Resources

Autism or (ASD) describes a range of conditions that are characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. An estimated 2.3% of children have been identified with ASD. Students with ASD especially gravitate towards a STEM major, with 34.3% of this population compared to 22.8% of the general population. However, students with ASD face many challenges during post-secondary education that interfere with their ability to succeed. These may include but are not limited to challenges associated with cognitive processing of learning material, communication with peers and instructors, sensory processing, and social interactions. This group is dedicated to supporting the challenges of ASD students in the Physical Sciences.

 

 

UCI Goals in Action (GIA) program (Fall 2024)

• 5-week program (1.5 hours per week) to develop academic skills
• Identify your strengths and resources (e.g., ways to reach out
  to professors, community supports, etc.) to thrive academically.
• Build healthy skills to manage stressors and time, and finding
  balance with meeting personal and academic demands.
• Next offering: Fall 2024. Sign up here

Know your rights, know your resources: Disability Townhall (2/21/2024)

• This townhall discussed ADA resources, the state of disability resources at UCI. Resources that emerged from this meeting:
• Disability resource Jamboard (UCInetID required)
• Overview of Disability-Related Departments at UCI document
• UC Office of President Students with Disabilities Workgroup Final Report

Establishing a Disability Cultural Center at UCI (updated 8/2023)

• The Neurodiversity Support Group presented challenges that neurodivergent students face at UCI and presented its vision on how some of these issues could be addressed through establishing a Disability Cultural Center at UCI. Information about the presentation and report can be requested here.

Autism-Related Internships & Scholarships (updated 4/21/2023)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• RespectAbility Apprenticeships (RespectAbility) – Gain skills and contacts while making a positive difference for people with disabilities (virtual program)
• Autism Campus Inclusion (Autism Self Advocacy Network/ASAN) – Learn to make college campuses better for individuals with disabilities by making student groups, understanding disability policy, and talking to people in power
• iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3) at UT Austin – Prepares students from underrepresented populations for graduate study and careers in the information sciences
• NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship – High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in media, communications, or entertainment industries who will be enrolled in college or a university during Fall 2023 are eligible. Each recipient will receive $5,625 to help cover the cost of education at their college or university.
• Vanderbilt University First Center for Autism and Innovation – Intern at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, focusing on STEM learning and research

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collegiate Autism Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• College Autism Network – College Autism Network (CAN) – Improves access, experiences, and outcomes for postsecondary students with autism.