn about coping with life's challenges than first-hand from others. The detailed and comprehensive scope of Ann Palmer's book about her experience of enabling her autistic son, Eric, to progress through school and into college, makes it a valuable resource.
Newscheck
Through "paving the way" and discussing the difficulties encountered at key stages in the education processes, the author clearly provides help and encouragement for parents of a child with Asperger syndrome. The main strength of the book, however, lies in its consideration of preparation for adult life within the further education system. There is clearly a sense of both stepping out, and of letting go, with the author again highlighting key stages in the process for both herself and her son'.
Teaching Fellows Journal
Palmer relates a humble, gracious story of squiring a high-functioning autistic son to college... She thoroughly addresse[s] questions of self-awareness, disclosure forms, Eric's capacities for self-help, orientation, time management and exploiting resources. There's plenty of practical information in these pages, particularly about the college classroom environment... A story that rings with love and support, and a drive to help Eric achieve his potential through meaningful, appropriate challenges.
Kirkus Reports
This is a guide book written (for all 'you fellow autism spectrum club members') to provide advice, reassurance, information and hope in supporting students on the autism spectrum to fulfil their dreams. It is a book both parents and teachers will find equally stimulating and immensely valuable... Ann Palmer tells the story of her son Eric's transition through school, highlighting the difficulties in the education system for children on the autism spectrum. The scope of Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome covers diagnosis, parental concerns, school experiences, and the realisation of the college dream. Each chapter deals with a different aspect of Eric's schooling and provides insights into how to access the school system to accommodate the needs of a child on the autism spectrum.
British Journal of Special Education
Realising the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome is both a practical and personal account of one ASD students successful experience of going to college. This book focuses on how to get there and stay there: deciding to go, how to get in and how to get the most out of it. Writer Ann Palmer advises parents and professionals how to prepare the student and the transition from school and home life to a new environment and educational challenge, and how to support them through potential problems such as academic pressure, living away from home , social integration and appropriate levels of participation in college. She offers helpful strategies to show that college can be a suitable option for students with an autism spectrum disorder, as well as the basis for a successful independent life later. The book is essential reading for any parent considering college as an option for their child, the disability service provided in colleges and for ASD students themselves'.
Autism US
Ann Palmer is married with three children, one of whom, Eric, was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. He is now 24. She has 13 years' experience working with families of individuals with autism at Division TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children). Ann coordinated a volunteer parent mentor program that provided support to over 800 families in North Carolina. In her current role as Director of Chapter Relations for the Autism Society of NC, she coordinates over 40 parent support groups throughout the state. She is also the co-author of Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. This book was the 2007 Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work of the Year.
This is a very comprehensive guide to college preparation, selection and success. The real-life, personal accounts of Ann Palmer and her son concerning his own path toward and through college life are a key and unique component to this work. I would buy this book if only for the excellent appendices!... Our international organization will use this book as a reference for years to come.
Susan J. Moreno, President, MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Palmer describes how parents can help children with autism or Asperger Syndrome attend college, using information, learned from assisting her own son. She details his diagnosis and experiences in elementary through high school, how to decide to go to college; safety, health, and academic issues; self help skills, time management, and orientation; adjustment; support services; self-awareness and self disclosure, the benefits of college; and what to do after college. The appendices contain an annotated list of useful books and websites and a sample self-disclosure form.
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