Going to college with Asperger’s Syndrome may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but believe me when I say that it really isn’t that difficult.
You don’t need to immediately hop right into a prestigious Ivy League college and shell out a fortune just as you’re starting your college life. Starting off college is easily achievable by finding a community college in your local area.
It isn’t as expensive as regular college. Another perk for community college is that if it’s local, you don’t have to pay for room and board. You can stay in the house you’ve been living in. I’ve done the exact same thing: started with community college and stayed with my parents, and it’s worked out greatly for me, so I would definitely recommend anyone with Asperger’s who wants to go to college to start off with a community college and earn their Associate’s Degree, and if they want to excel farther than that, they can transfer to a major college and receive a higher degree, which is the path I’m choosing. College doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you start off with small steps, then working your way to the top will be easy.
By: Samuel Allen
Update: Samuel received his Associates Degree Spring 2016 and is currently attending Texas A &M/San Antonio working toward a Bachelors Degree in Business Integrated Computer Information Systems. He still computes from home but is excited to get his own place upon graduation.
Gabriela Lemos was born in Porto Alegre, Brasil, and was raised in San Antonio, Texas. She is currently a student at UTSA, graduating in December 2014 with a Bachelor degree in English. Brie states that she loves language and words, and the way in which people communicate with each other. She has always been interested and attracted to the autism community. “I find those on the spectrum to be incredible in so many ways, and I believe we can all learn from each other in our different strengths and weaknesses. I would love to use my talents to aid those who are not as strong in areas which I have confidence, and in turn receive an infinite amount of lessons and aid from those who I work with. Everything you send out, comes back to you, and I plan to practice sending out love and compassion every day”. We feel so fortunate to offer Brie’s talent of writing as well as her passion for autism awareness every week through our Aspergers101 Weekly.
