Date and Time:
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
3:00 PM -
Presented by: Amy Matthews, Ph.D., Psychology Department, GVSU
Autism spectrum disorders: In the news and on campus
It would be hard not to notice all the media attention paid to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past few years. The increased interest is due to many factors including the rapid increase in the rate of ASD along with the intriguing nature of the disorder, which has led to news articles, movies, and television shows focused on ASD and funding and research targeted to understanding causes and treatments. Much has been learned about individuals with ASD from research to first person perspectives, however much is still unknown and the long term outcomes for people on the spectrum vary widely. Because 70% of individuals now identified with ASD are under age 14, communities are not fully prepared for the surge of young adults who will be seeking college, employment, and living opportunities in the community. Although universities, such as GVSU, have had students on the spectrum enrolled as students for years, these students who are academically capable often struggle with campus life. As we anticipate a rising number of students with ASD on campus, who can bring diversity and extraordinary talents, it behooves us to become knowledgeable and skilled at not only accepting their differences but embracing their potential to enrich and enliven the campus community.