Conduct and Students on the Autism Spectrum Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D., University of Connecticut School of Law Yale Child Study College Autism Spectrum Lisa King St. Katherine University College Autism Spectrum

College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission Behavioral Disability Rigid, stereotyped behavior and/or mannerisms Unusual, repetitive preoccupation with objects or ideas Social behavior may be awkward or misunderstood

College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission Interpersonal Disability Core social skills Lack social awareness, naïve, indifferent or anxious Approach often awkward & effortful “Intuitive social knowledge” (Tanguay, 2001) Bully magnets

College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission Communication Processing incoming information Reading between the lines Determining implicit as well as explicit directions Asking too many questions

Clear Behavioral Requirements Behavioral standards & expectations must be explicit Student & family need to understand because this is different from high school Standards are not subject to accommodation Make sure student understands the rules and the consequences for breaking them College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Conduct codes: We tell students what not to do… We do not tell student what they should do! College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Conduct code reversal College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission  Practice civil and courteous behavior wherever you are on campus, in and out of the classroom  Arrive and be ready to learn when the class is scheduled to begin (notebooks and pens ready, cell phones off.)  Only leave and re-enter the classroom for a very good reason, and get the instructor’s permission before the class begins. Classroom disruption is difficult for both the instructor and the other students.  Read and understand the class syllabus. Andrew Cox, Cayuga Community College

Conduct Code Continued College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission  Understand and practice the rules and expectations of the instructor regarding the use of cell phones and electronic devices  Respect what other students and instructors have to say, and listen to viewpoints other than your own.  Be aware of your own body language as 90% of communication is non-verbal. Avoid rolling your eyes, sighing loudly or folding your arms in disgust.

Continued Practice good etiquette, especially for on-line courses in which may be a primary method of communication. Read all and respond (if necessary) in an appropriate manner. Andrew Cox, Cayuga Community College College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Classroom strategies Cards White boards 5 point scale Clear instructions College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Campus Public Safety Conduct codes Stalking Personal safety Emergency procedures (fire drills, etc.) College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Counseling Center Might get calls about AS student ◦ From faculty ◦ From public safety ◦ From administrative offices Can be an important ally But, may not really “get” AS and need information College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Judicial and Conduct College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Judicial Affairs Judicial Affairs Conduct codes are strictly applied ◦ Academic ◦ Residential ◦ Community Disability is not an excuse for breach of conduct Some behaviors may be translated to judicial affairs so that they may understand the context (e.g. stalking) Make sure student understands the rules and the consequences for breaking them College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

AND DISABILITY NEVER EXCUSES BEHAVIOR College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Some Conduct is Caused by Overstimulation Sensory Integration Dysfunction Lights Music Beds and furniture General residence hall noise Fire alarms/lock downs College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Conduct Boards and Hearings Accommodate the Process Train Judicial Board Use a trained advocate/”interpreter” College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Academic Misconduct ??? Claim by Student 5/14: “It has been noted that many students with ASD do have trouble with false plagiarism charges because of their memory. Those that have this problem are not able to distinguish what they memorize and what are their own words. We see these words as our own in our thoughts, and we do not go to sites or books to copy.” College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Cases

College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission Leave with a challenge… Leave with a challenge… The student is not the only locus of change 21 Wolf, Thierfeld Brown, King, Bork, 2012 CollegeAutismSpectrum.com Do Not Reproduce

College Autism Spectrum Do Not Reproduce College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission

Wolf, Thierfeld Brown, King, Bork, 2012 CollegeAutismSpectrum.com Do Not Reproduce College Autism Spectrum 2015 Do not use without permission Questions and Comments Thank you for coming. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D Lisa King, MEd