For autistic children, high school may not be the end of their education

By Staff Writer

Individuals with autism often have difficulties communicating in a social environment, exhibit significant language delays and have unusual behaviors. As a result, children with this disorder have trouble in school unless they enroll in a special needs education program.

Advances in programs such as these, like those found in therapeutic boarding schools, have led to more autistic children joining the college ranks and earning a postsecondary degree, The Brownsville Herald reports.

Experts told the news source that many children with autism do not graduate and attend college at age 18 or 19. Instead, they may graduate at 21 depending on their needs. They added that universities are not required to provide to same level of care as high schools, so individuals need to be proactive when they are entering higher learning institutions to continue their education.

Schools such as the University of Arizona, Marshall University and Georgia State University each have a specific program to help individuals who suffer from the condition to transition in to this new environment.

Experts noted that many colleges are beginning to incorporate online programs and small class settings to make autistic individuals more comfortable.