Academic Supports
The Access Plus program works with the following offices within the Division of Student Affairs and The College of Undergraduate Studies to provide academic support to each student:
- Office of Student Disability Services: a plan of individual accommodations to meet the academic and/or housing needs of each student will be developed. At the beginning of each semester, accommodations are reviewed and appropriate faculty are notified.
- Office of Career Development
- Office of Orientation
- Office of Undergraduate Admissions
- Tutoring and Testing Center
- Undergraduate Academic Advising Center
- NSU Writing and Communication Center
Residential Supports
It is anticipated that the students who participate in this program will live on NSU’s campus with options in a variety of housing assignments across campus.
- Housing accommodations: due to their needs for a low sensory environment, difficulty with social interactions, and/or organizational challenges.
- Residential Advisors, where the Access Plus students are placed, receive training in Autism Spectrum Disorder and the students’ social, behavioral, and organizational needs.
- Additionally there is a 24-hour telephone line in order to handle any serious challenges that arise.
- Support in keeping their living spaces organized and clean, developing and maintaining schedules to ensure attendance at classes and completion of assignments, and prompting to ensure personal hygiene if indicated on their individual plan.
Campus-Life/Social Supports
Students in the Access Plus program will be encouraged to participate in the extracurricular activities on campus with support from the Access Plus staff and peer mentors, if necessary.
- Receive assistance in planning weekend activities on campus and in the community to ensure that they have a meaningful and enjoyable college experience.
- Activities will be focused and goal directed to help the students with ASD fit into the social fabric of the university and to develop friendships.
Psycho-Educational Support Groups
Weekly, hour-long psycho-educational groups will be provided for all students in the program.
- Focus on information exchange, skill building, reflection and reporting individual progress.
- Topics to be addressed will be driven by the needs of the students and may include: College and the Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Success in the Classroom; Cause and Effect; Relationships; Vocations and Careers; Midterm Exams; Building My Reputation on Campus; Overcoming Obstacles on Life’s Path; Academic Potpourri; Financial Literacy; Self-Advocacy; and Preparing for Finals.
Vocational Experiences and Career Placement
One of the issues faced by all college graduates is the ability to plan for the next steps post-graduation. The Access Plus program provides focused support in this area.
- Coordination between the Office of Career Development and NSU
- Career planning is a part of the curriculum of the weekly group meetings that are offered to students in the Access Plus program.
- Will explore career opportunities during the last two years of the program. This will allow for experience and mentoring in job interview techniques, appropriate dress and demeanor, social skill building, and on the job training for the purpose of meeting the challenges of securing and maintaining a job after graduation.
- Coaching regarding building a resume and developing professional relationships will also be provided.
- The job experiences offered may be on campus or off, for on a volunteer basis or for payment.