The first semester at college is a struggle for everyone, but it’s especially difficult for an autistic person. Autistic people thrive on routine and familiarity and college is a whole different world. No one can prepare for everything but here’s some very basic tips to help prepare:
1. Take them to campus; let them wander around and explore the buildings and get comfortable with the sights and sounds.
2. Walk their class schedule before classes begin;having an established route and knowing the time it takes to walk from place to place in advance is important for comfort and time management.
3. Teach them about communal living; getting their clothes from the laundry immediately, sharing shower spaces.
4. Help them set up a new routine in advance; K-12 runs on a set schedule: you arrive at school, you have the same classes every day, and then you leave. It is rare to have a college schedule that follows that pattern. Find places to study and do assignments between classes.
5. Use reminders and alarms; There is no bell to tell you class is in session, having reminders set keeps you on top of your schedule. Use reminders for all the things you usually remind them to do.
