An increasing number of students with autism spectrum disorder are accessing higher education in general, and California community colleges, in particular. Little is known about effective practices for preparing these students for college. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D, draws upon more than 30 years of experience as a disability support professional (i.e., recently retired from serving as the director of disability support services at the University of Connecticut, School of Law), consultant to higher education and K-12 professionals, and parent of a 27 year-old son on the spectrum, to highlight strategies that may be used to prepare individuals with autism for college. She presented on a webinar for California community colleges’ Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) directors/coordinators and staff, on February 19, 2019. Click on this link to access the audiovisual recording of the webinar:

A number of our California Community Colleges are doing amazing work to support the academic and workforce development goals of students with disabilities, using Adult Education Block Grant (AEBG) funding. The UCLA Tarjan Center in collaboration with Coast Adult Education Consortium, Marin Adult Education, North Orange County Regional Consortium for Adult Education, Rancho Santiago Adult Education Consortium, and South Orange County Regional Consortium will provide a webinar on Adult Education Block Grant (AEBG): Is Disability Support Services (DSS) at the Table? A recording of the webinar may be accessed here:

As part of a needs assessment, the Tarjan Center conducted a survey of the California community colleges to learn what gaps in knowledge existed regarding DSPS’ capacity to support students with autism. An analysis of the feedback we received led to the development of a webinar that addressed the following topics: 1) Student Academic Skills, 2) Student Self-Determination Skills, 3) Student Expectations, 4) Faculty Attitudinal Barriers, 5) Best Practices in Educational Assistance for Students with Autism, 6) The Educational Impacts of Autism Faculty Development Activities, and 7) Setting up and Managing Peer Tutoring and/or Peer Mentoring Programs.

The Tarjan Center provided a webinar for California Community Colleges’ Disability Support Services’ professionals on the Paid Internship Program (PIP).  It is being administered by the California Department of Developmental Services. PIP provides $10,400 per intern, per year to cover wages during a paid internship. The California Blueprint for Competitive Integrated Employment and Local Partnership Agreements were discussed. A recording of the webinar may be accessed here:

A webinar was provided for California Community Colleges’ Disabled Student Programs and Services Coordinators to provide an overview of the Student Equity program and to offer insights on how it relates to supporting students with disabilities. One college provided examples of how the equity program was used to provide services to assist students to complete college coursework. A recording of the webinar that was presented on May 18th can be accessed here:

A presentation was made by staff from the Department of Developmental Services and the Association of Regional Center Agencies to the California Community Colleges on two recently authorized programs (i.e., the Competitive Integrated Employment Incentives Program, and the Paid Internship Program). Through the incentive program, up to $3,750 per California Regional Center client is available for regional center vendors who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to transition from school to competitive integrated employment; and through the paid internship program, up to $10,400 is available per intern, each fiscal year to cover paid internship wages for a regional center client, as a pathway to competitive integrated employment. A recording of the webinar is available here:

Under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education may provide federal financial aid to students with intellectual disabilities. In order to obtain federal aid, the institution must be eligible and the student must be eligible. Lindsay Eigenauer presents to colleagues in higher education on the CTP application process. A recording of this webinar may be accessed here:

An increasing number of students with diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism are enrolling at higher education institutions. This webinar was provided for community college and other higher education professionals who have more than a basic understanding of some of the strategies that are used to accommodate and support students with ASD in the college environment. A recording of the webinar is available here:

California Community College administrators and disability services professionals have indicated that increasingly they have observed a larger number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college. Recent survey results indicated that training on strategies for supporting these students is needed. Dr. Nicole Smith provided a number of strategies for professionals in higher education to consider and to implement supports for students with ASD. A recording of this webinar may be accessed here:

The Regional Centers of California may provide services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to assist with participation in postsecondary education and career development. The information provided by Holly Tracy provides insights on some of these supports that are referred to as Tailored Day Services. A recording of this webinar is available here: