Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 7/17/2005

Question
Hello, My name is Alex and was diagnosed with High Functioning Espergers at a young age (and recomfirmed later on in life) and I have a few questions.

1. I am an excellent student. I have a 3.4 GPA average, I take AP/Honors courses, take part in after-school programs and have over 250 volunteer hours. I was wondering if you know of any grants/scholarships that exist that can help me get my way through college? Any information would be extremly helpful.

2. Is their any organizations for high functioning teens where they can discuss similair issues with life? I really have no problem with life, but I would really like to speak to a person who is similair in my condition or help them out.

Thank you for considering and reading my e-mail, your answer would mean a lot to me.  

Answer
Hi Alex,

Congratulations on your good academic record.  It will help you in your college journey.

While I do not know of a specific scholarship for Asperger's or HFA students, I do have a book recommendation for you.  It is "Ask and Tell" edited by Stephen Shore.  It deals with the problems encountered by HFA/AS students when they leave the public school and enter higher education.  His chapter, I believe Chapter 5, is the place to start.  The other chapters are written by people with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism who have experience in college.

As for meeting others like yourself, it depends heavily on where you live.  You are likely to find more HFA/AS students in college as many, like yourself, are highly successful in academics and love learning.  They tend to prosper in the intellectual environment of higher learning. Indeed, some never want to leave it.

Most colleges have a Disability Resource department, or something with a similar name.  At the moment, you may not feel you need them, but it's a good idea to find out who and where they are as the complexity of college life can bring up new challenges for you.  Also, they can point you toward any organized groups of HFA/AS students.

Also, a little Internet research might yield a social group near you or near the college you wish to attend.  Remember, however, socializing is not the greatest interest for many with Asperger's Syndrome.  The best opportunities may come in chance meetings.

Best Wishes,
Catherine