By, Kerry Magro 2016 Texas Transition Conference Starting a Non-Profit for Students with Autism In 2011 started KFM Making a Difference. Helps those with special needs with the transition to adulthood. For the past two years have also held autism- friendly Santa events. My story From early intervention to graduating with a masters degree. Tips on self-advocacy, accommodations, and spreading disability awareness! Partner up with the person next to you and spend the next 5 minutes answering this question. What has been one of your earliest memories of being introduced to the topic of disabilities in college? Ive spoken at over 500 events in the past five years. Lets talk about how we can collaborate at your next event at Kerrymagro.com/contact Available on Amazon Features Temple Grandin Stephen Shore, Kerry Magro Available via Autism Speaks at Autismspeaks.org/toolkits Weve given out 20 scholarships for students with autism to attend college! Apply today at... Kerrymagro.com/philanthropy Scholarship Winner Slide One of the first certified public speakers with autism in the country! Gave my very first TED Talk on college opportunities for those with disabilities Watch it here: Post-Secondary Self-Advocacy continued Extended time on tests Note taker for all my classes One of the first RAs with autism in the country Found my niche by joining school clubs related to my major (making friends) Pursued a Masters degree What got me to where I am today We need to teach the way these children learn Getting involved with theater to build on communication and understanding others perspectives. Social story therapy, visual schedules, self-reflection exercises Stretch these students! Find their strengths and provide them with opportunities! 1 in 5 Americans has a disability (49.5 million) 15% of worlds population has a diagnosed disability (over 1 billion people) U.S Education Department Study says disabled students are less than half as likely as their typical peers to attend college two years out of high school What you need to know about students with Partner up with the person next to you and spend the next 5 minutes answering this question. What is one tip you would give someone who is preparing their child and/or student for college who has a disability? Bonus: Tweet me your favorite part of todaysActivity I Had NO Idea I wouldnt have an IEP. No one prepared me for that transition to 504 Reasonable Accommodations. Having students understand their IEPs Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Must include transition planning services for all special education students at age 16 Understanding 504 Section Plan What accommodations are offered? Taped books Readers or scribes Note-takers Across to the instructors notes Extended time for assignments and tests Transitioning to Talk to your guidance counselor at your school Ask questions to students and teacher Set up an appointment to talk to the schools disability support director Consider what options are out there Four-Year College Two-Year College Community College Vocational/Technical/Trade Schools Exploring Your Post- Secondary Options Wanted to just get in somewhere Applied to 15 different colleges Ended up getting accepted into all 15. Several had disability support programs. Ended up going to a school with less supports because they had a major I loved. My experience with post- secondary Take one or more classes at a college for credit. Transition teachers from school will work with you outside of school Helps you to begin to get used to the college setting while still in high school Consider Dual It is highly recommended that students with a disability self-identify with their on-campus disability office for support and accommodations immediately after applying for admission to the college. If you are paying to attend school you might as well make sure you get the accommodations that you need! Had to give a form to each one of my professors asking for accommodations and that I have a diagnosed learning disability Came out in my first class about being on the autism spectrum Decided to become a disability advocate My experience with Time-management between classes Living in the dorms Sensory issues (unexpected noises or touching, sensitivity to light). Having communication and social difficulties. Not wanting to go to post-secondary originally. Wanted to take a year off. Not motivated. My challenges with Partner up with the person next to you and spend the next 5 minutes answering this question. What is one resource that youd recommend for anyone interested in learning more about an education for individuals with disabilities? Bonus: Tweet me your favorite part of todaysActivity 1.Scan: Where is the challenge? What is causing the difficulty? Challenges may present themselves in any of these three domains: Sensory issues, or how we perceive the environment Cognitive Processes, or how we think Socio-emotional, or perception social cues and how we feel 2. Advocacy Explaining your needs to promote greater understanding in a way that enables the other to provide assistance. 3.The reason for your asking for an accommodation or greater understanding. Disclosure may be... Partial, and only note the specific characteristic of autism affecting a given situation. Full, which includes mentioning the diagnosis Three Steps to Self-Advocacy in Seeking Accommodations Receiving accommodations if living on campus Building on social skills Time management Keep a daily journal and calendar of your events Write down what you accomplished that day and what youd like to accomplish tomorrow Campus If on campus make sure to use RAs and RDs in dorms for assistance Go to Freshman ice breakers Sign up for at least one club or activity Seek out a mentor or group whenever possible to show you the ropes Coordinate with Disability Support Services if you need accommodations to attend these events Exercise! Social Utilize assistive technology whenever you can! Dragon Dictation, app can be used to record speech during class and convert it into written text: Described and Captioned Media Program: U.S. Department of Education funds a media library of over 4,00 free education titles: inClass: Organizer for class materials in a single app Flashcards Deluxe. App that allows students to add images to online flash cards. Additional resources See if there are any resources in your area! National Center for Learning Disabilities Learning Disabilities Association of America LDOnline (ran by PBS and highlights stories of those with disabilities) ThinkCollege.Net Additional If youve met one individual with a disability, youve met one individual with a disability. It is never too early to start planning for that transition to college. Make sure these kids are involved in the process! Positive reinforcement and sharing case studies of those succeeding in school with a disability is crucial! Make sure people know that theres hope out there!